From Jest to Earnest

but, like all corporations, this committee had no soul and a very indefinite body. No one knew just who they were, or where to find them, and some of t

kitchen, breathlessly setting tables which were almost as speedily clea

lock began to gather in hungry expectancy at the door,-"I do declare, I'm near beat out. Is this a starvin' communit

left upon the plate as "manners," to a rather capacious mouth, "if they would eat up some o

of 'em. We don't," su

t of it is that it makes it oncomfortab

a shame we give Mr. Dlimm only six hundred. But come,

" said Mrs. Rhamm, wi

old and tough," ch

true wit, these hard-featured mothers in Israel set about

ried into the parlor or main room, and here Hemstead and Harcourt found them in characteristic conditions. Addie's and De Forrest's elegant noses were decidedly retrousses; Bel appeared both disgusted and

nature, as was the case with most of the others. Though it was evident that she had no sympathy with them, or for them, there was intelligent interest and wide-awake curiosity. While the others were incasing themselves in exclusive pride, she was eager to investigate and get en rapport with this new phase of huma

ottie, "I do

e I'm big and clumsy anyway, and now I'm so la

pathetically, but with a swif

a sympathetic auditor. "I'm dreadfully afeard I won't git no supper. I'm like the withered man at the pool o

thered, that's one comfort to

supper, if I could only git a

When is the pool troubled?

her affected and pious tone, and speaking with sharp eagerne

ist me in escorting this ol

instantly complied, while the others, understand

he hobbling mountain of flesh. When they came to t

ie to Hemstead, "for if she should f

ith the utmost deference, assisted t

s if she were a duchess,"

duchess. She is a

k, but said, "Such old-fashioned chi

aid the old woman, sh

, and Hemstead appeared, with his charge clinging to his a

ie Lammer, how did yo

"We hain't rea

k the marcies I've got down safe, and

d Lottie, glancing cur

she made, in her rich and tasteful costume and rare beauty, with tho

for our work. Besides, my dear, it's an orful dangerous place down here. I'm afraid we'll git eat up ourselves before the evening is over. I'm sure you would be, if you stayed. I wouldn't mind taking a bite myself"; and the good woman

d, and with a sign to Hemstead she drew him away, saying, "This exceeds any play I

it that humanity everywhere often has its ridiculous side, but I

d you be laugh

, awkward boys, who have a tendency to

t will always make you

't with

ance has been

well! I would not have believed

stranger to me. I have remarked before to-day, that I

y that I wish to

an say

le, only that it's best to appear just what we ar

ead of the stairs in the hall. "We did not know but that the sylph you escorted away had ma

ttie; "I'm just begin

e habitue of the store and tavern thought he could cover himself with glory by a trick, and at the same time secure a kiss from Lottie, the prettiest. The conspiracy was soon formed. A kissing game in one of the upper room

sume, and said, "We are having some games upstairs. Pe

the tall girl; "t

ie, who was now ready

let us

or he didn't relish the lawyer's presence, whom he knew by reputatio

pecimen of Scrub Oaks, who was a loafer of the village as De Forrest was an idler of the town. They both

e amused Lottie very much. When they reached the room,

said, "Now let us form a rin

; and then, with a nudge to Lottie, she explained, "He'll try to hit our ha

do, she left to be

orrest and Hemstead declined to play, but the latter slipped forward and stood near Lottie. He was not sure, bu

uddenly he wheeled round and struck her hands sharply; and to her horrified surprise it seemed but a second later that his repulsive face was almos

expected to laugh with him. He swaggered up to He

is well this gentleman interposed. If you had succeeded in your insult

e game," muttered he,

of the

all girl, faintly; "

asked Lottie, indignantly,

st; "and if you say so I'll give

nd do it now," was

something wrong, and took means to prevent it. How these nice-looking

sing games languished the rest of the evening; only young children, and a few of the coarser-natured ones, particip

an said, "I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself, Miss Marchm

ont," said Lottie, "t

ould like her and all her party to

er's wife? I am glad to make your acquaintance"; and she

the cry of an infant fro

Dlimm; "I thought I heard it befo

you and see the b

ch, on this portentous occasion, the three younger children were huddled, the others being o

r of an apartment and its occupants. But she politely, and from a certain innate interest, gave such attention to the baby as to win the mother's heart. It was but an or

ys within call; but the sole care of this chubby-cheeked Moloch, that would sacrifice its mother as unconscious

ou take care of tha

and the elder ch

nurse for all t

much as we can do to

eep any serv

kitchen, but she's almost as

you ge

ewhat as the birds

you h

bright, some days cloudy, and now and then a storm. That's the way it is with all,

ss enough with a

The crossest people I know a

d Lottie, reflectively. Then she whispered, as she walked sof

he eyes, were becoming obliterated by the white, drooping lids. Lottie looked as if she were

as a type of her own mind at that moment. She was

iches, these moments of peace with strange thrills of joy are constantly coming. If this worn mother could look down upon the child, and her

he weary cares, and ceaseless toil and anxiety of her lot. It was so out of keeping with the noisy throng and confused bustl

d and forward, uttering a low, crooning lullaby,-the gentlest sound that ever falls on mortal ears.

le, she asked, "What did you mean when yo

rplexed with their cares and troubles in this world, but when we get ho

om

only real home we have. We only 'stop,' as the Irish

pleasant home and rest after what

How do you t

ruth, I have not tho

Moses and Aaron were within the cool and shadowy tabernacle, feasting on spiritual manna, and

the evening arose, the upstairs members of the committee were helpless, and the best thing Mrs. Gubling, the leading spirit downstairs, could do, was to "slick up," as she said, and "go tell the parson's wife." But seeing Mr. Dlimm on the way

e hastened to the nursery,

inger impressively, the

gan her husband, r

"whatever's the matter don't wake th

here's three tables yet It's such a fine night, and the sleighing's so good, that lots more have come

do?" asked Mr.

th grave dignity, "no one shall leave our house hungry. You must ste

es duty clearly, though it is far from being agree-able. "Just give m

sement and indignation, and then, her face