Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-13
A Bargain of Philippians.
By rlARGARET JOHNSON.

young, and both were slight of figure
and fair of face. But Philippa was
rosy, and her eyes sparkled. while
Evelina's dropping lashes rested on
cheek as delicately pale and transpar-
emit as the leaf of a jasmine flower.
From G room somewhere in the up
per part of the house there issued
wild racket of noise and confusion
the dragging of chairs across the floor
the clatter of small but vigorous feet.
the rivalry of small but determined
voices, and through all curious. in
-sistent sound like the shrilling of some
gigantic insect.
20 Fraulein." said Philippe. laugh
ing and frowning and puckering her
pretty mouth into a little pout of dis
tress. Il am glad you have come. Now
there will be some peace. went in to
stay with the children a few minutes
while Marie was busy.
Il thought | would try a little kin
dergartening all TO myself: but they
lost all respect for me as soon as they
found out that didn't know how
TO fold the kings crown. Then | tried
telling them a story about the bee.
Il explained about its being such a
virtuous little insect. and gathering
honey from every opening flower. and
all that: and then | told the children
to play they were little bees themselves.
and see how busy and happy they could
be until you came.
And then | went out of the room
minute. and what did Tommy do but
begin to buzz and humble so loud you
couldn't hear yourself think. and so
staggering round the room humping
up against the furniture. And of course
Stubs and Fanny and the Angel had to
buzz and humble too. and they all
bumped up against the Angel so hard
that she fell down and began to cry.
And | think they're playing bee yet.
Fraulein. how do you manage when
they take things that way?"
A smile trembled Oh Erelinas pale
lips.
II is rather perplexing." she said:
but I think We can straighten it out
for them and MAKE the bee useful. af-
ter ALL
''0h, you can straighten il out. of
course" cried Philippa. because you
know how. | su7pose-it must be-
well, the experience. isn't it,"
Il suppose so" said the other, sim
ply and soberly. The knowing how
is a good deal. of course
And then she went on up the stairs
ana PhiliDpa went on down. smiling
and singing TO herself. They were vel
vet-carpeted stairs, and the hall was
wide and softly lighted by the stained
glass window on the landing
In the parlor sat Philippa's mother.
talking TO a visitor. who listened with
an anxious expression of countenance
and an evident effort not to appear abb
sent-minded. Mrs. Somers perceived
this presently.
''Oh. you're thinking about the chill
dren.' she said. smiling easily. Don't
let them worry you: they will be quiet
Immediately. Fraulein has just come
in-their goverress-and they are al
ways good with her. They Just adore
her-a perfect treasure. Cousin Jose
phine. It's wonderful how we happened
TO get her. and al such a price. too"
She is a Kindergarten? asked the
visitor.
Yes. and thoroughly trained-sup-
erior in every way. We think. | call
her one OF Philippa's bargains. Philip
pa got her. OF course She is the clev-
crest child about such matteTs-always
picking up the prettiest things for her
self for almost nothing: and she seems
to have picked up Fraulein in much
the same way.
You see. when Frauloin-not that
she's German. but we call her that
because the last one was. and so it's
easier to remember: her name is
Dodd or Dobbs or something. | forget
well. she lost some position that she
expected to have in the fall. believe
and so was glad enough 10 come here
Philippa happened TO hear of her. and
We congratulate ourselves every day on
being so fortunate. Philippa. dear.
come in" she called. hearing the girls
light step outside
ShS iCOhSh at HST Idll
daughter, whose smile was as sunnily
sweet and good humored as her own.
Now. mamma" cried Philippa. gai-
ly, when Cousin Josephine was gone.
put on your little bonnet right away.
and come with me and see my 'shut-in
people. And then. this afternoon. if
you're not too tired. there's Just the
sweetest bit of hat at Madame Mey-
er's. | saw il yes;erday-precisely
what want to go with my green suit
ard such bargain"
OF they went presently. with rus
tie of silken skirts and a ripple of
merry talk and laughter.
Al one o'clock Evelina met them
coming home to luncheon. She was
just leaving the house. and Mrs. SOM
ers stopped her on the steps.
Were the children good to-day?" she
asked kindly. You look a little pale.
Fraulein. You must take care of your
self. We cannot have you getting sick.
you know. What would the children do?
Gcod-by!"