The state herald., 1910-03-18
Disturbing the
Family Peace

ihai hcu the llTeu-eyeu nlOtnef OF IOuT
smiling youthfully in spite of the sill
yer in her hair and the lines of care
around her mouth. when question
was at issue each of us conceded
triile till we got into the habit of mov-
ing about as peacefully as the stars
in their courses. But last Christmas |
was ruthlessly awakened to the fact
that my flock has bellicose instincts"
The tired-eyed mother sighed and
began to explain.
Our house Is SO small, you know.
that we're packed in as snugly as peas
In pod. Every Christmas we had
been nnlucky enough to be deluged with
from forty to fifty books, with the re-
suit that the house was overilowing.
Every fiat surface, no matter what its
original duty might have been, has
been compelled to do service as n
book stand. AS last Christmas was
approaching, we decided in family
council not to give books to one an
other, for If we received lust one
more it would have to be put on the
pantry shelf.
In spite of our care, however, one
book managed to break the blockade.
Annette received popular novel gor.
geously bound.
Though we were all vitally interest
ed IN what we received ourselves, each
OF us managed within the next day
or so TO take, a sly peep between the
covers of Annette's book. A few
nights after Christmas the trouble
came TO head. 1t was cold and rainy,
and the children were all at home to
dinner, the first time for weeks.
Jack. he's the Oldest. jumped up
from the table before Annie brought
in the dessert.
He made direct for the library,
where | heard rustling of papers
on the table. and then the familiar
creaking of the old springs on the
divan as Jack threw himself In his Gus.
tomary place. Father looked up sus.
piciously and with an alert air. Then
he did strange thing. He showed his
chair back from the table, and. with.
out stopping to say grace marched into
the library. listened intently
oh. you have It, | heard father
say. with little disappointment in
his voice.
1T seemed only a minute till Pris-
ella and Ed. the twins. jumped up
from the table together and made a
beeline for the library. My heart beat
faster. Even the clock seemed to be
ticking anxiously as | listened. Ed.
YOU know. is at that combustible age
when one often is more strenuous
than elegant
There was n grand march around
the library, there was n wild scramble
of papers and magazines: then heard
a low. buzzing consultation.
"'Pig' II was Ed. kissing at the en-.
tirely unconscious Jack.
Pig you therel" repeated Ed.
Let go the book came sulkily
from Jack Quit It. tell you. DO you
want to tear it?'
You don't expect TO keep II all
evening. hope declared imperious
Priscilla. with well-feigned surprise.
surely she went on In a queenly
fashion. the rest OF us have some
rights. Anyway and there was half
sob In her voice. Ed and were Just
crazy to see whom she married and
we"
Let the old pig alone" comforted
I h.. 1aaf ~ ,l. a
table as II snapped into position.
In the meantime Annette was hny.
Ing a one-sided consultation with me
as to how her new white dress was
to be made. | was trying TO lengthen
out our talk. but II has been so many
years since have dared TO make even
a suggestion to my grown.up daughter
that my ruse was pitlful failure
Annette settled all my objections In a
porcmptory fashion. and then sailed
mniestically into the library with an
ominous rustic to her skirts. For the
first time In my life ! regretted that
Annette was to spend the evening In
the bosom OF her family. The new
book belonged TO Annette,
But It's mine-it was given 10 me-
came TO me In Annctto's Icy accents.
ITS mine now. since possession Is
nine points of the law ohuckled jack.
who IL studying TO be lawyer
ITS always wise to obey Annette.
She nouncod TO the plano and began
pounding out Chopln's funeral march.
During the bombardmcnt crept
Into the room and took copy OF my
iayorltc. Mrs. browning We were the
most suspicious looking crowd Al OF
us were pretending to be busy. and all
were secretly watching Jack.
suddenly the telephone bell rang.
'jackl' Annette announced. who
hnd answered the bell. IT'S for YOU
Jack nprang from the divan. ten