Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-03-03

now."
"Amy is busy, TOO, and says she CAM
leave the baby"
Upon this the child began to cry. The
easiest way for Mrs. James to settle the diff:
fculty, and indeed the only way was to &C
and hunt up the missing articles. Then a
parly must be held with Frank to induce
him to wait for his sister, and the little girls
tears must be dried, and little hearts must
be set right before the children were SEM
out to play, and little lecture given, too
on the necessity of putting things where
they belonged. Time slipped away, and
Mrs. James returned to her study; hel
watch told her that one hour was gone
She quietly resumed her task, and was get
ting veil under way again, when heavier
step was heard, and her door was once more
tried. Now Mr.. James must be admitted
"Mary," said he, edo come and put on
string for me. There is not bosom in my
drawer in order. / am in hurry. ought
to have been down town an hour ago."
Mrs James went for her work basket and
followed him. The tape was sowed on, then
button needed fasting, then rip in his
glove must be mended.
Mrs. James took his glove and stitched
away at it with smile lurking in the corn
er of her mouth.
"What are youlaughing at?' inquired hei
husband.
To think how famously your plan works,
replied she.
i declare,' exclaimed he, "was this your
study hour, am sorry, but what can
man do? he cannot 60 down town without
a shirt BOSOM"
Certainly not" replied his wife quiet
ly. j.,
When her liege lord was fairly equipped
Mrs. James returned to her room again
About half an hour remained to her, ,of which
she was determined to make the most. Once
more was her place found, and her pen dip
ped in the ink, when there was another dis.
turbance in the entry. Amy had returned
with the baby from his walk. She took him
into the nursery to get him asleep. Now
the only room in the house where Mrs
James could have fire to herself was the
room adjoining the nursery. The ordinary
noise of the children did not disturb her
but the very extraordinary one which Mas
ter Charley felt called upon to make, when
he was fairly upon his back IN the cradle
was rather more than could be borne by
most mothers without seriously disturbing
the train of their thoughts. Mrs. James
closed her book until the storm should be
overpast. Soon after quiet was restored, the
children came in from sliding, crying with
cold fingers. Just as the dinner bell rung
Mrs James closed her book in despair.
"How did you succeed with your studies
this morning." inquired MIR. James 81
am sure l did not hinder you long"
"No; yours was only one of a dozen
Interruptions
"Oh, we'll you must not get discourag'
ed. You cannot expect to succeed the first
time. Persist in it until the family learn
that if they want any thing of you, they
must come at some other time.
The second day of trial happened to be a
stormy one and as the morning was very
dark, Bridget oversight herself, and break
fast was an hour late. This last hour Mrs
James could not recover. Eleven o'clock
came and her morning work was but halt
done. With mind disturbed and depress.
ed, she left things in the suds as they were
and retired punctualiy to her study. She
found, however, that it was impossible tc
fix her attention upon anything which re-
quired thought. Neglected duties haunted
her as ghosts do the guilty conscience
Finding she was really doing nothing with
her books, and wishing not to lose the morn.
ing wholly, she commenced letter. Bridg.
ct came to her door before she had written
half page.
"What shall We have for dinner. ma am
There amt no marketing come. and you die
not tell me what to get"
"Have some steaks"
"We amt got any,
well, l will send for some.'
Now there was no one to send but Amy
and Mrs. James knew it. With sigh she
put away erletter and went into the nurs.
cry.
"Amy, Mr.. James has forgotten the mar.
keting. l wish you would run over to the
provision store and order some beef steaks
| will stay with the baby"
Amy was none too we'll pleased TO be
sent on this errand. She remarked "tha
she must first change her dress"
'Be as quick as possible, then," said Mrs
James, "ior l am particularly engaged thi:
morning"
Amy neither obeyed nor disobeyed, bu
managed to take her own time In reality
though without any direct determination te
do 20. Mrs. James thinking she might ge
along sentence or two in the nursery
took the German book In; but to this ar
rangemment Charley would by no mean.
consent. Mamma must show him the kit
tens in the book, whether there Oh not, i
was all one to hlm-but amused he mus
be. Half her second days time of tria
was gone, when Amy came in; and will
sigh Mrs. James returned to her room.-
Before one o'clock she had been called dowr
into the kitchen twice on some important
business relating 10 the dinner, and for tins
day, not one entire page of letter had been
written.
On the third morning she rose early made
every provision for dinner and for the com.
fort of the family, which she deemed ne.
cessary, and elated by success in good spirits
and with good courage she entered her study
precisely at II o'clock. Now she was to
have fine time of it. Her books were
opened and hard lesson summoned to the
conflict. Scarcely had she read line when
she heard the door bell ring.
Somebody wishes to see you in the par
lor, Mrs. James,"
"Teh them am engaged, Bridget"
81 told them you were to home, maam,
and they gave me their names, but | did not
exactly understand.
Mrs. James was obliged to 60. To smile