Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-12-24

ferent to what he Is. Mornings and
evenings I can hardly eat ever. Din
ner l eat pretty good. But here this
winter Mister he had his pest-three
carbuncles and near fifty boils. Then
he couldn't eat neither"
Georgiana tried to divert the talk to
another plane. do you know one
thing that led me to wish to summer
here when saw your advertisement
In the paper was your name-Morning-
star--so full of suggestion. l have al
ways thought names so significant. l
thought" she said, smiling sweetly,
"that should be happy in country
home with people bearing name so
full of poetic meaning, so suggestive of
the spiritual healthfulness of rural life"
Mrs. Morningstar looked bewildered.
"so?" she said vaguely. "Well, If only
more thought like you we'd make more
at keepin' summer Doarders. We could
accommodate many more. We kin
lay eight and set ten"
Georgiana appeared disconnected, but
she made another brave effort to turn
the tide of the talk into higher chan
mel.
81 was led to come to you because l
am unfortunately rather run down from
the last crowded months of the college
year, and / felt that really to regain
my poise | must get near to nature
and that the best way to do that would
be actually to go and live with the peO-
pie of the soil and really become one
Of them"
"And live the simple life" put In
Daisy. 81 think one could do 1t here.
Georgiana, without the strain that 1t Is
In town. Out here" she added hope
fully, "it won't require my co-opera-
ton. I'll have to live it."
"Not If there is inward rebellion"
instructed Georgana gently. "Remem-
ber, dear, the simple life is subjective
as well as objective"
Daisy accepted it with sigL. It'll
make a note of that" she said. gather
ing up the blank book and pencil she
wore suspended from her belt. She
met the wondering looks Of the Morn
ingstars as she leafed her notebook.
"Yes," she nodded, volunteering an ex-
planation, II write down things which
impress me. My uncle thinks keeping
notebook may give me mental
pause
"Poise." corrected Georgiana. blush
ing for her cousin.
"Poise," nodded Daisy; she always
accepted Georgiana's corrections with
out question. ITO collect facts-facts
with no deviation from accuracy"
at will be excellent mental disci-
pline for you. Daisy" said Georgiana
kindly.
"My only doubt is," said Daisy anx-
iously. that it isn't consistent with
the simple life-kceping notebook to
improve your mind. Because you
know it certainly isn't 'reposeful-
keeping a notebook. Now. on the bare
face of it. without any philosophy. my
motto for simple life would be, Let
things slide I could live up to that
she said with conviction.
Mrs. Morringstar laughed. "Ious
fetch out such big words still! Just
| like Doc-Pcte. mean." she quickly
corrected herself. Pete. he's always
splttin' them big words out too. a
body'd think it would go to your
brains: ain't?'
Georgiuna picked UP hope-her In
tuition as to Pete was perhaps after
| all not mistake.
"Pete has had some schooling" she
inquired.
At this question Georgiana was puz-
zled to observe that Eunice, who sat
on the opposite side of the table from
Pete, gave q slight start. raised her
constantly downcast eyes and looked
at the farmland with a faint smile.
Though his own gaze had been resting
persistently, almost embarrassingly.
with bucolic, stupid stare upon her
self, Georgiana saw that he met Eu-
nice's glance with sudden look OF
| interest which seemed to change his
whole countenance.
But Mrs. Morningstar's reply to her
question diverted her attention and ar
rested her sense Of establishment at
this puzzling transformation.
"If he had schoolin'? Well. don't
know If he was to college like yous
But this kin say-he kin read wonder
full good off the noospaper. Why, you
wouldn't know it was readin'-you'd
think he was just talkin'."
"Now I'd put 1t the other way
round" said Mr.. Mornlngstar critical
ly. "I'd say his talkin' sounds as If he
was readin. Pete" he asked, was
you to such college ever"
"Well," said Pete tentatively. 81
seen a college oncet when | was II
town"
Daisy gave forth little squeal OF
amusement, but instantly pulled hel
countenance straight again, with al
apprehensive glance toward Georgiana
"Most young men, remarked Geor
giana, glancing from Pete to Abe, "ar'
discontented in the country these days
and are ambitious to get to town.
think it Il pity often. Country life l:
so much more healthful-spiritually,
mean."
Abe did not even look up, but Pete
his mouth full of potato, replied, M!
Job out here suits me all right"
Discontented?" questioned Mr.. Morn
ingstar. We've got enough to eat ant
little over. What more can u per
son want?"
But the usually tongue tied daugh
ter Ollie here spoke up. Il guess
body wants little pleasure. too, still,
she said sulkily, scowling at her ia
ther; then suddenly. overwhelmed witt
shyness at the sound Of her own voice
she coIored violently and bent her eye
to her plate.
Mr.. Morningstar's small eyes ant
mouth seemed to contract as he look
ed at her. II amt leayin' you rum" b
obstinately affirmed. "Eunice she new
er asts me has she the dare to go any.
"Yes, well, but''-Mrs. Morningsta
came to the defense Of her own Il
loud tones-''it's some different, toe