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66 _. MALAESKAA.
_ Arthur — Arthur! you had better be quict, if you know when
you’re well off !’? exclaimed the mother, with a slight «motion of
the hand, which had a great deal of significant meaning to the mis-
chievous group.
‘© Oh, don’t — please, don’t??? exclaimed the spoiled urchin,
clapping hjs hands to his ears and running off to a corner, where he
stood laughing in his mother’s face. ‘I say Sarah, was it sweet? ””
-*¢ Arthur, don’t let me speak to you again, I say,’’ cried Mrs.
Jones, making a step forward and doing ‘her utmost to get up &
frown, while her hand gave additional demonstration of its hostile
intent. o .
- «© Well, then, make her tell me; you ought to cuff her ears for
not answering 2 civil question — hadn’t she, boys !’?
There was something altogether too ludicrous in this impudent
appeal, and in the look of demure. mischief put on by the culprit.
wo : ’ Mrs. Jones bit her lips and turned away, leaving the boy as usual,
‘victor of the ficld. ‘* He isn’t worth minding, Sarah,’’ she said,
i evidently ashamed of her want of resolution ; ** come into the § out-
} i
ti
room,’ I’ve something to tell you.”’
When the mother and daughter were alone, Mrs. Jones sat down
and drew the young girl into her lap. as
“6 Well, Sarah,’’ she said, smoothing down the rich hair that lay
against her bosom, ‘* Your father and [have been talking about you “4
to-day. You are almost sixteen, and can spin your day’s work
with any girlin the settlement. Your father says that after you
have learned to weave and make cheese, he will send you down to
aa Manhattan to school.’? " - pt,
4 ~ © Oh, mother, did he say so? in real, real, earnest?’ cried the -
delighted girl flinging her arms round her mother’s neck and kiss-
ing her yet handsome mouth with joy at the information it had just
conveyed. ‘* When will you let me go? I can learn to weave
and make cheese in a week.’’ ,
“Tf you learn all that he thinks best for you to know in two
years, it will be as much as we expect. Lighteen is quite young
i enough. If you are very smart at home, you shall go when you
are eighteen.” . .
<¢ Two years is a long, long time,’’ said the girl, in a tone of dis-
appointment; ‘* but then father is kind to let me goat all. I will
run down to the store and thank him. But, mother,’’ she added,
turning back from the door, ** was there really any harm in talking
2 with the Indian woman? There was nothing about her that did
be, mot scem like the whites but her skin, and that was not so very
i ark.”? “
a “Warm? No, child; how silly you are to Iet the boys tease you so.””
i ** {J will go and sce her again, thea — may [?”’ ro
4 ** Certainly — but sce; your father is coming to supper; run out
and cut the bread. You must be very smart, now; remember the
school ”’ * :
et
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