La Junta tribune., 1899-02-04
AN ANXIOUS MOTHER.

though l had been "a subscriber for IA
years and had sent large po. OF my own
clotted cream with the inquiry So 1 cut
open the pages with trembling fingers and
almost dropped the paper in surprise at
finding my pseudonym displayed among
the answers to correspondents.
| 'AnSious Mother-It Is, as you say
most unfortunate that your son should
unexpectedly decide to come home, Just
when you have invited an attractive niece
whom you do not regard AN eligible
partie. With little tact ON your part, it
should be easy To prevent the young people
from forming an attachment but on no
account should you warn them against so
doing or endeavor to keep them apart. A
spirit of opposition is unfortunately In !.
herent in young people. and to act AS you
suggest would only have the effect OF slim
ulatinR desire for the forbidden fruit
Your wisest plan is to impress upon them
both the necessity of giving up their favor
lite pursuits-she her painting, and he his
athletics 1--WE quite agree with you that
football is brutal game)-so as to be
company for one another. In this way
you will infallibly check any desire for
much companienship. Do not fail to write
to us again. The clotted cream which nc
companied your letter was excellent and
ihihihtcrcu Rrcotiy 10 our creature COM
forts"
The wisdom of this advice seemed so
evident that / had no hesitation in acting
upon it. Things seem so much clearer
when you see them in print,
''Addic," said To my niece, II am
afraid that 1t will upset your plans dread
fully, but there is no help for it-Charlie
is coming home tomorrow
"Oh'' said she cheerfully. THAT will
be nice for you, won't IL. auntief"
Yes, said /, .'of course 1t will be nice
for me. But l was thinking OF you, my
dear" wanted to make her feel aggriev
ed. you see, mt the outset.
II don't see why 1t should be a trouble
to me, aunfie," she answered, opening
her big eyes wide, in that Innocent way
she has. There is no Disgusting the fnct
that her manner and appearance are such
ns to a young man might appear interest
ing and attractive. Indeed" she con-
tinued, II am very curious to see Charlie
again after all these years. He used to be
such nice boy. I'm sure l shall like
him." 1t was good thing evidently that
l Ind taken advice.
He is still very nice" informed her,
with an appearance Of candor, but / am
afraid he will be rather draw back to
your painting. You see, my dear young
Iuch eAptCu huCD . iOb vi dtttntlOu HOW
adays."
DO theyy I've generally found 1t the
other way" She laughed mischievously.
1t is a sincere sort of laugh, like grown
up child's, and could not help feeling
that it would sound very pleasant-to q
young man.
~ dare say you have, Addie,' replied
grayely. But you see the case is different
when young man comes home to q
mother who has always spoiled him-I
fear" l sighed.
"a little spelling is good for young peo-
pie II they're nice naturally, dad says"
she assured me. Tom always had foolish
theories about such things.
'.You sec,'' remarked deprecatingly,
'.he Is used to having his convenience
studied in all the arrangements Of the
house.
Am I an arrangement" she inquired,
laughing again. "What shall be expect
ed to dor"
WELL" apologized, "Charlie is rather
fond OF company, so expect he will want
you to go out with him good deal. l
fear that it may rather interfere with your
painting"
"Oh, can always get up In the morn
ing and make up time" she replied con-
solingly.
I1c may hSh you ~ kO nhu WheSh nm
training" said, shaking my head. '.He
runs round and round the long path, you
know, and likes some one to take watch
and count how many times he goes round. /"
.'Oh, well, that won't make serious
inrosd ON my leisure. He can't run all
day."
Of football matches That you cannot be
expected to do said firmly.
''Oh, how delightful The foolish
child actually clapped her hands. II love
football above evcrythingv' Idon't know
what the women of the present day are
coming to.
Anyhow / am afraid you will find
poor Charlie a terrible distraction. /
must confess, too, that he is rather given
TO teasing"
80" said she. with mischievous
twinkle In her eye, "am
81 do hope you will not quarrel"
begged, land that you will give him as
much OF your society as you can. want
the dear fellow to enjoy himself"
..Now don't you worry. you dear old
| auntie, " she replied. shaking one finger
| At me. "Charlie and I are going to be
great friends. I've q way wild the men,.
don't you know.
She kissed me with q rush and set my
can straight again an go and look up
nv finery to charm his eyes" She tripped
of, singing "Chariie is my darling, and
| vainly tried to feel quite satisfied at the
success Of my plan. Moreover. could
| not resist a feeling that was not netting
quito straigbtfOrwa artlly with her. Poor
| little Addie! She is . bonny girl. II
only poor Tom hadn't been 70 improvi-
| denti
Well, Charlie came home and took Us
all by storm as usual, and from the first
look which fe gave her began to have
INV fears. "Of course. mother! he said