Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-12-21


full shade Of auburn. Aunt Patience
presently called up the stairs, "Ain't
you got the beds made yet. Marion?"
eyes, ma'am." answered Marion. Her
voice trembled. for she was crying.
'Then don't stay moping up there in
the cold, or the first thing you'n be
falling asleep"
The little girl tried hastily to hide
the traces of her tears, but her eyes
were red when she came into the din
ing room.
"What's the matter, Mary Ann?'' ask
ed Jim.
Marion disliked to be called Mary
Ann, and she did not answer.
"Been mapping already this morning,
Mary Ann" asked Jack
"Say, Mary Ann. Mary AnnI'' con
tinued Cathie.
81 would thank you to call me by my
| proper name," said Marion when she
could endure the teasing no longer.
"You know well enough that my name
is not Mary Ann
Marion, your hair is awful red when
the sun shines on it." said Matilda.
"You can't deny it. I'll get you my
hand mirror"
Il don't want your hand mirror" said
Marion.
One of the boys now said "Reddyw
| and the new nickname was repeated
amid shouts of loughter
| The cousins did nc5 really intend to
be unkind, but they loved to tease.
| When Aunt Patience was tired of the
noise, she came bustling in from the
kitchen with her sleeves rolled up "Be
stih. every one of you!" she said sharp
ly. Its enough to make a body wish
there was no Christmas, the way you
carry on. Here, you, Jim and Jack!
| Go right out and shovel the snow OF
the road to the gate. And you, 10, go
into the woodhouse and cut kindling,
! And you, Tillie and Cathie, go dust the
| parlor furniture"
This command left Marion alone in
the Ginning room. Soon she found her
self nodding over her sewing. "Oh,
| dear" she thought II wish l didn't
get these sleepy spellsl The boys win
soon be coming in. Oh, for some place
to go and sleep quietlyw
She looked at the big sofa, which
was sofa bed of the kind that folds
back. Marion noticed Il shelf under
meath the cushioned springs Evident
| ly this was intended to be utilized as a
| place to keep bedding. The shelf was
empty, however, save for a little pill
low and an old shawl, and width of
lining cloth hung from the top, con-
cealing the opening. The contrivance
reminded Marion of a berth in a sleep
ing car, and she had a sudden inspira-
tion to creep into the cunning little re-
treat and take her nap unseen, and so
escape molestation.
Aunt Patience was hard at work in
the kitchen preparing for Christmas
when a rap at the door announced
stranger.
Good morning, madam" said a
pleasant voice that seemed to suit the
amiable, CHEEKY face partially muf-
fled in sealskin cap. Have you
any old furniture to sell? It's my busi-
ness to buy old articles that are in
| demand, renew them in my shop in
town and sell them as antiques" The
man handed Mrs. Croftroad business
card on which was printed, "Cassius
| Quinette, Dealer In Antique Furni-
| ture"
"Well," said Aunt Patience, show
ing the man into the dining room, Il
don't care if you make an antique out
of that old sofa. It's only a romping
place for the children, and they've got
the cloth nearly all torn off it."
"Yes see," smiled the man good
naturedly. He gave the springs of the
| sofa downward press with his hands,
examined the mahogany veneering and
then offered Mrs. Croftroad a sum of
money that made her smile.
''Take it, and welcome" she said,
| glad to be rid of what was to her an
| eyesore and a nuisance.
| With the help of Jim and Jack the
sofa was presently loaded on the wag
on of the purchaser, and directly Mr..
| Cassius Quinette was driving along
the smooth white road to town, con
graduating himSelt on HIS IdteSl DdF-
gain. In the city Mr.. Quinette and his
wife occupied the dwelling part Of the
house over the store and workroom.
They had their living apartments ar
ranged very cozily, for they both had
good taste and plenty Of means to
crafty it.
"Oh. yes, have every comfort and
luxury" Mrs. Quinette would ac-
knowledge when her friends expressed