The Democratic advocate., 1893-04-01
Select Storp,
HIS LADDIE'S EASTER AWAKENING.


For long time the little white-washed
cottage of the Collins family had been
what Major Felix Winslow was pleased to
call San cyesore" to his aristocratic eyes.
1t was, on no account, and under no cir
breath with the elegant bay-windowed,
veraudaed, and cupolaed structure which
the Winslows called home There should
have been an interval of an hour (or, at
the very least, three-quarters of an hour
between the two subjects, according to the
idea of the Major; but, in truth, profane
people, without the least idea of ceremony
or of the fitness of things, just jumbled
them up in the same sentence. Actually
did that very thing Men of sense, too J
Il don't see why the Major doesn't buy
out old Collins and extend his lawn,
Judge Clayton remarked to companion
one day, as he wended his way down street
to the Court House. 81 wonder he does
Mt tear the old shanty down, and run his
grounds over to the corner.
Just as if the Major had not repeatedly
urged Adam Collins to sell, had not fumed
and fretted at Adam Collins till he was
weary with much urging, fuming, and
fretting.
He had offered good price for the
''shanty,n bat as it was all Adam had, an
inheritance from lis father, too, he had
declined Besides, it would take a good
deal Of money 10 build, and no other
place. SO the mother and children declared,
would ever be so home-like. Then, build
ing-lots were scarce He was not bound
to sell; was under no obligations whatever
to his more fortunate neighbor, and SO the
little cottage, which, despite the innumer-
able spring coatings of whitewash admins
tered by Jed, in his best and most artistic
manner, showed unmistakable signs Of de-
cay, remained intact, and sheltered as hap
py and contented little flock as any in
the town.
Adam went on his way, gave no atten-
ton to other peoples affairs, paid his all
lotted amount of taxes in spring and fall
iustallments, drove his team week days,
and wore his best blue coat on Sunday.
Besides, these duties, he took the children
out for walk-out in the country for a
bit of green like his boyhoods farm-when
Sunday-school was over in the afternoon,
so that the mother could take short nap,
and have few undisturbed moments for
reading
In the meantime the Major hurled some
very ill-sounding words at the shanty
across the way, and at the shanty's owner,
and never failed to apologize for its being
when he showed his friends over his beau
tiful home
The only member Of the Winslow fami-
ly who held any communication with the
cottage, after they found that Mr. Collins
vas settled in his confounded obstinacy"
to use the Majors mildest words-was
Earl, the son and heir of his devoted par
ents; Earl, who was to accomplish wonders
in the world, to attain to any and all
heights of fame that could be scaled; Earl,
who vas to acquire the wisdom of the an
clients, if wealth and the wisest scholars of
the age could bring that result to pass.
Money, expense, time, patience, labor, and
anything else necessary, were to be lavish
" devoted to attain all the ambitious ends
his father had in view In reality, Earl
secuted at the idea of governesses or tu-
tors, blinded his sweet blue eyes to the
heights of fame awaiting him, and took
more solid delight in spinning tops in the
Collins back yard with Ben, or eating
Tildas parched corn in the kitchen, or
even in teaching Mint to frame the words
of Mother Goose in her lisping accents
her rendition of the Tween of Hearts
being EarIs special delight,--it looked ex-
ceedingly ungrateful, but it was true, that
this jolly little democrat preferred any one
Of III Sc pastilnes to sitting down in the
elegant drawing-room by himself, and
looking at the lovliest picture-book that
ever came from the city.
Ben Collins and Earl Van Dyke Win
slow we're Of the same age, had the same
day for birthday, and that eyensfnl day
was Easter 1t was fast drawing near,