Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-12-30

even starvation. lead IL but to the some
time recognition OF my talents take up
my pen not to riddle your ears with
plants. but on another matter, which Is
Sir Percy. =
Sir Percy. as you know, came up to
town, now these seven weeks agone,
straight as a die to my meager cham.
bers. where welcome was spelled, can
assure thee, all over the bare floor, barer
board and barer master thereof, for of a
truth l love him as should the brother I
had hoped he'd be! Peg, what's this
thou'st done to the lad? Thrown him, a
gallant with as big heart as God ever
made. over into the devils own mire for
sake OF that little tow haired sprat, Robin
Mozart. with his pate full of himself and
none other, SO I've heard say, for never
set eyes upon the blackguard from
Kent! POUNDS. twin What are We won.
en- made of? And 1 write. to say Percy,
what with carousals and brawIs and
drink and fights and all night at the gam
Ing table and all day God knows where s
fast a-throwing himself pieccmeal into
the grave he's a-digging daily for your
cruel sake. Could you but see him! A
ghost! Wan, with eyes full OF blood spots
and hair unkempt! Madam. there's love
for you. and loves what ladies' like. Go
match him. sister. with Mozart IL You
can, but twin me no mere ever again an
you and ] wear black ribbons for Percy
de Bohun!
Lady Peggy's lip quivers. So does
Chockey's
'Lawk, my lady" cries the girl,
splashing tears into the butter reck-
less.
"'Black ribbons, Chock. "A ghost
Chock. Mozart Choek. oh, mercy,
WHAT'S to become of me?" Peggy's
tears smart her eyes as she filings the
goose quill over to cheese on the
shelf, where it sticks and one day sur
prises the vicar at his supper.
Get out of my sightr, she filings
after 1t. 81 can't write. Who can
write out her heart and soul when it's
SO hard even to speak it? Oh would
l were my brother for one fine half
llour! cries Peggy, rising and stamp
ing up and down the stone floor of the
buttery.
And IL you were, madame" asks
Chockey meekly. What .then?"
I'D swear : yea. would ] : such a
lot of splendid oaths as d ease my
mind and let me hear from my own
lips what a fools part I'd played with
my own, my adored Percy! Could 1
lut see him, rs Kennaston says!"
Peggy in her progress now upsets a
pan Of cream and has genuine pleas
ure in splashing it about over her
slippers as she speaks.
But 1! What am L? A girl, swad-
died in petticoats and fallals: tethered
to an apron and a bosom and harp
sichord and needle. Yet can 1 snap
a rapier, fire a pistol, jump ditch,
land fish, for my brother taught me-
Still IS girl, girl, sit by the fire and
spin, dawdle. dallyw The cream now
spots up as far as Peggy's chin and
fleclis its dimple.
Stop at home, nor stir abroad!
Smile, -ogle!' each word emphasized
with heel and toe.
"And"-Lady Peggy now fops back
into her chair, breathless-.'wait on
mans will and ;whims. That, Chock,
is what tits to be n woman
aye, 'tis," assents the waiting wom-
an. But yet, my lady, If l dared
make bold, there's summat your lady
ship might do. an my lady, your lady
ships mother, came back home again
from her visit to your uncle in York"
"Out with it," says Peggy hopeless.
ly, folding up her attempted letter and
tucking it in her reticule.
"Mayhap you could persuade, by
much weepin' and prayin'. fallin' in.
to swoons and such like, that her lady