New-York tribune., 1901-11-03
'ARRIET AND HER BOYS.
From Black and White.

ing. and then paused q moment outside the night
hand door before he entered. Inside shTlA,
piercing voice was scoldins Very loud, and there
was the sound Of mufied weeping and the clatter
Of teacups. He shook his head somewhat rue
fully and entered the ROOM
"'Arret. 'Arriet. what's the matter now
do declare 1 card your voice 'alf wy down
EnGcombe-sJ--that l did
Three little figures were sitting round very
untidy tea1abie, and a big and unwieldy girl IN
her teens was rocking herself TO and fro in an
armchair and sobhng pitifully- The little per-
son addressed as 'ArIiet sitting n the head
OF the table and unsteadily pouring out tea from
a huge brown teapot. which she Vainiy at
tempted TO guide with both hands She looked
about nve years old froul her height. and had
small round head. thinly covered with hair Of so
light a color as To give the appearance Of almost
complete badness: q thin little face about The
size Of a teacup. enliyene6 10y green eyes so
bright and piercing thai they really seemed
when they looked at you bore into your III
side like ginllets.
The TWO little boys sitting one on e2ch SIDE
Of her were Of 3 far finer make and though eNl-
dently younger than their sister. were almost
twice her weight and size From the first glance
you could tell that they We're twins-they were
really quite riCiCulously alike and as solemn as
two owls.
- The weeping girl IN the armchair looked up
and answered before Harriet could pat io"a
her teapot and gain breath to reply
oh. SIR she Inoaned. she as bin goin' Al
me simply orful. and she won't let me pour ou;
tea and she's mide sech q mess 'erself and she
ses-she ses-'- but here she broke down asaii-
and rocked herself TO and fro IN d peroxysm O
tears
Mr. Nu-kle sat down heavily in a chair and
let his ba, Of tools slip with a bang on t. The
floor.
What's the matter now. 'ATriet.' he SAID
YEARLY and whatye you bin doin' 10 Maudle-
oh Maudiers sech an old silly. Ded, and she
won't pour out tea as me an the boys Hke-ai1o-
and-oh there, she jest drive me dotty. she Co
i want 10 go 'one-I want me mo'hef-
walled Maude- She's slapped me fee tWoiee
and abused me awful won't stand II no
longer. 1 wont, l wont! I've got spirit ol
me own and l won't stand il longer!
oh. so.- said Mr.. Murhle suddenly. and he
observed something stronger besides which /
won't repeat. And tell yer mother as Yer N"
more use then brass farden! 4 great sifl
gone fifteen not able TO manage bby OF
sewing ana tno infants not fVe year Ole
But here Maudie looked up with sudden spirit
jest manage EN- yerself-" she cried, sarlilg'
--Iot'er good you are, and you grown man,
too
We manage ourselves observed Harriet, pla-
ci51x- don't We boys? An we don't want no
jnterferin' ole cats as as fees like sausages
and 10 air to speak OF, tho they does Try and
crlnp and curl il up TO come and interfere
VII US We don't
Ark al 'er, ark at 'er sauce" screamed
Maudie. and you stands by and ses never
word
Put on Yer at, gel Mr.. Murkle said, rising
to his feet and speaking with sudden determina-
ton; an go right along ore to Yer mother
shar't want Yer nc more. Ere's yer shillin' for
the week"
Ooray! 'oorayr' cried Harriet, clapping her
hands: now We shall get along all right, we
shall with silly ole Maudie gone: Won't we
ave fun, boys2"
Fun" exclaimed Maudie, riciously, yes. and
Yer daGdyu ave some fun, too, Id like TO see
is fee afore the weeks OUT"
"'Eu he a happier man, I'm thinkin'," OBJ
served Mr. Murkle, quietly. You've only
fastened on a bit me dear, " hat I've bin intend
ing for long time"
What, You goin TO marry agen2
.eThet's So me gel and a better and more
1,seful woman then you'n ever make and
with that ne took up his hat and left the room
There was silence for a moment Then Maudle
turned in triumph and faced her small enemy at
the tea table
Tort she cried its enough TO mike a cat
,anpb that il is, You and yer fun and no old
,ga1,die or no one to bother yer' on, Oh on
Iauphir' at asked the fatter