The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-02-08

they are very nice boys" persisted
Lettice.
"They are much like their father,
believe"
"Oh," said Lettice, laughing, 81 car
tame young bears; it is only the full
grown specimen, with sharp teeth anC
| long claws, l am afraid of. ONLY
think" and demure, apprehensivt
expression came over Letty's round
! blooming countenance, she goes al
around the house all day long anC
never says word to any one."
"He must be a savage indeed" Oh
served the gentleman.
"And Miss Electa Easterham, the old
maid aunt who keeps house for him,
has quarreled successively with every
governess they have had" went on
Lefty, patting her little foot on the
rustling straw on the stage floor, "but
she shall not quarrel with me. won't
let her. l am too good-natured and
too accustomed to humoring people,
especially old ones. Nine. Moligny
wrote me word that she disliked young
and pretty governesses particularly.
Now, I'm not young-not very young,
you see."
MOP"
Il was twenty last week." said Lefty,
solemnly, "and l am not pretty enough
to disturb her mind. l am only toler-
ably decent-looking. Now, if madame
had selected Olive Dayton. who used
to be in the same class with me-she
was regular beauty, with great shady
eyes and a complexion all pearls and
roses-there would have been danger
then"
The stranger began to look inte-
rested.
"Tell me more about your school"
said he. Il have sister whom think
of placing in some desirable institu-
ton, and should like to Judge whether
gour Nine. Moligny's would be good
home for her."
Letty's eyes frightened, her cheeks
Redeemed and her little tongue was
unloosed at once. Her travelling COM
panion was social and chatty and the
time feeted swiftly away.
"You are going" she cried, as at a
lonely inn, overshadowed with silver
stemmed birches and funereal spruce
woods, light sleigh drawn by two
milk-white horses, was waiting.
81 have reached the end of nv jour
ney," he said, courteously touching his
fur cap, Il mad intended to keep on to
the end of the route, but | see they
have sent to meet me here. / wish
you every success and happiness in
your bear-taming."
And as the slei gh-bells jingled away
Lefty found herself flushing deeply.
Pm afraid I've been talking too
much," thought Lefty, "but what is a
body to do, shut up all day in a stage
coach with conversable gentleman?"
And the rest of Miss Mainwaring's
journey was just little tedious.
1t was dusk when they arrived at
Easterham hall-a snowy, chill dusk
which made the glow of lights through
scarlet moreen curtains and the coral
shine of a great wood fire in stone-
paved hall, as seen through the half
open door, most delightful and well
come.
Aunt Electa, tall, prim old lady in
snowy cap-ribbons and a brown-satin
dress, stood ready to welcome her, and
just behind her Lefty saw tall gen.
tleman with two little boys clinging
about him.
"This is my nephew Philip" the old
lady said, and Lefty felt as if the blood
in her veins were turning to fire as she
recognized her travelling companion Of
the day.
"Do 1 look very much like bear,
Miss MainwaringP he asked, laughing
as she stood trem milling and tongue-tied
before him. mo, don't color. prom
Use you to allow myself to become
very tameable. And you must not
cry, either" as the tears came into
Letty's eyes. There's nothing for you
to cry for"
"Why didn't you tell me who you
wereP" she asked piteously.
Because you didn't ask me-"
Lefty resolved that she would leave
Easterham hall the very next day. But
she didn't keep the resolution.
At the next years end she had
neither quarreled with Aunt Electa
nor Mr.. Easterham, and the little
boys thought Miss Lefty" was perfec-
ton So did their father.
Lefty" said he, "the year for which
l engaged you is over"
Eyes" she responded, softly.
"Will you stay another year? Will
you stay with me always, Letty?"
And so. within the yellow shine of a
wedding ring, Lefty found herself a
prisoner forever at Easterham hall.
Business a Secondary Matter.
"I will detain you, ma'am," said the
peddler, opening his pack, "only a"
"But don't want to buy anything"
she interrupted.
moment or two," he went on, tax
ing out cake of reddish transparent
soap. my object in calling"
"Is to introduce to your notice q
superior brand Of"
"I've got no time to listen to you,
sir!"
"Sassafras soap. guarantee this
soap, madam, to remove grease spots
from rag carpet or a lace curtain
without particle of injury to either.
AS a"
"How many more times have 1 got
to tell you," said the woman, raising
her voice, "that l don't want any
thing!"
Shaving soap" persisted the pedd-
ler, raising his voice also, Il can recon-
mend it as the best in use. 1t makes a
beautiful"
"Of all the bold, impudent creatures
1 ever saw you are the boldest!"
Creamy lather, that does not dry
on the face. Used according to direc-
tions it will cure chaps, remove
freckles, obliterate tan and sunburn,
and"
"Take it somewhere else! 1 don't
want it," she vociferated, shutting the
door in his face.
"Wash stains out of marble and
furniture" yelled the peddler, without
leaving mark of any kind on their
polished surface. To introduce the
soap into this neighborhood am sell
ing it at 10 cents cake, and don't
care pinch of salt whether you buy
it or not, ma'am! Do you hear thatg
I'm paid by the day to go round and
get off this speech, and when Istrike a
house." he continued. in voice that
Jared the windows, "I'm going to get
it off if have to howl it down the
chimney! That's all I've got to say
this time, ma'am, and I'll be around
here again in exactly thirty daysw
He turned on his heel, wiped the
perspiration from his face, took chew
of tobacco, and moved on toward the