4 i
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!
I
MBMimMI
rn
1 1'LVj 1VXJ V JMLJLliMK.
T t l-y k iMrnnrirriMm
: .'
u. w. iwiitiiitoTiir.it .fet'o.,
t1)' nm4 fwr f-rft
Oil, (ho world h n-brlin with Iho iiwcotnou (if
Htiiiiruor;
Tho Ik Ion uro doop lliio,nul thooarth iHilnrk
Iluttlio Huft little cheok of till prooloiis new
urcon;
- tilllHllft 1
ciiinur
Ih douror to mo tlinn nil rosos, I woont
This Roft llttlo ehouk, I ill 1 1 to mints bo lmijf
lonely,
Mukus tho wot Id Ruum iw bright ns If nil worn
iimv-mmlo:
1'or thU Hlnit litunun llowor in for mo, nnd mo
only.
To tiring It to bounty, to wntoli lost It fmlo.
Llo clone, llttlo hi'ftd, to thn hourt thntyoii
lluhtoni
Ollug fiint, llttlo Imtid. to tho Imnil you mnko
xtrongl
Intertwine, llttlo fo, with tho llfo thnt you
brighten,
For the lo o of you brings buck Uin Hourot of
HOtlgl
O my Imbyl my bnhyt thoro' much you mint
touch mo:
Thoroiiro iirotiloms that only your dimple
ciiii miIvo;
And 't In only through you that tho bout good
o.in reach mo,
And It H mound you that my bunt thoughts
ro vol vol
Ah, dear llttlo foot! I nuiRt nit down bulow
jou,
And try 10 llnloiril nil mv tmnliln unit nnlii.
Tor what Mthoio lott of my lllo 111 to show
yuii
My ohlld, that hits made me turn chlld-liko
llgllllll
Ihiwanl Oluntlon, tn italilwln' MonlhUi,
STEP-MOTHER AMD STEP-
A Story of JLovc, JouIou.h.v, llu
trcd, Itovongo and Heroic
Solf-Siiorlfk'u.
llv thr Author of
ithitr of " Dura Thome," "A llrUlne
c." "Al War With Jlcmelf," "A
ilen Dawn," " l'iri I.,wl
of J, ore.
OnUlen
Mm lleutt" "A Hoa In
'liuinu, vc., tie.
CHAlTKll I.
Tlioro novor was pioturo moro tlax
aling perhaps thiin tluit presented by
Liu'ihtoii Moro with its covering of
snow. Snow boautilios everything it
touches, but it changed Lnrohton into
"fairy-land," lyinjr liko u bridal vcl
ovor tho fair earth. It w;w wortii
traveling a hundred miles to soo tho ta'l
firs mid larches stretch out their grand,
biiro branches lndon with snow, to sou
tho liolly-troos with thoir fair bunions
of scat-lot berries and tho soft, wliito
snow lying in tho hollow of tho glossy
croon loaves, to son tho giant oaks and
hoodies, and tho hoar-frost liko a not of
dolioate silver thrown ovor tho hudgos,
to soo tho grand, picturesque pilo of
building called Larchton Moro. and tho
broad shoot of wator from whioh it took
its niuno, which was frozon ovor now
and looked liko a silver lako.
Ovor tho beautiful landsoapo tho
moon was shining brightly. Tlio mag
nillcont mansion, with its picturosquo
turrets, its grand swoop of torracos, and
its largo oriol windows, stood out clear
ly, tlio moon lighting tin ovory lino of
tho dolioate tracery round doors and
windows. From Iho windows streamed
Hoods of light: and, when tho groat hall
door openod to admit ono or othor of
tho numerous visitors, there ctimo forth
a warm, ruddy glow that was cheerful
and pleasant to soo.
Tho interior of tho house was tho
very ideal of comfort and luxury; tho
cntranco-hall with Us Jolty groined roof,
tho magnllioont suite of rooms that lay
on oithor side, iho broad staircase with
its rich crimson carpets and wltito
statues, tho largo and woll-lillud picture
gallory, and tho broad corridors upon
width tiio sleeping-rooms opened, wore
all exquisitely decorated and brilliantly
lighted, while tho air was fragrant with
tho breath of llowcrs.
Jt was six o'clock on Christmas Evo;
and tlio solo occupant of tho drawing
room was a very young and handsome,
man, who looked far older than ho real
ly was. Ho was of lofty stature and
powerful build, with a cortain woll
brod ease and careless grace that bo
oamo him well. His head, well sot and
proudly carried, noble in shape and con
tour, was crowned with clusters of dark
hair. At iirst sight ho looked unliko an
Englishman, resembling ono of those
dark, handsome Spaniards whom Velas
quez has immortalized. After a second
glance, ono felt quitu sure that ho was
English, from tlio frank and bold ex
pression of his face. His complexion
was dark, and a dark moustacho shaded
a boautifully-shapod mouth.
His charaotor might bo read in his
handsome, high-bred faoo; ho was
proud, generous, impulsive, impatient
of control, frank, bold and independent;
andjudging from tho dark eyes that
shono at times with dreamy splondor,
ho was poetical and imaginative por
liaps not tlio bost-tomporod of his race,
given to quick ebullitions of hot angor,
forgotten a few moments afterwards,
but none tho loss sharp while thoy
lasted. Ho possessed a simple, straight
forward sonso of lienor that won ovory
one.
llo might have been forgivou some
impatience at that moment, for ho had
much to try him. His father was bring
ing homo a stop-mother, and the young
man could not conceal his angor. It
soemed to him unjust and unfair that a
girl should bo brought into thoi-ry
heart of his homo and put in his moth
er's place. His father iiad been happy
enough for twenty years; wliy should
ho bring a wifo homo nowP to add to
tho young man's annoyance, not only
was his lather bringing his now wifo
liomo, but ho had also arrange I lor tho
usual Christmas-party,; and tho sou had
little heart just then oithor for receiv
ing or entertaining guosts. So that
Iloss Lewin Ctitnnor had somo little ex
cuse for the frown on Ids dark,, hand
some faco.
His father, Sir Austin Cumnor, of
Larcliton Moro, was almost tho last de
scendant of tho grand old raco of Cum
nors. Tho Cumnors had boon holders
of Larcliton since tlio reign of James 1.;
and, though frequently oll'ered a title,
iiad novor cared to accept It. Thoy had
boon quite content with tho simplicity
of thoir own untarnished namo. Hut
Sir Austen differed from hi ancestors
in this respect; and, when ho was of
fered a Baronetcy for somo political
scrvit'o that ho had rondorod to Govern
ment, ho accopted it. Tho ostates of
Larcliton Moro were not entailed. It
was always in tlio power of tho head of
tho family to leavo thorn as ho would.
Hut, as a rulo, thev hud passed oithor
from father to oldest son or from
brother to brother. Sir Austen was
quito at liborty, if ho chose, to disin
herit his son and soil all his property;
thoro was no one to say him nay or to
interfere.
Sir Auston was a handsome, accom
plished man; and during his Conti
nental tour lie met and foil in love with
a Spanish heiress. Ho married her and
thoy lived together in perfect happi
ness. Inez do Luna loved her hand
some English husband with all her
Iioart. Ono son Iloss was born to
them; and then camo tho sorrow that
blighted Sir Austen's life. His beauti
ful voumr wifo lingered out in thn
,1 n - - r ---
woods one night while a heavy mist
was falling, caught a violent cold,
whioh settled on her lungs, and, in
spito of all that skill, love or money
could do. sho died in loss than six
months, lotving hor little child Ross
and hor husband disconsolate.
For twenty years Sir Austen mourned
hor, and devoted himself to tho boy.
When ltoss wont to Eton and Oxford,
his father spent a great deal of his timo
in traveling up and down to t$eo him;
and, when business of somo importance
connected with liis lato wife's ostato
took Sir Austen to Spain, by his desire
ltoss remained at I-archton Moro.
"You will iind plenty of apiusoment
anil plenty of occupation," said Sir
Auston. "You will have hunting, shoot
ing and fishing, and the caro of the os
tato. It will teaoli you moro than all
olso to have tho management of tho
placo in your own hands." And Ross
was well pleased to bo able to prove
his ability.
Sir Austen had not thought of boing
away longer than two mouths; but in
this case tlio adago of "Man proposes"
was voriliod. Passing through l'arisou
his way to Spain, ho staved a few days
with some old friends, Lord and Lady
Sligo. At thoir house he mot a beau
tiful English girl, who, from tho lirst
moment she saw him, marked him for
her own. Sho was a distant relative of
Lady Sligo, clover and accomplished,
and at tlio ago of twonty-six still un
married. Sir Auston, who had novor
given oven a thought to tlio sex since
the death of his boloved wifo, foil an
easy victim; and Hester Hoybum bo
oamo Lady Cumnor almost boforo Sir
Auston know what ho was doing.
Thoy woro married at tlio English
Embussy. Lord and Lady Sligo, with
a host of fashionable friends, woro
present. Tlio marriage was hurried
on, becauso Hester declared the ono
great desire of hor life was to visit
Spain. Hut tlio fact was, Sir Auston
talked so much and so often of his son
that she was afraid, if ho onco wont
away from Paris without hor, Uoss
would prevent the mtvrriago. In hor
bland, amiable way sho had contrived to
obtain ovory infonnat on from Sir Aus
ton. Sho know that, although his title
must doscond to his son, his estates
woro not entailed, and tint, if he ohoso to
do so, ho could leave thorn to hor; and
she resolved that ho should at least
give hor tho greatostsharo of them.
She talked to him continually about
this son of his who so strongly re
sembled his beautiful Spanish mother;
aim in nor noart ovon men sho was
jealous of him. Sir Austen boliovod it
was her kindly interest in all that con.
corned him which made hor ask so
many questions; and ho was delighted
to givo hor ovory detail about tho boy
his feats in tho hunting-hold and with
tho gun, his skill in all manly sports
and tho lino arts, his polished manners
and graceful bearing. Tlio father
spoke from tlio depth, of his heart, for
his son was to him tlio very apple of
his oyo. Hester know by hor own koon
instinct that all would bo lost for hor if
father and son mot boforo hor mar
riage. Therefore she atlcoted a great
dosiro to go to Spain, " the land ot
chivalry and romance," sho said. "I
liavo always longed to seo it."
Of course, Sir Auston could say
nothing loss than that hor wish hhould
bo gratified; and, as thoy were en
gaged, it was hardly worth while to de
ler tho marriasre until ho damo back
from Spain. It was just a llttlo against
His bettor judgment that ho married
hastily. Ho did not ask his son ovor to
the wedding. Lady Sligo told him it
would bo miioh bettor not to do so.
"It would bo awkward," sho said,
"for a young bride liko Hosier to have
a grown-up son at hor marriage, and,
of course, Hester must bo consulted
lirst."
So Sir Auston merely wrote to his
sou to toll him of the groat impondino
change, and that his journey would bo
prolonged.
Thoy had boon away fifteen months
when this Christmas Evo camo round;
and lloss, in compliance with his
fatlior's wish, had invited somo of his
old friends to moot him on his return.
Dinner had boon ordered for oiht,
and tho groat olook had struck "tho
hour of seven when lloss lirst heard
tho sound of approaching whools. Ho
roso hastily from his ch.iir, and sought
comfort by pacing up and down the
room.
"I suppose It Is child'sh." ho said;
"but I do not liko to know that my
mother's place is tilled. I am afraid
that I shall hate tho woman wh Vtts in
Jior chair, wears her jewels and takes
hor namo. It will seem han' to mo to
hoar my father uso loving words to hor.
The fooling is childish and unreason
able, porliaps. My fafhor hail a per
fect right to pleaso himself. 1 must
try to conquer myself. At least, I will
rocolvo her klmtly. I must novor for
got that sho is a woman and a lady."
So, when tho carriage stopped, ho
went down to tho liall door. His
father was the first to descend, ahd
lloss hastened to him. After tho
fashion of Englishmen, there was no
seeno, no embracing; nothing but an
oagor clap of each mind told how de
lighted thoy were to moot again. Tho
son's neart went out to his noble,
liandflomo, genial father, and the
father's to his handsome, eager, im
petuous son. Thoy stood together in
silence for a few moments; and then
Sir Auston said, gently:
"I am glad to seo you again, my
boy."
"And I, father I am glad to seo
you."
Then camo tho sweet sound of a
woman's voice. Sir Auston turned
hastily.
"I have brought quito a largo family
homo, Iloss," ho said. "Como and
welcome my treasuros."
A tall, graceful, superbly-dressod
woman approached them; and Sir Aus
ton said, In a tone of some emotion:
"My dearest wifo, lot mo introduce
to vou my son."
Iloss looked at tho veiled figure bo
foro him. Tho costly volvots and furs
trailed on tho ground. She raised hor
veil hastily, as though she wished to
speak, and ho was almoststrickon dumb
by tho sight of her beautiful laco. She
was exquisitely fair; but, instead of tlio
meek, amiable expression that general
ly accompanies blue e,os and golden
hair, this lady had a proud, determined
look; and ho did not liko tlio expres
sion of hor 030s no tenderness or love
lav in tliom. Sho raised hor faco to his,
and ho lightly touched her cheek with
liis lips. Sir Austen looked on delight
ed. "That is right," ho said. "When
my wifo and my son have learned to love
each other, my happiness will bo com
plete." "Which son?" asked her ladyship,
laughingly, as she drew hor rich furs
and volvots round hor and hastened in
to tho hall, which was lined by servants
in tlio Cumnor livery.
Iloss wondered just a little at hor
words; and then ho was standing faco
to faco with tlio loveliest girl lie had
ovor beheld face to faoo boforo ho had
timo to wonder who she was. Sir Aus
ton said, with a bright, happy smilo:
" I told you that I was bringing a
largo family home, Iloss. This is I
am almost at a loss how to oxpla'n tho
relationship-Jet mo say, my adopted
daughter Loam Dynovor. Sho is a dis
tant relative of your mother, Iloss. A
cousin of your mother married an offi
cer in tho English army. They aro
both dead, and have loft tho child to
me."
Iloss' heart wont out to her in simple,
kindly atVoction. Ho worshipped liis
motlior's memory so reverently that any
ono belonging to her would bo welcome
to him.
Sir Austen went on:
"If Loam is my adopted (laughter,
sho must bo your sister, lloss."
"1 shall bo very pleased to welcome
a sister," ho said, frankly.
As ho hod kissed Lady Cumnor, ho
bout down to kiss tlio sweet faoo; and
that kiss bcaled the girl's fato.
" You are very kind to mo," she said,
f;ontly; and then she hurried on after
Aily Cumnor.
"Tho introductions must bo over
now," said lloss to his father, with a
smilo; but Sir Auston laughed gaily.
" Not yet, Iloss. Ono of tho most im
portant lias to como yet."
To lloss' surprise, ho saw that thoro
was a second carriage at tho door.
From it, now that tho first had driven
avay, descended a portly woman car
rying in her arms something carefully
wrapped up.
"Now, lloss," cried Sir Austen,
"soo now for my grand surprise! I
have not only brought you homo a
mother and a sister, but a little brother.
How proud I am to show my littlo son
to my big ono!"
Iloss drew back in astonishment.
"You did not tell mo, father, that
you had another son."
"No," laughed Sir Auston; "I kept
it for you as a grand surprise. Hester
said you would bo so pleased. So vou
are, I am sure. Soo, Iloss, tho little
ono has hor ladyship's faco and goldon
hair."
Iloss bent ovor tho child. Tho nurse
raised the thick veil that hid the tiny
rose-bud faco.
"So this is my littlo brother," ho
said.
Tlio babv-oyos oponod in wonder to
llv themselves upon his faco, and tho
bab-lips relaxed into a faint smilo that
won the young man's heart, lloss
stooped down and kissed the tiny faco,
and tho nurse passed into tho house
with tlio young undor-nurao in hor
wako.
" I have brought a family, Iloss, have
I not?" said Sir Auston, laughingly.
" You loo surprised."
" I am surprised. I oxpeetod Lady
Cumnor, but not tho other two."
f "I wanted to write and toll j on when
littlo Hugh was born ; but my wifo said,
No ; it would bo a ploasant surpriso for
you."
"So it is; but I would rathor that
somo 0.110 had written to toll mo about
it. I fool awkward, as though tlioro
was something I could not understand.
Ar VOU wall nlmieiwl nbmit if f,il lwii'9 M
"los," ho replied; "
J." I'?" I"-""-" ".. v, ...W.Vl.
1 am, indeed.'
5Thon," said Ross, with Jds old
nfrriotlotifitn tJlAtlllT. "SO il'll I.
Yet lie wondered why Lady CumriorJ
had wanted to surprise mm ; anu no 101c
a strange, half-shy suspicion that It was
not from any very kind motive.
"It is good to boat homo again,'
said S r Austen, as ho looked round
when llo and hi.s son had entered tho
house. "Siuco I loft it, I have soon no
placo half so fair."
"You aro looking 'well, sir," said
Iloss
,oss, glanc ng at lus father, "ion
em at least ton year.s'younger.
Hcoin
"I am very happy, llosd," ropnea
Sir Austen, putting his arm around his
son nock. "I loved your mothor
with nil tho lovo of mv heart ; and,
when sho died, I beliovcil most honest
ly that all tho lovo, brightness and
happiness of my life were buried with
her. For twenty long years I novor
looked upon tho faco of a woman but
with indifference. I lived only for you."
"I know that," said tlio young man,
with a doop sigh as ho thought liow
different it would all bo now.
"When 1 saw Hester," continued
Sir Auston, "il was to mo as though
tho sun had broken through a dark
cloud. Iloved hor at onco, Ross. I
lovo lior very niuoh, but my matured
manhood's lovo is very different from
tho passionate lovo I had for your
mothor. A man novor loves twice in a
life-time in tho same fashion ; however,
I love Hester and my littlo son very
dearly.'"
Thoy had lovod caoh othor very
much, these two men ; and their hearts
opened one to the othor.
"1 will toil you frankly, father," said
Iloss, his handsome faco growing palo
with emotion, " that, when L first heard
of this matriage, I did not liko it I
was, not happy. I could not boar to
think of any 0110 olso in my mother's
placo. But, if you are so happy, 1 will
try tolovo her, too."
" That is liko ou, Iloss. I never ex
pected any dillicultics from you."
Then Iloss laid ono arm ovor his
father's shoulder.
"lam not quite sure, sir," he said,
"that I do not feol just a littlo jealous of
this younger sou of yours. I liavo always
been first. I am not sure how I shall
liko a rival brother."
Sir Auston laughed; but his lips quiv
ered with emotion.
"You will always bo first with mo,
Ross," ho answered. "You know that.
Tho baby-brother can never rival you.
Hark! Aro those tho Larcliton bolls?
How clearly wo can hoar them! I take
it as a good augury that on tho night I
bring my wifo and baby-son homo the
bolls aro ringing ' Peace on earth.'
What a happy Christmas it is for mo!
lloss, I fool quito young again as
though I were beginning life initead of
ending it. 1 can hardly believe that a
tall, strong, well-built man liko you can
be my son."
" I am very glad it is so." said lloss.
" Havo you done all I wish about tho
invit'itions?" asked Sir Austen.
" Yes; but it seemod to mo almost
strango that you should wish for a dinner-party
on tho lirst night of your com
ing homo, father."
'"If over you marry, Ross," said Sir
Auston, smiling, "you will find that it
is not always a case of do ng just what
you liko. It was Hester who suggested
it. She said that in all probability wo
should lind a family-party very tryin
1 did not ask her why." "
"Her ladyship again! Why did sho
say that, I wonder?" thought lloss.
"One word moie, sir," ho said, "be
fore you go just ono word. Will you
toll mo something about this beautiful
girl who you say is to bo my sisterP
Who is she?"
" Your mother had a cousin, Junia
d'Altra, who married Major John
Dynovor. Major Dj, novor had join
ed tho Carlists I cannot toll you
why; and ho was for somo years
with them. After his death his
wifo wont to live in London. Before
she died alio wrote to 1110. 1 never saw
hor; but I had heard our mother speak
of hor; and Junia asked mo to tako
charge of her daughter. Tho girl has
no fortune and sho is not a near relative;
but sho shall be liko a daughter to mo
for your motlior's sako. Hor ladyship
was very nice about it; and tlio girl will
bo a pleasant companion for hor."
"Now I know of what sho reminds
mo!" cried lloss. "I havo been puz.lino
over it ovor since I saw her faco. You
know Ary Schefler's picture, 'Tho
Christian Martyr1 the picture of a
young girl dead, floating down tlio river
with 11 light like an aureolo round hor
head?"
"Yes, I know it well," ropliod Sir
Auston.
"Sho has a faco liko that," said Iloss,
musingly.
"You aro quito right," agreed his'
fathor ; " and, so far as 1 know hor, sho
is of tho Htutr of which raartvrs aro
mado. Are all our old friends coming,
lloss?" '
"Yes, all of them, I boliovo," was
tho answer.
"Mrs. Pitt and Lady Viola?"
"Yos, I beliovo so. I havo had no
refusals. I shall bo anxious to know
how you think I havo managed the os
tato during y our absonco, sir."
"I shall Vest for a few days, Rose,
and then wo will havo a long day
for business. Now wo must iro: tTmr !j
tho first dinner-boll. Wb shall hardlv
ixnu iiuiu in iiifta, 1 am iircuj yet I
think wo did woll to havo our old friends
round us to-night."
Fathor and son wont to thoir respect
ive rooms, and lloss found himolf
moro than onco thinking of tho girl
whoso faco was liko that of the early
Christian martyr floating down the
dark waters of the Tiber.
to m: continuki).
Thoro is always room on top. This
is especially so with a crowded street
car. 1'h iUulo ph 1 a Vh ron idc-Il. raid.
PERSONAL AXWJJTEKAKY.
Millais is engaged upon a portrait
of Mr. Tennyson.
The man who wrote tho libretto of
'Billeo Taylor" is a roporlor on tho
London Times.
Messrs, Gilbert and , Sullivan are
going to call thoir now 'opora "Pa
tience" the namo of tlio dairymaid he
roine. llumoi1 has it lhat 'Miss Emma
Thursby, tho charming American can
tatrico, is "engaged" to a German no
bloman of immense wealth.
Mm. Julia Ward IIowo th'nks that
ovory teacher thicalpried. with a reduc
tion of salary slioulu become not only
a suffragist, but an apostlo of woman
stilfrago. (
Somo of Shakespeare's plays are to
bo performed in Loudon without socno
ry, as in tho oldon time, the imagina
tion of the audience being sjarto 1 in
the right diroction by such placards on
tlio plain wall as " A Room in Mac
beth's Cast'o" ami "A Wooded Doll."
The lato Stophen N. Stockwell,
managing editor of thcBoston Journal,
mado public bequests amounting to
$13,000, divided among nine religious
and benevolent institutions. Ho began a
lifo as a compositor on tho Worcester
Siy, and his lirst work on tho Joiiriial
was at tho case. ,
Mr. Benjamin 'Fitdi. of Buffalo, N.
Y., has just given to the Charity Organ
ization Society of that city property
amounting to 200,000. It id to bo used
by Mr. Fitch's.dosiro in founding and
maintaining an institution for the pliys
icalt moral and intellectual benefit "of
tho poor of Buffalo without distinction
of creed or sox.
I-ongfellow recently remarked ol
Hawthorne: "Ho was a shy man, and
exceedingly relinud. If auy ono
thought ho wroto with easo ho should
havo seen him as I have, seated at a
tablo with pen and paper beforo liim,
perfectly still, not wr ting a word. On
ono Occasion ho told 1110 he had been
sitting so for hours waiting for aa in
spiration to .write, meanwhile tilled
with gloom and an almost ayathetio
despair."
One night a burly Englishman who
had tho fa -ulty of exciting Carlyle to
frenzy by talking about O'Connell,
called on him. and a tor a little talk
about tho weather, at it thoy wsnt. It
was hot und heavy and a "lierco and
merciless contest. Tea put a brief stop
to it, but it soon began again. There
were several guests present and Mrs.
Carlyle put her foot on the English
man's, imploring poaco. He no sooner
felt tho pressure than he screunod out:
"Why don't you touch jour husband1
toe, Mrs. Carhle? I am sure he is far
moro to blame than I am." Tho whole
company burst out laughing, including
Carlyle himself, and tea was finished in
comparative tranquility. ,
HUMOROUS. A
Now that measles aro prevalent,
mothers as woll as astronomers are look
ing for spots on tho son Harvard j
Lampoon,
Indians never drink to drown sor
row. When thoy can get an thing to
drink thoy have" no sorrow to drown.
Boston Post.
Tho first sign of spring is tho shriek
of tho h msowito: "Wine the mud oil
your boots beforo you como in hero." -
lVciu Haven Ucijister.
A truo philosopher never argues.
Ho mentally conelu-les that his oppo
nent is an ass, and keeps h.s mouth
shut. New York Commercial Adver
tiser. An orange grove of twontv acres
costs aboutS 10,000. , Now you "can un
derstand why lhotrain boy can't possi
bly sell last' year1 a oranges, lined with
.saw-dust, for loss than ten cents apioee.
Burlington UawkX tc.
A woman may bo so sick all tho
winter that she can't wear her now
bonnet to church, but along towards
tho middle of April sho will mamu'o to
crawl out of bed, turn tho house upside
down, and call it "spring cleaning."
Xorristoum Herald.
Thoy had been engaged to be mar
ried fifteen years and still ho had not
mustered up resolution enough to ask
her to name tho happy day. Ono even
ing ho called in a warticularlv spoony
framo of mind, and asked her to sin"
him something tender and touching)
something that would "move" him.
Sho sat down at tho piano and saiv:
"'Darling, Ihim growing old." lirook
lijn Jiutile. v
Bub's composition on tho rhinoce
ros: Tho rinozerus lives in Azhor and
vou kantstioka pin in Mm cau-o liix
werskit iz bilt ov olo stoves Won a
rinozerus iz gontor bo kild yu mus al
wiw.e go up to him from be.oro so az
ho'll kno somethin ov it au' try to1
mako a placo for a bullit to git in. Ilia
no.o is got a upper teeth that's got no
businez ware it i. and if a boy shood
set down on it ho better sta plugd up
Willi tho tooth r'ols he'll bo all Avon
pore. I'd rather be apoiliwog it I wax
a rinozerus, tho1 I spose if I wuz I
woodcut. i'onkcrs azettc.
Fuchsias in Summer. Dr. Wolcott
ha-d a lot of fuchsias planted under tho
fehado of a high apple tree, and all sum
mer long thoy kept growing and bloom
ing better than any I liavo scon in tlio
noighbpihoud. No,t to tho m ranks a
lot of fuchsias planted in trout of an
oast facing house on Garden street, in
a rathor cool, thinly placo, and whore
thpy woro freely, bhoworod ,from tho
hoso on Summor evenings. Fuchsia
gracilis and virgata b.oom freoly with
us in sunny exposures, und aro graceful
and pretty, but as fuchsias the smallnoss
of their blossom, is a drawback to thoir
favor. Tdostof tho other fuchsias we
havo tried in sunny places aro not sat
isfactory Uurdcner's Monthly.