Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-04-01


able one. He had
essS never realized be-
fore how entirely
his daughters had shielded him from
all the friction of life. Now that they
had not only ceased to protect him. but
had themselves become a source OF
trouble to him, he began to understand
how great the blessing was which ne
had enjoyed. and to sigh for the happy
days before his girls had come under
the influence of his neighnor
You don't look happy Mrs. West
macott had remarked to him one morn
ing. You are pale and little off color
You should come with me for ten mile
spin upon the tandem"
II am troubled about my girls" They
were walking up and down in the gar
den. From time to time there sounded
from the house behind them the long,
sad wall of French horn.
That is Ida," said he. "She has
taken to practicing on that dreadful
instrument in the intervals of her chem
istry. And Clara is quite as bad. I de-
clare 1t is getting quite uncomfortable. ."
"Ah, Doctor, Doctor! she CRIED shak-
ing her forefnger, with CLEAN Of her
white teeth. You must live up to your
principles-you must give your daugh-
tiers the same liberty as you advocate
for other women"
Liberty. madam, certainly! But
this approaches to license
The same law for all, my friend
She tapped him reprovingly on the arm
with her sunshade. when you We're
twenty your father did not, presume,
object to your learning chemistry or
playing a musical instrument You
would have thought it tyranny if he
had"
But there is such sudden change
in them BOTH
Yes, I have noticed that they have
been very enthusiastic lately in the
cause of liberty. OF all my disciples
think that they promise to be the most
devoted and consistent which is the
more natural since their father is one
of. our most trusted champions"
The Doctor gave a witch of impa-
thence. Il seem to have lost all author
ity," he cried.
mo. no. my dear friend. They are
little exuberant at having broken the
trammels Of custom. That is ALL
You cannot think what I have to
put up with. madam. 1t has been
dreadful experience. Last night,
after had extinguished the candle in
my bedroom, I placed my foot upon
something smooth and hard, which
scuttled from under me. Imagine my
horror! lit the gas, and came upon
well-grown tortoise which Clara has
thought fit to introduce into the house.
I call it a filthy custom to lsave such
pets"
Mrs. Westmacott dropped him lit
tie courtesy. Thank you, SIR" said
she. THAT is nice little side hit at
my poor Eliza"
II give you my word that had for
gotten about her. cried the Doctor.
flushing. Zone such pet may no doubt
be endured, but two are more than
can bear. Ida has a monkey which
lives on the curtain rod. II is a most
dreadful creature 1t will remain abb
solutely motionless until it sees that
you have forgotten its presence, and
then it will suddenly bound from pict-
ure to picture all round the walls, and
end by swinging down on the bell-rope
and jumping on to the top Of your head.
At breakfast it stole a poached egg
and daubed it all over the door handle.
Ida calls these outrages amusing
tricks"
ooh, all will come right" said the
widow reassuringly.
"And Clara is as bad, Clara who used
to be SO good and sweet, the very inn
age of her poor mother. She insists
upon this preposterous scheme Of being
pilot. and will talk of nothing but
revolving lights and hidden rocks. and
codes Of signals, and nonsense Of the
kind"
But why preposterous? asked his
companion. what nobler occupation
can there be than that of stimulating
commerce. and aiding the mariner to
ekn F1Vxr sv,H< TcI,~
your daughter admirably adapted for
such duties"
''Then I must beg to differ from you.
madam"
Still, you are inconsistent"
Excuse me. madam, do not see the
matter in the same light. And I should
be obliged to you if you would use your
influence with my daughter to dissuade
her"
you wish me to be inconsistent,
too"
"Then you refuse?"
II am afraid that cannot interfere"
The Doctor was very angry. VERY
well. madam" said he. I'm that case
can only say that have the honor
to wish you very good morning."
He raised his broad straw hat and
strobe away up the gravel path, while
the widow looked after him with twink
ling eyes. She was surprised herself
to find that she liked the Doctor better
the more masculine and aggressive he
became. 1t was unreasonable and
against all principle, and yet so 1t was
and no argument could mend the mat
ter.
Very hot and very angry. the Doctor
retired into his room and sat down 70
read his paper. Ida had retired, and
the distant walls Of the bugle showed