The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-01-15
CHAPTER I.

children in the world; children are
the greatest abomination in exist
ence!" said Reginald, threading his
way through his innumerable broth
ers and sisters to the schoolroom
fireplace. A small sister had posses
sion of the best armchair, a faded
chintz concern with ears to it. Reg
gle, of course, dislodged her ald took
possession, while little Lefty, perfect
ly satisfied of the droits d 'aine, made
no remonstrancc, but squatted on the
rug.
They were all there. Reggie, home
from Oxford; the beautiful Janet,
who enjoyed the privilege of being
grown up; Arthur, whose future fate
was not decided, but who was the
tallest, handsomest and most attrac-
tive looking of lads, though all unan-
imously declared that he had inher-
tied Saxon wit with Saxon beauty,
and would never do any good with
his brains. Little Lefty, on the
hearth rug, crept up and leant
against his long legs, sure of not be-
ing rejected there, even though she
might be an inconvenience and al
ways in the way.
Tola, an abbreviation of Ceneren-
tola, or the Cinderwitch, sat upon the
table; a little sunburnt brunette Of
seventeen, with curly brown hair and
eyes like diamonds; and she had chill
dren all about her. Tommy, Johnnie,
Mary Cilly, Jack Eddie! No wonder
the splendid Reggie looked down on
the herd with the outspoken express
sion of disgust, which nobody minded
in the least.
Janet settled her hair before the
cracked old mirror. We'll. Reggie" i"
she said, having called family
council, what is the result? Are we
not all in committee?"
you know as we'll as I do"
growled Reggie. awe must resolve
ourselves into Committee of Ways
and Means. There is something up.
Something down, sou mean" said
Tommy, who was Scribbling at a
tdDlS. MOlISSl . eyes ak lSd.
That's nothing new," said Tola,
sorrowfully, hugging the baby.
Don't jaw" said Reggie, giving
Tommy little kick, which extorted
a growl of Shut up-do!" -,
Il imagine" said Janet, coming
forward, and looking lovely, that
the last remaining hope of the family,
the last diner at the tenants dinner,
has given notice to quit"
And like our first parents we shall
be reduced to living vaguely on the
fruits of the earth," said lola.
And how to avert it?"
"By putting our shoulders to the
Wheel" said Arthur. "Of course, we
fellows must take whatever work
comes in our way"
Reggie" said Janet, timidly, II
hav. taken a step already. l have
put in an advertisement offering my
self as lady help, and l have two
or three answers here, which kept
to open at our meeting"
so that was the secret of our daily
walks to Plumtree postoffice?' cried
Tola. "Quick, Janet, do see what they
are about"
Janet opened the first two letters
and read them at first gaily, then
falteringly. The one offered intolera-
bic conditions, and the second held
out no hope of any salary.
"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" she sighed
"This will never do. Now for my
last hope"
The third letter proved to be only
an agents advertisement.
II am glad of it," said Arthur.
Nonsense, Janet; mother would
never hear of such a thing. What
could possess you to imagine it? Let
us be serious. You can still have
Uncle Alfred's clerkship, l suppose,
Redge?"
II suppose so," rather sullenly.
Sixty pounds year, after sending
me to Oxford, too. ! wonder how he
has the face!"
Il wouldn't despise sixty pounds a
year." said Arthur: Il wish l had a
chance Of it,"
Il never said I did despise it; only
when one has been brought up to ex-
pect everything to be so differ
ent--"
Hush" cried Tola. as not that
papa calling?"
A stentorian voice rang through
the house.
Boys! l say, boys"
: Reginald rose slowly and went
downstairs.
Poor boy! 1t is hard on him,
Said Janet. Il really did think
Uncle Alfred would have acted differ
emily"
81 think it was very kind Of him.; -
said Tola; land after all Reggie's
protestations, it seems that he wants
to give up the only chance any one
of us has had, except Tommy"
Tommy"
"Yes, Tommy. No! don't frown at
me. / did not mean to let it out, but
as have begun l may as we'll finish.
Tommy has earned ten shillings from
the Plumtree Gazette"
well done, Thomas" said Arthur.
pulling his brothers curly wig. And
how"
"By my literary efforts" said Tom.
81 have been a contributor to that
famous weekly"
How often? When? What do