NATURE'S FIBST PAPER MAKERS. 441 



Sarah was not disposed to yield the point, especially 

 as she was smarting under Dan's keen thrust. 



"Pshaw!" she exclaimed, "You culled pussons 

 allez build your idees like a hornet does it's nest, 

 upside down. Wat 7 're heern tell is Uiat the very 

 sight in the house uv the fust wasp uv the season, let 

 alone killin' uv it, is sure to bring bad luck. It's a 

 sign uv an onpleasant 'quaiutance, and ther's no good 

 luck in that, I''m sure !" 



The cook rattled her knitting needles vigorously, 

 and shot a triumphant glance at her venerable an- 

 tagonist. 



But Dan was not to be suppressed thus, llevolving 

 on his cricket, he turned full toward the kitchen door, 

 and assuming a demure expression and subdued tone, 

 replied : 



"Now den, Sary Ann, I 'low yo's right dis time. I 

 gibs up de pint. I done remember, jes now, dat one 

 tickler yaar I was so onlucky as to see de fust wasp ob 

 de season ; dar was two ob dem in fac'. An' dat was 

 de berry yaar I fust hab de honor to make yo' 'quen- 

 tance, Sary Ann ! Ya-as, I guess yo's right dis time." 



He resumed his position on the cricket with a 

 •solemnity that was not disturbed by the general mer- 

 riment of our party. The Mistress, however, was 

 plainly not amused. Her face was flushed and drawn 

 into lines of disapprobation, as she turned upon me a 

 glance of remonstrance. Indeed, it was only in the 

 face of many protests that I had been able to carry my 

 purpose to keep the room on Conversation Nights a 



