The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-21

more to you than can hope other
wise to make it signify. And Sadie,
too-one really needs to see her flower
like face and dainty self in order to
believe that girl who used such Ian
guage could be otherwise than coarse
and commonplace.
Mr.. Mead is q stern man in appear
ance, but one who seldom rebukes his
children, except in some impcrsonal
way. When he pronounces neat
little epigram, with his eyes fixed on
nobody in particular, the family
knows exactly what he means, and the
lesson is apt to be taken as he intends.
When, rs rarely happens, he feels that
direct reproof is called for, few
mild words from him go far.
AS n rule his method is a good one,
but there have been crises in the
Mead history when Mr.. Mead, method
and all, was ineffective. Then he
left his wife to win or lose the day
alone as best she could.
Sadie was just eighteen years old
when she returned from a year at
school-never mind where; telling
would be unkind-.to her home in n
small town of northern Wisconsin.
She was a slender, refined-lookinc
girl, with large brown eyes and wav-
ing hair and just touch of pink
showing through the transparent fair
ness of her complexion. She looked
poetic, but she talked-slang.
Hers was not the ordiuary, occa-
sional slang, but constant, ever
ready stream. That year at school
had given her vocabulary, the range
OF which caused both of her younger
brothers to open eyes of astonishment
and, as she expressed it, "take a back
seat for her without a murmur."
Mr.. Mead was Mortified. He made
valuable remarks on the evils of the
habit, until his children knew all he
had to say by heart; but his valuable
remarks had no effect on Sadie.
Mrs. Mead was distressed. She
talked TO Sadie seriously. Sadie
promised faithfully to "make try" at
doing letter, but after little slang
again abounded in her talk. Mrs.
Mead believed that somewhere. deep
In Sadic's heart, so deep perhaps that
she herself did not know that it ex-
listed, was an idea that her way of
talking was rather clever, after all.
AS soon as Mrs. Mead reached this
conclusion she began to plan revela-
ton for her daughter; aud everything
conspired to help her.
That very evening Sadie came in in
great excitement, aud late for tea
Some one had asked her whether they
could entertain at their home the pro
lessor of English Literature, who was
TO give the next course of University
Extension lectures at the church.
It's just for one night, you know.
mamma, she explained HE comes
once n week for six weeks, and diff
ferent family has him every time. OF
course / said we would The rest of
the girls are all green-eyed about it.
Judging by his picture, he's a peach ~
She had taken her place at the table
while she was speaking Her brother
Hal, who sat opposite, looked up with
O smile.
He's handsomer than the last lee
turer, is he, Sadie?" he asked.
"Well, I should howlp' said Sadie.
In sweet, musical voice.
Mr.. Mead looked ut his daughter
for q moment
you had better go outdoors to do
it., was all he said
But because he said it, the event was
tragic. Every one looked azhast. and
Sadie left the table TO cry away the
evening in her own room.
After that, for o full week. Sadie
said 80 little i'm her fathers presence.
and said that little so we'll, that me be.
gan TO think her habit cured But i'm
reality, she was only Keeping back her
slang while he was near.
The day came when the professor
Of English Literature was expected nj
their house. Sadie happened 10 he
ont when he arrived, and did not see
the meeting between him and her
mother, or she would have been az
much surprised as was Professor
Hamill himself, when he discovered
that Mrs Mead was an old school
friend Of whom Inc had lost sight for
many years.
After a little chat, Mrs. Mend can
toned her husband and the professor
not 60 mention before the children
that they had met before, explaining
her request by unfolding in a lowered