The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-10-05
SWEET NELLY e
q HUNTINGDON.
CHAPTER I.

AaGkU 5 dis WllC us uIly VI Gil. isla@.s
''Why does papa hate them 50, nurse,
and why won't he ever let their names
be lnentioned?'
ITS a long story, Miss Nelly, and
ats been the same for the last five gen
,er:itiolis a family quarrel; but I sup
pose it III die out with your papa, now
hes got no son to leave the old hatred
to.
But nurse, were they all really so
bad:''
"Wcll, my dear, don't know; we've
all been taught to think so ever si''Cc
we were children. and, of course, my I
father and grandfather took tl"ir MAJ
tiers side, and hadn't q good word for
The Langhrl'nes; hut their own people
stick to 'em through thick and thin,
and say a n,ore generous, high spirited
family never l,reathed. They've al
ways been rather Wild lot: but then.
dear, rs the sayin' u.s. The old gentle
uan himself is1.'t as black as he is
ypaintrd.'
But why did Ne quarrel with them?
what begun it ALL
s'Well, dear the first beginning was 4
bad one, and it never healed up, and
so it's gone on and on up to this very
day. And I must say the Langholmes
have been willing to make it up, and
the old lord would have been quite
Friendly, only your papa was set against
at, and turned lis back UPON him BE-
fore the whole huntiDg-feld."
"But, nurse, want to get at the story
and yoC won't come to it," and pretty
Nelly Huntingdon torped little impa-
4ient foot on the polish ed floor of the
'ho,.sekeeper's' room.
'*NYy dear, 1 think your papa would
be displased with me if I was to tell
you"
But papa won't know
well, Miss Nelly, you know that's
worse, to do things behind peoples
backs YOU wouldn't do to their faces"
Miss Nelly perchad herself Oh tlc high
wooden table in front of the latticctl
window. and crancd her pretty neck
out to pull a great cluster of the old.
fashioned red roses with open yellow
.ren!,.rs that nodded over the TROLLS
work
Now" she said. fastening them in
the front of her White dress. and swing.
ting her little feet to and fro, "go on,
Nurse
''!ts time for ne to see to the JAM"
cried Wilson (who acted as nurse and
'n@tssGkeeper), jumping up and bust]ing
off into the kit chen.
\ pout came over N1lly's mignorne
white face, and presently she slipped
down from her perch and slipped off
unto the big kitchen to see what was
going on. A strong smell Of preserves
came down The long. cool passage. and
when the young lady went in OH tip
toe through the open door; there stood
Wilson in front Of an enormous copper
lpan- stirring with a great spoon
aAmorgst the seething fruit.
Let me TASTE" said Nelly, going up
softly behind, and making nurse jump
lat the unexpected sound.
There now, Miss Nelly, you've made
INC burn my fingers, and the kitchens
sZo place for young ladies'"
Nov I've got so far, once in my life,
I mean to stop and see all there is 70
I've seen," said Miss Huntingdon, reso-
:1ute1y; and with that she seated herself
ION the kitchen table in her favorite
attitude, and proceeded to take a sur
vey. A great, lofty, airy apartment
was the same kitchen, with wide win
dows looking on great herb garden,
bordered by a warren, where you saw
thousands of rabbits kicking up their
SrOlicsome heels, and displaying their
white brushes as they scuttled along
Along one side Of the wall hung great
FURNISHED copper pans and cleaning
dish covers, with a rack full OF plates
enough to have dined a small regiment
On the dresser lay Il great yellow bowl
of peas, with bunch of aromatic mint
and there were cucumbers and fresh
green lettuces, and dishes Of raspber
'Yies, and much store Of garden-Stuf
Cook had jealousy retreated into the
>scullery; she did not like any interfer
,ance in her domain; but Wilson had
made the jam for the last five-and
twenty years, and was not likely to give
in to cook now.
My dear, do mild where you set!'
she said, turning a little testify to hel
nursing. ~"I'm sure the kitchens no
{, place for young ladies. specially :
table as you don't know what ma,
have been split upon
TITS quite clean, you old fidget!'
:cried Nelly, rubbing her dainty finger
along the polished surface. "Why,
.can nearly see my face in it. Civ
yme some jam to taste.'
II suppose you don't want to burr
your tongue. my dear? and it won
be ready for ten minutes by the cloc]
yet"
I'll keep watch over the time. o.
dear! what tiresome, laN,ing oil
clock it is-tick-tick, ticK-tick I be
HeSe IL only goes one nOur TO lou
of any other in the house."
We'll, now, Miss Nelly, if you onl
~okkypied yourself q little more. 20
wouldn't find the time hang so heav
'an your hands"
What could one possibly find to d
this broiling afternoon?'
"a roasting fire won't help to max
yoU cooler, my dear"
''Oh! Of couse you want me to e
you old crosspatch but I sha'nt.
shall wait till you have finished the ian
and poured it into every one of thos
white jars, and then I shall go BAG
into the room with you and have tt
and a nice thick slice Of bread an
Jam. and you'll tell me the story
the family feud.'
"Well!' said nurse, looking up, vii
the red light Of the reflected strawbe
-qies Shining ON her comely face, 81 s1
pose youth have your own way, and
,xyo1l fo If fret 1os