Kitty's Class Day and Other Stories

t your girl marry this Lamb? Why, the man's a fool!" began Aunt Kipp, af

ow that, when you never saw hi

I've a deal of penetration in judging charac

hotly. But Polly also possessed penetration; and, well knowing that contradiction would

ke fo

does the girl mean?"

unselfish, faithful and loving; that he took good care of his old parents till they died, and never thought of himself while they needed him. He loves me dearly; will wait for me a dozen years, if I sa

n marrying him?"

, I

immediately," was the so

soon?" cried Mrs. Snow, with a repro

Judge Banks about altering m

o had hovered about the door, uttered a suppressed whistle of d

so the boy can drive, and all of yo

on her side. She grew affable at once, was quite pressing in her invitation, regretted that Sophy was too busy to go, praised Polly's hat; and professed herself quite satisfied with "tha

ndignation, which only made her look ten times prettier, sat in front with Toady, who was a sight to see as he drove off with his short legs planted against the boot, his elbows s

r by any saw-mills," said the old lady, as if the

, with a crack which wo

h pos

owing account of the splendors of her own wedding, and aggravated the boy by frequent pokes and directions in the art of driving, of which she was of

r hold her tongue and do her good," he said to him

, and Bob started off at a brisk trot, as if he objected

" shrieked Aunt Kipp, or tried to shriek, for the bouncing and bu

said Toady, with a wicked triumph in

bout, under, over, and before the horse, as only distracted hens could do. It was too much for Bob's nerves; and, taking matters into

and felt the frantic clutchings of the old lady's hands. But both grew sober as a shrill car-whistle sounded not fa

t over in time," said Polly, glancing anxiously to

ried the boy, tugging with all his

od sense might have checked him, if Aunt Kipp hadn't unfortunately recovered her voice at this crisis, and uttered a succession of the shrillest

Aunt Kipp, thrusting her head out of the wind

sence of mind, and dropping the reins to cling to her bro

pulled off, for "Never say die," was his motto, and th

ing cry, a terrible reeling and rattling, they did do it; for Bob cleared the tra

look which he never forgot; and Toady tried to say, stoutly, "It's

the sidewalks, doing nothing but add to Bob's fright and the party's danger. But Toady was wrong,-they did not smash up at the bridge; for, before they

refreshed herself with hysterics if the sight of Toady hadn't steadied her. The boy sat as stiff and rigid as a wooden figure till they took the reins from

Tell mother I stood by you l

udicrously deplorable spectacle was seldom seen. Quite unhurt, though much shaken, the old lady insisted on believing herself to be dying, and kept the town in a ferment till three doctors had p

y's gallant behavior, she solemnly ordered him up to receive her blessing. But the sight of Aunt Kipp's rubicund visage, surrounded by the stiff frills of an immense nightcap, c

ce, and is overcome by what you refuse to believe. I shan't forget that boy

but the murmur of voices, and the sound of stifle

enary creatures, don't exult too soon! there's time yet," she muttered; and presently, un

n can be said of many saints and sages. He adored Polly, was dutifully kind to her mother, and had stood by T. Snow, Jr., in many an hour of tribulation with fraternal fidelity. Though he had long blushed, sighed, and cast sheep's eyes at the idol of his affections, only till lately had he dared to bleat forth his passion. Polly loved him be

ey would make us. I'm tired of being a slave to a cruel old woman just because she's rich. If it w

ady, who, in his character of wounded hero, reposed with a lordly air on the sofa, e

o your dear father, who was devoted to her while he lived, to provide for his children when he couldn't;" after which remarkably spirited s

yself and you too," remarked Toady, with the cheery be

we must either break away altogether or be galley-slaves as long as Au

t he wanted, but thought it might be selfish to urge it. "Have you tri

asn't got any," cried Poll

d Toady, quite unconscious of any appr

hed Van. "Well, Polly, if the old lady has no heart you'd bet

e. I just wish she could hear you make it, for

Van, placidly; and so he was, for Polly called him a g

ght be a great deal happier than we are now?" asked Polly, making a pretty little tableau as she put her hand through Van's arm and looked up

t of slavery. But you are not going to be poor, nor worry about anything. We'll just be married and take mother and Toady home and be as jolly as grigs, and never think of Mrs. K. again,-unles

lly, trying not to relent, but fe

rtable with Polly, and I'd help Van in the store, when I've learned that confounded multiplication table," he a

dfully offended and I don't wish to be ungr

and been a happy, useful, motherly, old soul; but she didn't choose to, and now she must take the consequences. No one care

ipp!" said P

given so little happiness, whose age had won so little reverence, and whose death would cause s

r; then the next time we get run away with,

e boy till he had hardly a button left, and at the paternal air with which he now prop

came to the surface, and the mental shower-bath just received had produced a salutary change. Polly wouldn't have doubted her aunt's possession of a heart, if she could have known the pain and loneline

seful woman, but I didn't cho

te. But with regret, rose the sincere wish to earn a little love before the end came, and the old perversity gave

my money; I'll make 'em take it: they turn their backs on me; I'll jus