Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-06-10

as we cOuld make IL, Wnen at last the
carriage drove up with our dear inva-
lid, Jim, and Martha. Mother was
very pale and propped up by pillows,
and was worrying over the necessity
of her walking upstairs, when out
walked our two hired mon, without
any orders whatever, raised her ten
derly and gently, pillows and all, in
their arms. and carried her upstairs as
carefully as her own sons, had she
ever had any. could have done. Jim
stared, as we'll she might, and Martha
muttered "Holy Moses as she made
a dive for the kitchen.
Teddy paid the men; Jim and I did
the last few things necessary before
resting, and then we all gathered in
mothers room. Such q chattering as
followed, the dear mother laughing
as merrily as any of us.
But, oh! what guys you two are"
cried Jim. Tom, you've torn your
self, as usual, wherever there was the
smallest opening for rent, and your
cap is hanging half way down your
back. while your hair defies descrip-
tion. Teddy always does keep nice,
somehow, but now-even Teddy will
bear an application of soap and wa
ter"
Same to yourself" said Teddy. Il
guess you sent all the mirrors away be.
fore you washed your face. You've
got what Martha calls 'smooch' right
across your nose."
Don't be personal, young ladies.
said mother, in tone of extreme gen.
tleness, but perform you ablutions,
and see if Martha can make out a
tea"
In fortnight we had settled down
in the new house, but we did not oc-
cupy ourselves, as of old, in beautify.
ing our home. We were advertising
far and wide for house such as we
wished, and we hoped to purchase
one. The price Of the one we had left
was beyond our reach, but we thought
We could hear of one at more rea-
sonable rate. During this time of
waiting, feeling as if we really had no
home, we had gone out but little.
Mother was not we'll, and the heat was
very oppressive, while Martha's lame
wrist threw considerable of the house.
work on our hands. But one evening
there came an irresistible invitation
from mothers dear, old friend, Mrs.
Raymond, of Chester Grove, to gar
den party and dance.
You will stay all night, of course"
she wrote, land I will send the car
riage for you at 2 o'clock. Be sure
you all come. I cannot spare one of
you'll"
But we did not all go. Mother was
not equal to the eight-mile drive, and
Jim stayed with her. We all wanted
to stay, and finally drew lots, and it fell
to Jim.
I'm not really out, anyhow" said
that young person, philosophically,
land as you and Teddy seem awfully
slow about leaving the family nest, per-
haps it is just as we'll that 1 am not
brought forward just yet"
"The effect will be overwhelming
when you are" said Teddy. laughing,
but secretly we all thought Jim the
beauty of the family. for, with the
golden hair, she had soft brown eyes
and dark lashes.
1t was with the utmost serenity that
Teddy and I accepted Mrs. Raymond's
invitation to stroll about the grounds
little with her, and see some new neigh
bors only lately come to live at Ches.
ter Grove. We we're arrayed in the
finest of linen lawns. white, with a
small blue figure, with blue belts and
white muslin shade hats with blue
bows. Blue neckties, knots of blue in
our curls, and blue-trimmed white
gloves constituted our costumes, and I
can answer for Teddy's being exceed
ingly becoming. Strolling leisurely
along, we met two gentlemen in white
linen suits and straw hats; we heard
Mrs. Raymond say:
ALLOW me to introduce the Messrs.
Townsend, lately returned from Europe.
Mr.. John Townsend, Miss Theodosia
Brent, Mr.. William Townsend, Miss
Thomasine Brent"
I thought was going to faint I
heard Teddy gasp. I saw Mrs. Ray
mond sail majestically away, and then
l looked again. Yes. it was Bill" and
Teddy was blushing, with dropping
eyes, before John"
Would you please forgive us ?"
said John, presently. I'VE had Just
come over to Dolliver, and had heard
for the first time that there was any
personal feeling involved in the sale Of
our fathers property, which we had
regarded as q mere business transac-
tion. We were coming up the street
beside your house, when we saw your
distress, and, having nothing to do, we
took of our coats and vests and hats,
and rubbed little mud on our faces
and hands, and"
1T was just for lark, you know"
pleaded Bill, as his brother paused,
land you did look just ready to cry.
you know"
1T was very good of you," said
Teddy, looking very much as Bill had
just described her.
"Yes, we are very much obliged" I
said, thinking of all they had heard us
say about them, and wondering how
much they remembered. But, some-
how, just then we all looked up, and in
another second the air was filled with
laughter. 1t was irresistible The
whole affair was too funny.
After that, we were the best of
friends. The Townsends came often to
Jenk's Corner, and when Jim comes out
regularly, next winter, she will have no
sisterly compunctions about Teddy or
me, because there will be a double