Graham guardian., 1901-12-27

l thought it breach OF courtesy to cough
or sneeze before her, and many q heroic
struggle have had with self to avoid these
spasms.
Marys mother was altogether different.
She was small, fair woman, with merry
little ways, continual laugh, and the
manners of a child. The sort of person
that one must pet, and indulge, and ex-
cuse. My mother was also 4 very small
woman, but her manner to Mrs. Steele was
that Of tall woman bending to midget.
Year after year passed in pleasant, even
fashion, until | reached the.age of H.
Mother wakened ME as usual one New
Years morning, but, contrary to her Gus
tom, seated herself on my bedside, and,
facing me, clasped my hand in hers.
My son, said she, you are old enough
now to bear responsibility, and learn manly
ways and ideas. Your fhher was a gentle
man. He was kind, loving and tender; ever
ready to defend girl, woman, and the
right. He never drank to intoxication, and
hoped his son might also be exempt from
this temptation. II not, he prayed that
strength might be given him to leave It
entirely alone"
wondered why mother was saying this
to me, when tears came in her beloved
eyes, and she continued:
81 am telling you this, dear lad, because
you always visit the Steeles on New Years
day, and there are many young men whom
you may see there-young men who drink
too much, say too much, and whose man.
ners are not always the manners of gen.
tlemen."
Then understood, and putting my arms
about her neck, pledged myself in the name
of my dead father to be temperate, faith
full and true. The bells of St. Margaret's
broke into a merry chime just then, and
mother ran away crying:
"Up, up, Jack! My son must not bs
sluggard on New Years day"
The day had been dull and gray. A
Whitley sense Of snow thrilled through the
sharp, wintry air, which made the warmth
and comfort within intoxicating. From
nine o'clock in the morning line Ct callers
had poured over the door-sill Of tie Steele
house. Carriages emptied their loads of
elegant looking men at their curbstcnc, the
tails of rich coats nourisAcd Ike black
wings behind the flying figures while white
satin waistcoats and light gloves cleaned
in contrast as the callers rushed up the
steps. Few little boys were among the
guests, ard my jealous heart absorbed a
grain of comfort from this knowledge.
| hurried from my outlook, and into my
hat and raglan, when mother called:
Come, Jack! It's four o'clock! Aren't
you going over to the Steeles"
When Pompey opened the door, he
showed all his double molars in astonish-
ment at my magnifcence. was clad in
broadcloth from shoulders to ankles, in
stead of the velvet, short trousers and braid
ed Jacket that had fretted my masculine
dignity for two years. Some one has said that
"a sense of being well-dressed gives one
a self-possession that religion cannot be-
stow"
/ felt this as I entered the perlor, and
caught glimpse of Mary. The fact, too,
that Mary's pink sash exactly matched my
necktie added warmth to the atmosphere
and made me accept Grandma Steees foI
NAL kiss and Mrs. Steeles laughing greet
ing: My! 0! Ny! Jack, but you are a
SWELL" as my rightfl due.
Mary was especially nice and glad to sc,
me. She had two or three little tricks Q.
speech lately that | liked, and her laugh
was getting so sweet and low.
Through the long parlors, under both the
big prismatic chandeliers, was spread "tA
table," that wonderful feature OF New
Years hospitality in olden New York. 1t
was laden with substantials and dciicacies
all beautifully arranged; and on a side table
steaming coffee and chocolate, and ricn
punch were dispensed by Ponpey, who
made capital bronze cup-bearer, in color
and figure, always ready to Serve de gem
men,"
Mary and / were getting on very we'll
Grandma Steele had taken us to the pretty