Afflictions Of Nobby Powers

People who complain from a mere habit of complaining aro a eource of disoomfort to theirfrienda, andaüord no littlo amusement to others. Invalidism demanda the tenderest sympathy. In such cases, "Put yourself in his place" should be constantly in mind. But peevishness ia a habit, and it ia a fact that the greatest sufferers are the most uiTComplaining. Aunt Nabby Powers was one of those aillictod and alllictive women who, while exhibiting wonderful activity when carrying out her own plans, yet "never see a well day," but who are jast able to be "up and around." There wei'e no fair and happy days for her. They were all sombre with the touch of evil past, present or to come. Pessimistic to the last degree, she saw no brightness or beauty in anything. Her usual aspect was one o detp dejection, and her voioj was lugubnous in the extrema when asked how she feit, her invariable reply was, - "Porely, oorely; jest so's to be up and around." "What asems to be the matter today?" "Oh la me, I don't know. They don't nobody know. I leckon I've got to be a mizzable, sufE'rin, wouian all the days of ïny life." "It's a lovely day, isn't it?" "Oh, purty enough; but it's ROing to storm. I feel it in my bones. La me!" That "La me!" was always uttered in cominal solemnity. It was dra wied mournfully out and ended with a sigh that was almost a tnoan. Aunt Nabby had one of the finest gardens in the county. Nature had gifted it most lavishly. But when asked how her garden was doing she alway said, - "Bnd enough, bad enough; fust too dry and then too wet. I aint. expectin' to get the seeds back I put into it." "Your fruit-trees are hanging full; you will have a splendid harvest : this year." "La me! mebbe so. It's a lonr time til] harvest. I'm daily expectin' half the fruit to drop off. It's a wor!d of disapp'intments. La me! la me!" "Well, Aunt Xabby, I don't think : any one in this neighborhood will have such agrain-harvest as you." "I aint buildin' no liopes on gettin' more'n rny bread-stuff out of all I've ïOt in. I'm callatin' on buyin' feed 'f ore spring. We can't expect anythiny to happen as we think it will in this wortel; la me!" "Well, chunfjing the subject, Aunt . Nabby, how did you enjoy the new minister's sermón last Sabbath? I Every one was so delighted witbitl" "Well, I do'no, I do'no. I'm teered i it's only a case of a newbroom j in clean for the fust time. I don't think he'll wear. I aint expectin' him to; la me!" "Well, didn't you enjoy the festival j in the village the other night? ' body seemed so happy." "I wa'n't happy, not I. Happinoss aint fur me with all my trials and afflictions. The best of ev'rything was eat up 'fore we got to the table. There was a draugnt on my back the huil time. The cofïee was cold, and I lost my handkerchief. I do'no as I ever [ put in a more mizzable evenin'. But then I was as happy as I rckoned I'd be. "I'm sorry you did not enjoy yourself." "La me! you needen' t be. Enjoyrnent here below aint for me. I'm one o' tiiem that's of few days and full of trouble, as the Good Booksaye. It'a ! a world of tribbylation for the best of i us, anyhow. Lame! lame!" . -