The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1905-04-01

, Her gift to her father had been
photograph Of a Bottcelli Madonna
Mr.. Hackett thanked his daughte
With what heartiness he could sum
mon, and confded to his wife that j
seemed kind of heatnenish and un
natural into the bargain AS fol-
him, ne didn't want any prettier pic
ture than that" waving his hand to
ware, the window framed view Of roll
ing meadow lands and upland pas
lures, all adrift with snow and feck
ed by the shadows Of the swiftly
passing clouds. No. Amelia,s family
were certainly not desirous of cul-
ture
But" thought Amelia, their ideas
must be broadened by the fart"
The annual fair had always been
hold in a distant part of the country,
toe far away to be even considered by
the HackettS. This year several
counties united, and were holding at
Plimpton, fifteen miles away. the
greatest exhibition ever given in that
part of the state. Besides all the ac-
compartments of the usual county
fair, it offered educational features in
the shape CT lectures, practical demon
strations, concerts, and an ''unexcall-
ed display Of rare ana valuable loan
collection Of art treasures" to quote
the handbill.
Amelia, in spite Of former failures,
conscientiously set to work to make
her family visit to the fair as profit
able as possible. That night at the
supper table she produced a number
Of neatly written slips OF paper.
Method is as useful IN pleasure as
in work" she announced, in her most
pedagogical manner. Il raTe g2ae
carefully over the program for to-
Horrow and picked out the features
advisable for each. On fathers slip
| have put picture gallery, concert,
lecture on the ancient Greeks, stere-
opticion exhibition OF famous statues.
Mother, picture gallery and concert
Ia the forenoon. In the afternoon
there is to be a meeting OF the Fedora
ton OF Clubs, with lecture On soci- !
elogy by the state president. Ellen, /!
picture gallery, taking notes of pic
lures liked and why, concert. Will
lard and Robert, collection Of rare |
coins aRd stamps; debate: War CT
Arbitation;' portrait gallery OF famous
aen. Susie and Mllly, exhibit of all
needlswork, concert, stereopt.con.
TOtty, day in kindergarten.
7 think if you follow these" con-
tinued Amelia, with pardonable pride,
you will And that you can accomplish
more than if you wandered aimlessly
about
The Hacketts received the slips OF
paper in silence. Somehow, they
could hardly tell why, there was !
something depressing about them.
Amelia had glorious day at the
[air. By = judicious economy Of time
she got in far more, even, than she
lad planned. As she hurried eagerly :
rom place to place she saw E:jthing
'f ner family. "Q.eer!" sne thought.
I should think l would run across ,
hem somewhere" r
When the Hackstts got nome that r
light they were too tired for utter q
nee; but the nex.' morning, at the .
'reakfast-table, there certainly was c
70 excuse for their studied silence. a
Finally Amelia broke the ice. 1T q
5as q feast!" she sigAed. Il can live 6
Dr. . year on it. Did Totty enjoy the +
:
Totty's mouth was full q bread r
nd butter, but she murmured some O
hing which sounded like merry go q
)upd." :
Mrs. Hackett looked trifle ,embar- "
Issed. We'll, now, 'Melia," she said, a
% tell the truth, Totty didn't get Il
uch Of it. You see, sac cried so 8
hen l tried to leave her; and then f.
ere were 50 many things for her to A
'e, it did seem a shame to coop her v,
} all day." "
Amelia made no comment. did f.
u see some beautiful embroidery" ~
e asked the twins. n
Yes, sister," answered Mil.y. ct g,
Is very nice, but we liked the merry -,
round better, anG the crysta. maze e.
IS lovely" p,
Punch and Judy was great" broke an
Bobby. But / liked sarsaparilla ~
da and the shooting gallery best. es
six drinks out of en-" :.
Amslia,s blue eyes opened wide, but .
said nothing. Totty, who had ~,
allowed her nouthful. puckered up
little red lips and breataed out ,o,
OF a tune. Willard grinned 40
Rufus he said. -.
Amelia looked puzzled. Did you ~; ~
II that at the concert, Totty?" NO
Ye.h," lisped the little one. Fun. -.
darky mani" M '
Amelia's expression became severe, -.
she turned to her mother with a ~
bearing sigh. The concert was
}, wasn't it?" ~.
Yes, dear. yes" replied Mrs. Hack ~
1T was grand, dare say, but l -.
Mt hear much of it. You see, the 49,,
ldren were SO restless l had to ~. -
ne out" -. -
What did you think of the club lee ~ 49,,
-" continued Amelia.