Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-05-02
FOR LITTLE FOLKS.
A COLUMN OF PARTICULAR IN
TEREST TO THEM.
Something that will Interest the Ju-
venile Members of Every Household
Quaint Actions and Bright Sayings

1t is not n pleasant thing to be the
plain sister of two beautiful girls, and
PATTY Chiffon found that out before
he was four years old. Not that Patty
was really plain. but her candid aunts
had made no secret of the fact that she
was not to be compared, In point of
looks. with Berenice, her sister Of
seven. and Mabel, the little beauty of
two. Nor was she as bright As SeI-
nice they said.
''Bernice Is SO like the Westovers!'
was their frequent remark. and the
greatest possible praise they could give
these WestOver spinsters.
So Patty grew up with the feeling
that she was very poor sort Of crea-
ture. Her visits to her Grandma West
over 8 were never pleasant, and but for
the unfailing kindness of grandma herr
self. would have been wholly painful
for she was systematically snubbed,
while Berenice and Mabel were petted
and made much Of by their two aunts.
Their bright sayings were quoted, and
their beauty openly praised.
Patty was not jealous or envious- OF
her sisters. but sat and admired them
silently. only wishing in her sore heart
that she were like them. or else a boy.
She often wished she had been a boy.
One day her mother asked her why.
Because then 1t would be all right to
be ugly"
whom her children were pretty-alike.
What makes you think you are ugly.
my dearie?'
That old, mean looking-glass says
so," was Patty's answer, and she would
never admit that she had gathered the
idea from any other source.
No one ever guessed how all the fine
arrows of ridlcule pierced and tore that
sensitive heart. for 1t was a pet theory
Of the Aunts WestOver that Patty was
thick skinned" and phlegmatic. In
other words, she was not a WestOver.
but Chiffon. 1t was only Berenice and
Mabel whose tender sensibilites were to
be always considered.
OF course poor Patty was never her
natural self in the presence of those
who so totally misunderstood her. She
was silent. and they thought her dull;
she was sad and heartsOre, and they
said she was sulky. And SO 1t went on.
and the girls grew fast. Bernice and
Mabel lost none Of their beauty. but.
thanks to the unwise compliments upon
which their vanity had been fed since
their babyhOod. they lost one Of the
sweetest charms Of girlhood-simplic
ity. They knew they were pretty, and
they dressed. talked and acted for
effect Patty walked with the careless
grace of nature. while her sisters
minced in the way they supposed to be
the most ladylike and fetching. When
Patty spoke 1t was in a downright.
earnest way. and her big, sweet smile
warmed the hearts of every one but
the two Misses WestOver.
Not so her sisters. When they spoke
t was with the Delsartean expressions
and gestures-sweetly or haughtily,
archly or sedately. sadly or merrily;
and oh! such lowering Of long eyelashes.
such heavenward castings Of azure
blue eyes. such shakings Of golden
curls, such graceful turnings of fair
necks! OF all these arts and banish
ments the two pretty sisters were past
mistrcsses at n very tender age.
When Patty was about fourteen, Miss
Lincoln took board for the summer at
Grandma Westover's pretty old place.
ard then Patty enjoyed her visits to her
&, g,andmother's, for Miss Lincoln took"
to Patty. and Patty loved Miss Lincoln. |
She was an artist, and Patty could !
show her all the pretty spots In the !
lovely old town; Patty knew where all |
the wild flowers grew. and the haunts |
and habits Of all the little people Of
the woods" In return for her helpful- |
ness Miss Lincoln gave her daily les
sons In her art, and the aptitude and
interest Of he, pupil surprised her.
with her love of nature. her Won
derful power Of observation. and the
natural genius which I really believe
the child has, l should not wonder at
all IL your little Patty is not a famous
woman some day." she said to Miss
Minnie WestOver
Aunt Minnie smiled incredulOusly.
Il must confess such thing would
surprise me great deal"
"Well, wait and see," said Miss Lin
coin. II intend to talk to her father and
mother before / go away. II she ID
given the proper opportunities. she will
surprise you"
And Miss Lincoln proved q true