The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-03-11

on his hands and knees, giving vent to an
energetic imitation of a violent watchdog.
He looked up as we came into view, and
stopped suddenly. .-SG..z ...ss.> :.
''ln the name of sense. Mckenzie,
what ails you?' inquired my grandpa
ther. "....
calls me-" replied the gentleman, get
ting up from his knees. and wiping his
face, still read from recent exertions, on
the black silk handkerchief which formed
part of his mourning outfit. calls me 7?
Nothing ails me. Didn't you tell me
yourself to take port wine and bark ?
Eve taken the port Wine and now Pm
barking"
At Miss Harryetta's wedding the Gus
tomary punch bowl was omitted on ac-
count of her sisters strict views on the
subject of temperance. TO my grand
fathers prediction that she would make
everybody at the supper i'll if there was
no wine or brandy she replied that she
would arrange all; And she did: "Can
quired. as we sat at breakfast the MORN
ing after the wedding, ''what was the
matter with the ice cream and cake we
had over yOnder last night?" and he
nodded his head aggressiyely toward the
scene of the recent festivities.
YES" replied my grandmother, laugh
ing. II can. Regina said she was afraid
(lNI oOIACOHC "Oulu ulSluC Ill NY lLC
supper. SO she put magnesia in the icing
and little paragOric in the ice cream"
Not long after Miss Harryetta's re-
turn, Miss Regina became very ill-so
i'll, indeed, that her recovery was impos-
sible. 1t was the conviction that her days
| We're numbered that had influenced her
to arrange Miss Harryetta's marriage,
upon herself, and she wished most earn
! estly to alleviate the bitterness of the
coming separation.
1t came, even sooner than she had an
ticipated. One afternoon was sent for
to 20 to her at once. ''Caroline," she
said, her voice breaking suddenly upon the
silence, Il have sent for this child that
my life: l hope it may be a lesson to
him. Harryetta, have you done what
wished?' Miss Harryetta. who was
kneeling beside her, responded softly,
Yes, sister,
Then take the child with you. and
let him be a witness of it..
Silently we went down the stairs and
through the hallway, into the old garedn
behind the house. In the center of the
enclosure was a fountain which usually
cast its cool spray on the green sward
about it, but it was silent today. and its
basin was dry. Piled beside it were doz-
ems of bottles filled with the fine old wines
belonging to Miss Regina's father, and
close at hand stood Uncle Manual, the
butler. As we came up, Miss Harryetta
made gesture (she could not speak,, and
he quickly drew the cork from the first
bottle and handed it to her, and she, still
silent. poured it into the stone basin be-
fore her. | remember how the pungent
odor of the cognac filled the air and the
rich red of the burgundy stained the
white rim Of the fountain. Bottle after
bottle, was emptied, until none remained,
and then we turned, Miss Harryetta and
l, and went back as we had come.
Miss Regina was watching for us, and
greeted us as we crossed the threshold.
rs it all gone, Harryetta?" she inquired.
Yes, sister,
Did you break the bottle, Harry
etta?"
mo, sister,
Then go back and break every one of
then.'
Overcome by the solemnity of the
scene, l slipped down beside my grand
mothers chair, and, holding her hand,
sobbed nervously. She soothed me with
loving whispers, and ut last grew quiet
and leaned against her knee, my eyes
fixed upon the open door through which
Miss Harryetta had disappeared. The
creeping in between the shutters, fell
upon the opposite wall. bringing into
clearer view the picture of the marriage
of John Rolfe and Pocahontas framed by
the doorway. The picturesque figures of
the colonists and the gay trappings of the
Indians emerged from the shadows about
them, and stood out in bold relief before
me. Suddenly from the garden below
rose clear and distinct the sound of the
shivering of glass; it was repeated again
and again.
Miss Regina smiled as she listened to
the musical repetition. Nov my work
here is ended" she whispered.-New
York Evening Post.