St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-12-02
The Three Inseparables
A Boarding School Story.
THE three ''inseparables

THE three ''inseparables'' were sit
ting in the bay window of Doll,
Rivers room at the Misses Primrose,
boarding school for young ladies ant
looking as glum as could be. And thi.
will seem strange when l tell you tina
the Christmas holidays were only ter
days off, and their young heads should
have been full of such joyous things a:
visions of home comings, sleigh rides
and plum puddings.
The trouble was this: Both Dollie
and Julia Norris had received note
saying that their midyear examina
tions in English history and geography
had been SO poor that unless they were
prepared to take another examination
in each study before they went home
for Christmas the Misses Primrose
would be obliged to give them home
work to do.
Now, to have to study during the
holidays was too horrible to contem-
plate. 1t would spoil half their fun,
and, moreover, it was disgrace which
both girls would have felt keenly.
Edna had invited both Julia and
Dclly home with her for the holidays,
as Julia's home was in the far west and
Dclly's sole relative-her father-was
still abroad.
Isn't it too dreadful for anything!"
exclaimed Dolly, with tears in her eyes,
as she gazed blankly at the note.
Il see nothing for us to do but to
burn the midnight oil between now and
the holiday time," said Julia, despond-
emily.
what! Study your eyes red and
worry yourselves half to death just to
please our dear teachers?" demanded
Edna '.Why, won't hear of it. So just
put that idea out of your head at once"
Edna was healthy, robust girl of Is,
and, being older than her two friends,
she had assumed a sort of guardian
ship over them which they did not dis
pute.
'.All right, Edna" said Dolly, meek
". Il am not oyer-anXious to work my
self sick, but what do you propose to
do?"
Let me have till tomorrow morning
to think out plan, and I'll promise you
to find way out of your trouble"
The next morning at breakfast tele
gram was brought to Edna. She opened
it. frowned and bit her lip. so pro-
voking.' she murmured.
Il trust there is nothing wrong at
home, Miss Edna!" said Miss Tabitha
Primrose, looking over her spectacles
at her pupil
why, my cousin Nora, who lives but
a few miles from here, wants me to
spend couple of days with her. She is
not well and her husband is away on
business. She says the carriage will be
here for me in an hour or So" replied
Edna, as she handed the telegram
across the table to Miss Tabitha.
Il am very sorry to have you miss
any recitations at this time" said Mss
Primrose. .But Of course you must 60
if you think it is necessary"
.'Yes, think l had better go," replied
Edna, and, hurrying through the meal,
she excused herself, and went TO her |
room and got ready for her departure.
You're nice one!" cried Dolly,
running off in this fash
ion, when you promised to get us out Of |
our scrape."
Edna burst out laughing.
MY dear children" she began, ''this |
visit of mine is simply part of my
little scheme to help you out of your
scrape."
Edna went to her little desk and
picked up some slips of paper.
Here girls" she said, take these
papers. They contain list of ques
tions in English history and geography.
Learn the answers perfectly. 1t won't
take you long. Now, my dears.' she
went on, don't be surprised at what
may happen during the next two or
hree days. All ask of YOU is to learn
the answers to these questions and give
them when they are asked of you. And
now, good-by for little while"
But Edna" cried Julia, "please tell
is more What does all this mean?"
1.-The less you know-now-the less
ianger there is of my little plan going
miss" retorted Edna, and not another
word could her friends draw out of her.
That night at dinner Miss Tabitha
made the following announcement to
he school:
Il have just received letter from
Hiss Mary Clark, who is $50 she in
orms mel a teacher in a southern school
or girls. She says that she has heard
II our excellent method of instruction 9
md she is going to take the liberty
IS she expresses it-of calling here to-
morrow. She would like to spend few ];
lonrs attending our various classes
With the idea Of studying our methods. s
Il need not tell you." Miss Tabitha
dded. that shall be most pleased to |
Miss Clark, who, / am sure,
must be very fine woman, judging |
rom her nice letter. Of course, trust I
III you young ladies will make it your
peclal duty TO be well prepared for to- II
norrow's reeitations, as I shall natur- /
lily feel pride in your making good :
howlng before strange teacher"
Dolly looked at Julia ard Julia looked =
I Dolly. Then they grew red in the
ace- Presently they both stole from !,
he table and went straight for Dolly's :
DOM.
What can it mean?" burst out Dolly.
Yen don't think that-that---
"Oh. no! It's just coincidenceI
hats all" replied Julia. Just the =
anne. we had better study the oues-
ions Edna told US to. and tonight" e