The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-05

them the evil eHects OF
habit of contradicting, which they
have SO often been told is ill-manner-
ed, ill-bred, unlady-like, and I'M
gentleman-like.
1 am the only child of disting-
uished family of the Katy Dids,whose
musical talents are so we'll known In
the forest world. l was born on the
top of a very high tree, and ever since
that time | have heard from all my
friends, that there never was such
beautiful, lively, interesting little
creature as l am. Indeed | think
must be very lovely, for every one
around me has always told me so, and
seems to consider that it is more i'm
portant to crafty my wishes than to
do anything else.
My father and mother are both
very amiable and intelligent people,
and know of no fault in their char
acter, except most inveterate habit
of contradicting. So singularly per-
severing are they in this practice,
that when some dispute has arisen as
to whether l have or have not done
certain thing, | have known them sit
up all night to contradict each other.
NY father would sit on pine-tree,
and say "Katy did," and my mother
would sit on maple-tree and say
"Katy didn't" from sunset until SUM-
rise, and then after resting through
the day they would begin again, and
continue on through another night.
Considering the example set before
me, it is not singular that | should
have acquired the same pernicious
habit which, as | am about to show,
has proved so serious misfortune.
When l arrived at the age ofeight-
cen months, the period at which we
Katy dds "come out" as the fash
ionables have it, there was great
excitement among all my friends and
relatives, as to the most suitable
mode of celebrating so important an
event. 1t was finally concluded that
it was best to give splendid ball, to
which all the gentleman and lady
insects in the vicinity should be in
vited. Great preparations were ac-
cordingly made for the occasion.
The place selected for the fete, was a
sweet little nook, under Towering
hawthorn, one beautiful moonlight
evening.
The most genteel and fashionable
spiders were employed to weave the
silken tapestry, and all the glow
worms and fire-fies sent in their bril-
Iiants to ornament the room. The
brass band, consisting of sixteen
negro crickets, were engaged to furn-
ash the music, and every other ar
rangement was in the same style of
elegance and splendor.
As for myself, all the mantua max
ing silk worms were busy for month
beforehand, in gossiping, and plann-
ing the style of my dress for the even
ing. 1t was finally agreed that a
light pea green satin, ornamented
with silver, would best accord with
the time, place, and occasion.
feel some hesitation in mention
ing the fact, but the truth is, there
was gentleman in the vicinity who
had for several months paid me the
most fattering attentions, and by the
smiles and whispers of my friends,
<for cannot mention what were the
whispers of the young gentleman,) l
was led to believe that when my ia
Their selected him for my attendant on
this occasion, there was some proba-
bility of an event which my refine
ment prevents me from mentioning,
The name of the gentleman was Col.
Bundle Bee. He was most elegant