Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-28
biously, coming up behind US. ~

never thought of doing anything but
keeping it until Tom came back, as nc
did yesterday, just after you left. Here
he is now" as Tom came bounding up
stairs, three steps at time.
Lizzie and I sprang to meet him, but
Cousin Armenia received his greeting
with the air of a deeply injured and
indignant person.
Il don't see the use of having two
carpets in one room," she presently re-
marked, coldly.
And Tom had to explain how he had
not had time to make up his mind
about the purchase of the carpet until
he had actually driven off in the stage
coach, when stopping at the Bradleys',
he had arranged with Alfred to get it
for him, but forgot to say that it must
be sent to grandpa's. And as for
Cousin Armenia's carpet, he was in
nocent of it's existence, nothing having
ever been said to him about it.
WELL" said Cousin Armenia, "I've
had all my pains and labor for nothing.
The idea," she added, Indignantly
"the idea of spending SIS dollars on a
bedroom carpet, when one just as SER
viceable could be had for nothing"
and she looked proudly at her work.
For nothing, Cousin Armenia"
inquired Tom.
For skeercely anything. The weav-
ing did cost about four dollars; but
that don't count"
And the thread for the woof?" sug-
gested Tom.
well, that might be a few dollars
more" she admitted.
And a rather uneasy light came in
to her eyes. She left the room abrupt
ly.
Then Lizzie said:
"And the good clothing destroyed,
and the time spent on preparing those
rags, and the hiring of the wagon to
go for the carpet-what do these
amount to?"
ITO say nothing of the new dress
that must be bought for Kitty Leary,
and the new curtain for Toms room,"
added Why, altogether, these two
carpets must have cost about the same.
and Cousin Armenia has made nothing
by her economical idea"
Grandpa was standing behind us,
his hands in his pockets, and a very
knowing look in his eyes.
"Mebbe you're leetle mistaken,
Susie, he said, drily. "My own idee
is that Armeny's made more on that
rag carpet than she'd notion of, and
a good deal more than it's worth It's
likely the best investment she's ever
made"
And meantime" said grandma, eve
will put Toms carpet in the parlor, and
Armeny's in this room. She's done
what she thought best, and it wouldn't
do to hurt her feelings"
That evening Tom slyly called me to
look at Cousin Armenia, who, with
kitchen knife in her hand, was pruning
away at the rose bushes in the gar
den. while the deacon, seated cross
legged on the fence, was deliberately
and carfully whiting stick.
why, she will ruin the bushes!" l
exclaimed. "See how she is chopping
them to pieces. What can she be
thinking OFF,"
What were you thinking of, Susie?"
said Tom, solemnly, "that time in the
parlor when the doctor was saying
something in low tone and you were
deliberately picking your glove to
pieces?"
And then a light flashed upon me,
and ran out to tell Lizzie that had
found out what grandpa meant by
Cousin Armenia's Investment" And
Lizzie laughed and said. "How ridicu.
lous!" And then in the same breath,
"Why, how nice it will be. Susie. I'm
so glad!"
Next day John and his wife came,
and we were all delighted with Alice.
Her father had money, and she had
been brought up in more dainty style
Of living than we were accustomed to,
which made us rather anxious about
her being pleased with tDings. One
day, when she had been about a week
with us, grandma inquired of John if
Alice were perfectly satisfied. or if
there was anything that he would like
to have done for her?
only one thing, grandma" he re-
piled, cheerfully. .'She's delighted,
and perfectly satisfied and happy; but,
you see, she has some fancies which
you would think whimsical. The car
pet in her room
II knew it," exclaimed Lizzie. flush
ing. THAT horrid rag-carpet!"
John laughed.
1T isn't its being rag-carpet that
she Objects to, Liz; but she has a
prejudice against any sort of carpet
in sleeping room. She thinks it un-
healthy-and, you know, many physi-
clans hold that opinion. A little strip
by the bedside and before the hearth
are all that she requires"
"I'll see to it today" said grandma.
And then she looked up at us and
laughed little.
Poor Armenia's carpet seems un-
I l..