The Port Gibson reveille., 1907-01-03
HER BABY BROTHER.

fell IN love with Arabella Appleby when
Twas very young. There was a great tribe
Of young Applebys, who lived with their
parents IN their country seat in D0vedel,
and Arabella had, as elder sister, miracu'
lous number Of household cares In conse-
quence. However, her principal one was
Bob, youngster IN tunics and short panta-
looms, who was the very imp Of mischief,
but whom she adored, believing him, as did
the rest Of the family, TO be most remark
able boy
had been courting Arabella for a year,
but had never yet found a moment in which
TO pop the question because Of this dreadful
Bob.
We arc all hyprocrites admit that Ibid
curry favor with the family by praising
Bob, but to tell the truth I detested him.
And now there had begun % call upon Ara
bella a light-haircd young doctor, evidently
favored BY papa, and resolved to speak or
die. Even with Bob stratagem might pre-
vail; he might become absorbed in some
thing / knew his great and unsatished
longing for fire-craczers. ! would buy him
some. would lead him and Arabella 70
some sequestered nook, and amidst the
cracks and explosions ask her 70 be mine.
The difficulty was 70 do It In such a way
that Mamma Appleby could not find il out.
Nothing but the awful certainty that his
mamma felt that any thing connected with
gunp0wder, from a cannon 70 a torpedo,
was necessarily fatal TO somebody, had
nerved her 10 deny her darling the desire Of
his heart; but since II had been denied, l
knew my power. With two pounds Of
cream candy IN one pocket, and packet Of
Chinese crackers IN the other, proceeded
one afternoon to the Appleby mansion and
asked for Bob.
"Bob is somewhere in the garden said
Mrs. Appleby. His sister Arabella is try
ing 70 persuade him 70 take the kittens out
Of the tin pail. He's selling them for clans
with the cover on, you know, and she's
afraid the poor little things will be smoth-
ered.n
At this instant the air was rent with
shrieks.
"she's taken 'em out, poor child" said
mamma. "Perhaps I'd best 60 and see
what can do with him.
"Mum, the butcher,n proclaimed q
blessed servant at that instant.
aI'll go,n said !. - have some candy in
my pocket. think can console him.
44Ans ANNAANI MAAN AAANAAAMAAAs ~ AA&
by the howls, found Bob
He was in the summer-house, beating my
Arabella with both his fists, while she held
in her lap party Of very young and skinny
kittens, that had evidently not been rescued
from the air-tight tin can moment too
soon.
Good afternoon, Miss Arabella,n said /.
"Why, Bobby, what's the matterl Come
Ens9 Il IsmH aeaeF F.va sA
Iproduced portion Of the cream candy.
Bobby stopped yelling, He came toward
me, still stroahy with tears, and extended
bis paw for the candy.
"Let US take him down to the grove, Miss
Arabella,n said /. "A sort Of change of
scene for him; and I want him 10 say his
last new piece Charge Of the Light
Brigade, you know. It's really wonderful
FOR 50 young a child.n
"Ohl indeed it is, Mr. Rawd0n,n said
Arabella "Come, Bobby
There VIC were in the grove; the trees
encompassed US; the grass was green
under our feet; the skies were blue, the
breeze delightful. No one near 70 disturb
Us. Now, If could quiet Bob, could tell
my tale"
aNow, Bobby said I, "let's have the
piece, and then I'll give you something
nicen
Hsay it, Bobby said Arabeua
"No,n said Bobby.
swell, no matter, p said /. "It isn't right
10 overtax his fne mind, Miss Arabella.
I'll wait until he's ready. Here is the
candy, Bobby, and here IS something else.n
"Oh, Mr.. Rawdonp' cried Arabella.
HWhat tu0uld mamma sayln
"They arc perfectly harmless" said 1;
sand it is certain that he viii have them
some day. Why not let me teach him how
to use theml Poor child he has longed for
them so.n
"Ilxnow it, said ArabeIls. nNow do be
careful. 0hl-ahln
Hold it so, Bobby" / said, "and hold
this SO, and light this thread, then of il
goesn
Whackl smack crack went the cracker.
"HErrayln yelled Bob, in great glee.
"Lemme fire 'em myselfn
just what wanted. But there stood Ara
bella, absorbed In the wonderful sight.
Of went the crackers.
"Isn't he cunningp' cried Arabella.
"0h, I've a good mind TO 90 and call
mamma 70 see himln
nShe'd be nervous said l. "Miss Ara,
bella, have for a long time been very anx-
ious TO -
1000, tome FIRE OF my clackers," said
Bobby, advancing at this instant.
"Fire them of yourself, like = man.
said L
81 amt man, cried Bobby, insulted.
" No sach a sing" and he began TO yell.
"He's sisters treasure" said Arabella.
@Please, Mr.. Rawden, fire of one for
him.
fred a dozen. Then BOb's mood
changed.
"Flire 'em myself he remarked, and
took them from me and disappeared behind
the bench. began again:
Miss Arabella,n commenced, 81 have
waited to say what now have 70 say, until
my heart is almost bursting. I do not
dare TO flatter myself that my sentiments
are reciprocated; but you must lave
seen III -
Whack whack smack crack
Arabella started away with a scream.
stood like Mrs. Crummels, only not on
my head,n in the midst Of blazing fire
works. That imp Of darlness-Bob-had
pinned pack to my coat-tails, and set them
OF.
"oh, naughty, naughty BObi O. Asw u
WoudnrfssI ffaunquIn0