The west shore., September 06, 1890, Page 55, Image 7

WEST SHORE.
55
D CmilyA.Kello,
" Semember, Josephine, never to climb np on the leaf of the desk."
This was what father had said only last week, and Josephine had for
gotten it already. That was why she lay sobbing on the floor, in grief and
dismay, looking np once in a while at the ruin she had wrought. Father's
desk was his most sacred possession, after you had named mother and the
children, and she knew how it would hurt bim to see It broken; and she
knew it would hart him more to see that Josephine had forgotten his injunc
tion. But she had seen, np on the high shelf, the " beauty-cup " which
she loved, and she did want it so. She had gathered a few late flowers,
and they would look so pretty in that cup. Poor posies, they lay scattered
about, wishing, no doubt, that they were back again in that sheltered gar
den nook where (he had found them. In her haste she bad forgotten
father's words, and pulling out one slide she had let down the lid and
climbed upon It, The stout, little hinges did their best to hold up " Miss
Roly-poly," with the help of only one slide, but gave way under the weight,
and down all came in a heap. The crash brought mother to the scene
gentle mother, who never could speak a harsh word to a sorrowing little
one ; but such accidents were happening altogether too often to this impul
sive child, and something must be done to stop it,
" Josephine," she said, with earnest gravity and a serious shake of the
head, " I don't know what father will say to this. I'm afraid he will give
you a severe reprimand."
Josephine shivered with apprehension and bowed her head still lower
In abject sorrow.
" There, daughter, don't cry any more," added mother. " Go, wash
your face and run out of doors."
" 0, dear me, 0, dear me bus I " cried Josephine, making her way
slowly down the steps, with her apron over her head, " I don't want father
to give me a t'rere rtpermand. I never had one, but they must hurt dre'fful.
0, where can I go?"
She ran down the side yard and threw herself nnder the Bhade of the
apple trees. The birds sang overhead and the rosy apples dropped, one by
one, about her. But she did not hear the birds, she did not want the fruit.
She never could eat again nor play any more. To meet dear dither's eye In
reproof would break her heart, and then 0, the dreaded " repermand."
She jumped up and ran into the old gymnasium ; closing the door behind
her, she battened Into the bowling alley. She caught up a ball and sent it
rolling, but stopped In a panic, fearing its clatter would betray her hiding
place. She wished she knew what a " repermand " whip was. It must be
something like a horsewhip. She knew of nothing more awful. Dinner
time came and passed and hunger reinforced her sense of utter desolation.
She crept cautiously to the window and peeped out. The other children
were playing In the yard, and, 0, dear, there were the Scott children, too.
There had been company to dinner, and she had not been there. The tears
flowed afresh. They always did have such good things to eat and such nice
talks when there was company to dinner. But, perhaps, father would not
feel like talking when he had a little girl to punish. She knew how quiet
and sorry be looked when any of the children had been naughty. The skies
were dark and dreary; they gave her no cheer. Shivering with cold and
worn out with crying, she wandered bsck Into the darkest corner, and
climbing over all the benches curled herself np in a little heap on the far
thest one. With wet cheek resting upon her chubby hand she sobbed her
self to sleep.
Meanwhile the mother was busy as busy could be, not guessing but
what her little girl had long ago dried her tears, and not for one moment
imagining that her words had been so cruelly misunderstood. Yet, although
compiny had arrived and the duties of hospitality pressed, her thoughts
turned often to her usually dutiful little daughter whose heedlessness brought
trouble to them both. When futher came home he went right in to greet
the guests, and the tale of disaster was postponed. The dinner table was
more than full and the younger ones must ait till the " second table." So
it came to pass that mother did not miss Josephine until she came to pro
vide for their dinner after the guests had risen. Then she dispatched one
of the boys to find her. As soon as the guests had driven away she has
tened back to the dining room.
" Has Josephine come? " she asked. " Did you find her, John? "
" No, I can't And her anywhere."
" Why, where can she be? When did you see her last, Winnie? "
" I have not seen her since this morning when she broke the desk."
Father was told of the broken desk and the missing child, and he at
once ordered a general search. The whole big house was ransacked. Then
John went to the barn and Joe to the garden ; Winnifred searched throngh
the east orchard and Martha hastened to grandmother's. Every comer of
the woodhouse was overhauled and the attic again explored. The tearful
little ones were adding their lamentations to the general distress, when Joe
rushed in, shouting
" I've found her I I've found her 1 "
"Where, where?"
" In the old gym., fast asleep. Come and see her. She looks bo
cunning."
All hastened across the yard. Father lifted her in his strong arms.
" Poor little girl ! " everybody said, as they saw the traces of tears.
She gazed about wildly, then, looking up Into the kind, fatherly face,
she threw her arms about his neck and buried her face in his bosom.
" Josephine is not afraid of father, is she ? "
" I didn't mean to be naughty, father. Please don't give me a a'vere
repermand."
" Dear child," said mother, " yon have suffered already more than you
will from any reprimand father will ever give you."
" I'll tell you what I'll give you, Josephine. It will be a nice, warm
dinner that mother has waiting for you in the oven."
" 0, dear," sighed Josephine, as she pressed her cheek against his.
" I'll never be afraid of you again, father, If I break forty desks, and I'll
never climb up on another if you should have fifty of 'em."
TALKS AT HOME.
. Ill Table Talks-What do you talk about at the table ? Is it simply
"Please pass the bread," "Some more potato, thank you," or even
" Mother, you do make such good pie? " These are all necessary and right,
especially the last one. We should never forget to praise the work of the
one who makes the home food attractive and nourishing. But words about
the edibles, even though they be kindly and cheery ones, should not form
the staple of conversation at the table.
Could I sit down, unseen, at your tables I could soon tell how you are
educating yourselves and each other; for even your faithful teachers can
hardly do as much for you as you can do for yourselves and the home circle
through your table talk. How much time do you spend daily at the table?
Surely not lees than an hour, and most of us spend two hours there. Those
who are Interested in the Chautauqua readings urge that this grand course
of supplementary study can be accomplished, year by year, by wisely using
forty minutes each day. If this be so, what great things might be effected
were the time spent at the table devoted to lively and improving conversa
tion. What you learn there will be remembered long after you have for
gotten book lessons. Take up matters of local interest. Is your street
being paved? Discuss the manner of it, and tind out, If possible, whether
It Is a good and durable pavement that Is going down or whether it will
probably have to be torn up and replaced within a year or two. Are you In
the'midetof a political campaign? Learn all you can of the principles of
the different parties to that you may form some opinion as to the relative
points of strength and weakness. Discuss the books you read and the
notables of whom yon read. Discuss the editorials as well as the news
items In the papers. I am glad that you have such a paper as Wkst Siiori
to study. I am sure you will And in It only what will make you stronger
and wiser. If your father or grandfather was a soldier In our last war, ask
him to give you reminiscences of his battles and marches; and after supper
get out your best msp and go over the story with its help. You will learn
more geography in one evening than you have done In all the week at
school. When questions of manners or the correct use of our English lan
guage come up when you are at work or play, lay them by till dinner time
and ask mother and the older sisters and brothers for their opinions. Keep
abreast of the times, as the saying is. Note the movements of national
importance, the matters of reform, and even foreign affairs. I am sure that
It is better to say "do" than "don't;" but I must add two "don'ta."
Don't discuss the affairs of your neighbors, and don't speak sharp or
unkind word at the family table. Such utterances are as much out of place
there as are unholy thoughts at the hour of prayer, for the family gathering
should ever be sacred to the spirit of love and kindliest courtesy.
It is stated that between 7,000,000 and 8,000,000 feet of timber will he
required for the ties to complete the extension of the Great Northern rail
road from Seattle to Its connection with the Fairhaven A Southern, the
contract for which has been awarded to Mr. It. A. Wooley, of Wooley. The
San Francisco Bridge Company has been given the contract for bridging the
Snohomish, Stillaguamish and Skagit rivers, work to be commenced imme
diately and finished by the drat of December. Piles are being driven for
the bridge across Salmon bay, and clearing and grading are being prose
cuted assiduously all along the line with the Idea of completing the entire
road by the first of January, 1801,
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