The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-03


The sultry summer day was past, and the cool
ar OF evening was murmuring among the green
leaves and bending the slender stalks of the flow
ers, as il swept onward to fan the heated brow Of
the husbandman, who had toiled throughout the
long day beneath the glowing sky
But to none among the band of homeward- bound
laborers did the evening breeze seem more refresh
ing than to three whose basket OF TOOLS borne over
their shoulders, denoted them carpenters They
had, in truth, passed the whole of the day on the
top OF lofty house, preparing it for slates and had
suffered not little from the intense heat: and now
with wearied frames, they were pursuing their way
home AT the entrance of the village where they
ilved bfapes Gale and Burt separated each to seek
his own dwelling
There was not neater or cleaner abode in the
Vlage thah that awaiting the reception Of Draper
Not speck, Of dust dirnined the brillance Of
the windows, around which hutterod eu.,.i..- -
white snow; every article OF furniture was pol
ished till it shone like mirror; fresh flowers
breathed forth their fragrance from the chimney
piece, spotless cloth covered the little supper ta
BILE, and Mrs. Draper and her children were as
neat as it possible to be.
Far different the scene which awaited Gale; his
house in disorder, his children untidy, and his
wife absent The last named evil, however, was
soon remedied, for one OF the children, dispatched
in quest OF the mother, returned with her.
You here already, Tom !" she exclaimed, rush
ing in breathlessly, in gown that had certainly
seen quite week hard service since it had last
been taken into wear. Ct had no thought it was so
late. But supper will be ready Light the
fire, there's good fellow, while | cut rasher
and wash the lettuce, and we'll soon have SUPPER
:" am so tired, Mary, that | would rather do
without supper than light the fire." said Gale
throwing himself on seat
care you? Well, then, don't; I'll soon get it
ready myself" said the wife, beginning to hustle
about; in the course of which she broke more than
one article of crockery put for the time in some
-gutable place.
Where were you, Mary ?" inquired Gale after
apause.
81 had just stepped out to see how Mrs Blain's s
baby was poor little dear"
"Mother has been gone ever since tea," said the
eldest child, boy of some six years old.
You abomlnable little story teller, how can YOU
say so II was gone no time at all !" exclaimed the
mother, irrtated into boxing the speakers ears for
his interference.
The child ran away crying, and Mrs Gale went
on preparing her husbands supper ; more indus
trously than rapidly since she had to clean most
OF the articles she required ere she could use
them. Then, by that time, the children became
cross and peevsh, because they were sleepy and
when the supper was at length ready she had to
go up stairs to put them to bed, then returning,
she swallowed her own meal hastily, and, putting
aside the dirty plates declared she mus. now 90
and wash.
Wash" exclaimed her husband in astonish-
ment. thought you were to have washed the
day before yesterday.
"Well, so meant; but was interrupted" she
replied Mrs. Blain came in that day, and Mrs.
Strong yesterday, and to- day had not time And
now must wash, TOR neither the children nor you
have clean thing to put on; and, for that matter
neither have l."
so it would appear" said Gale, glancing at the
dark tint of her naturally light gown.
' So It would appear, indeed" she cried, an
griy. " suppose you expect to see me as clean
and neat, and every thing as well done as if were
a lady, and kept couple of servants %
No, Mary" said her husband, grayely, 81 form
no such e1travagant expectations /; oil ask is,
that the hours am working hard to earn our daily
bread might be spent by you in some occupation
more profitable than gossiping, and so let me find
quiet and orderly house on my return, and a com
panion such you used to be in the earlier days of
welded life.''
But the af1actonate tone of the last words exer-
cised no softenng influence the aroused spirit of
the indignant wife, and quarrel ensued, which
ended, as ii had often done before, in Gale taking
his hat, and finding al the public house the comfort
he could not find in his own.
Meanwhile, Draper passed through his trim little
front garden, entered his pretty cottage home, and
setting down his basket, seated himself wearly by
the window.
shoes when you came in!'' was his wife's saluta-
ton as she entered the ROOM
swell my dear, and if did not there could be
no mud on them this weather." he replied.
No, but Ill be bound there was plenty of dus
on them," she retorted, Grossly, "and you know
how l hate dust. And here-I declare if here is
not your dirty basket set down on the clean wax
cloth"
81 was very tired Susan, or | would not have
done it" said her husband, apologetically.
And do you think am never tired" she de-
mandej, working about all day as | do, and theT
sitting down TO make and mend for The children p
for take pride in seeing my children neat ant
clean"
You are indeed, most industrious wife, Su.
san" said her husband in all sincerity, yet he
Sghed for his home, though it was pleasant to ooI
as' was very uncomfortable