The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-09

bachelors would be home TO dinner at twelve"
And pushing the empty pail into his hand, she
bade him make haste to the well, and be back
in no time with the water, and 50 she hustled
him out OF the house. And soon the process
OF dinner-cooking was commenced and in ad-
dition to the melting heat of the stove, the va
rious mingled steams Of boiling, stewing, and
frying arose and filed the summer air with
thick, greasy vapor.
Surely cooking stoves were first invented by
the Demon" Resale could not help thinking,
while she resolved, whenever she had to cook,
it should be in an open fire. place, where the
sitting vapors could ascend the chimney.
When dinner was ready, the sound Of the
horn summoned the same company, who en-
tered first an adjoining shed, where they all
washed their faces and hands using the same
tin basin and the same crash towel, and then
coarse, ruddy, healthful, and hungry-they
came in, and gathered around the table A few
minutes after they had sat down, Mark Suther-
land returned from his mornings rambIe, and
took his seat among them.
"How have you prospered in your enter
prise to-day, Marx 2" asked Rosalie, as they
left the table.
81 have got through all wished to do to
my perfect satisfaction, except one thing"
"And that?n
al have not been able to rent q house, or
part of house, either for love or money!
And so, dear Resale, shall have to leave you
again this afternoon, in order to renew my
search And am afraid you find the time hang
very heavily"
"Not at all, assure you, Mark. have
been occupied and interested. Everything is
so different here from what have ever been
accustomed to-"
Eyes, very different, indeed" said Mark
Sutherland, with sigh.
"Now, | didn't mean that" said Rosalie,
smiling; " meant that everything is so new
and strange, that | am entertained and amused
every moment
Entertain and amuse yourself, then, as
well as you can, until | come back in the
evening, then, my love-" whispered Mark,
stealthily pressing her hand to his heart as he
left her
The landlady ratified and clattered the dish
es and hustled about between table, cupboard,
and cooking stove, until she had cleared away
the dinner-service. And then she proceeded
to wash of the stove raising more offensive
vapor than before. Then she swept the floor
again then she got tub of water and mop,
and washed it all over. And then, after wiping
and putting away the tub, and pan, and mop,
and doing numberless other "last Jobs" she
finally cleansed her own face and hands, put
on clean apron, and sat down to nurse her
baby, and talk to Rosalie. But by this time
the afternoon was SO far spent, that the poor
woman had not rested half an hour before it
was time to get up, fire up the cooking. stove
once more, and prepare supper for her family
and her boarders, who would be back, she said,
at six.
Resale was alphabetically fatigued, only
to witness her labors, and she could not refrain
from saying, as she once more took charge of
the fretful, teething child
"lndeed, you have great deal to do | do
not know how you have strength to 60 through
30 much"'
"Ah you will know after bit wait a
little. Lord, child, this is nothing at all wait
till wash-day" said the hostess putting a
great tray of -four on the table, and preparing
to make bread
And once more the process of cooking went
ON, with the same accomplishments of melting
heat sitting vapor, &C. And again the horn
sounded and the company gathered; but this
time Mark Sutherland did not appear during
the whole course of the meal-no nor after it
was over.
The table was cleared away the room once
more put in order, the candles lighted for the
evening, and the men gathered in the parlor,
with their pipes, but still Mark did not come.
The landlady was rocking her baby to sleep,
and entering, at intervals into the converse
ton. AT last she arose, and put her child to
bed, and asked Roealie if she should not like
to be shown to her sleeping room. Resale re-
piled in the affirmative and tho hostess light
ed a candle and conducted her through the
middle passage, and up the stairs, and opened
door to the right of the landing, leading into
a large room, upholstered, and nearly unfnr-
nshed. The room was divided in the middle
by temporary partition of hanging blankets
In the first division there were two double beds,
covered with coarse path.w work quilts. The
hostess passed between these, and, putting
aside the blankets, led her guest to the interior
division, which was smaller, and contained only
one bed, covered like the others
I" You are to sleep here. Is there anything
you WANT" she asked, setting down the candle
on chest that served as toilet table and wash
stand.
eyes; water and towels if you please" re-
piled Rosalie.
"Pll get them for you in minute. When
do you look for him IN 2"
"Mr. Sutherland i-every moment"
"Umph humph! Now, tell me the truth
shan't blame you--its none o my business,
you know, but-ain't you and that young man
u runaway match"
"Why, no, certainly not, said Rosalie, red
dening aud laughing. ave were married in
my uncle's house, and left it with his blessing
and good wishes"
"Thats right; you must excuse my asking,
but you somehow looked so young and delicate
for such a life as you're come TO, that couldn't
help thinking it must O. been loue-naateh"
Rosalie did not say that she hoped it wds a
love match, and the landlady departed on her
Grand
When she entered, bringing tin-basin and
crash towel, she put them down upon the
chest, and said
81 forgot to tell you that there are four
bachelors sleep in the forepart Of the room"
Resale looked up surprised and shocked.
This feature of Western life was quite new to
her, and she was totally unprepared for it,
The hostess saw her expression, and hasten
ed to say-"Oh! they're very nice, steady,
young men they won't make noise and keep
you awake"
But have you no private room unoccupicd
Your house. seems large; ] should think there
were at least four chambers on this floor"
"Lor' bless YOU child, 30 there are; but the
floors amt laid to none O. them except this
one, which is the reason have to put 30 many
in il. Bless you you mustn't mind such things
out here-nobody docs-taint like where you
come from, you know. And now, child, if
there's nothing else ] can do for you, hope
you'll excuse me, for indeed am SO tired am
almos. ready to drap"
Certainly; indeed, am sorry to have given
you so much trouble. Good night
"Good night" said the hostess taking up
her candle, and disappearing through the
opening folds of the blanket
Rosalie did not wish to sleep The not un.
pleasant restlessness, induced by new and
strange position, drove sleep for time from
her eyes She drew the chest to the only win
dow in her part of the room, and sat down,
and opened it. and looked out upon the dark