Eastern times., 1853-04-21
THE STORY TELLER.
THE SECRET.
Or Family Discipline.
BY MRS. c. NJ. EDWARDS.
80. r1-r@nr
CHAPTER /.

message that breakfast was waiting. 10 each
summons he had returned an answer in ac-
cordance with the spirit of ill-nature that sat
on his features in the first place telling them
he would come when he got ready, and at the
next summons bidding them 60 to the
The children did not hear the last word, and
their judicious mother chose TO interpret it into
a wish that they should go to breakfast
without him, and accordingly acted upon that
suggestion. Meantime poor Jacob was work
ing himself into violent passion on the integ-
rity Of his moral rectitude. Talk TO Il he
said, 'of their moral suasion and all that pala-
yer, don't believe in il if folks won't do
right they should be made to- THIS letting of
every poor wretch that complains about power
~ and sickness, won't pay the taxes, and then
how am / to get my dues. Heigh, no, what
ails this deuced needle, but it has got to GO,
and so with an extra jerk, such as legal sua-
sionists are apt to use, the needle was broken
and It's gIittering fragments flew across the
room. Was there no moral in thist
The morning was cold and frosty, and Jacob
had long ride before him that day, and SO he
Tummaged in his old chest for the yarn mittens
he had deposited there the spring before
They came up, worm and moth eaten, and
then he started off in train of thought that he
had often pursued the past year. Il ought to
have some one TO take care of these things
1t is not good for man to be alone. l have a
good mind to marry Cora
But then she is SO young, whispered an
other voice.
The easier trained to my wishes replied
Jacob.
She has been petted and spoiled, said the
other.
That will make her the more dread my
power said Jacob.
'And then she is so inexperienced
But she is beautiful and with this crown
ing argument Jacob left his room with SO much
of g low on his salOw cheek that with bashful
consciousness he stopped at the foot of the
stairs TO let it fade before he entered the break
fast room.
Jacob Simmons was-a bachelor, living on
the homestead Of his father BY dint Of indus
trious habits, good management and hard
heart, he had come TO be the wealthest farmer
in the town in which he lived. Not only was
his own farm the largest, the richest and best
managed, but there was scarcely one poor little
one around him on which he did not hold some
legal claim, SO that Mr.. Simmons was quite
terror in his neighborhood. The children
would hu5dle together as he walked past with
his long cane, and woe to the little urchin who
dared to cling to his wagon when the gentle
man rode. A sharp cut from his whip lash al
ways brought home the painful conviction, that
the way Of transgressOrs is hard With his
tenants at his farmhouse, Jacob had the great
est trouble, sometimes changing two or three
times year, for few could bear the peculiari-
ties of his temper. But for the last two years,
Mistress Racket and her seven children had
rcigned there without rival. For once ia
cob was fairly matched. Not exactly matched
either, for the queen of his house had an easy
good natured husband, who, when he had Sc
cured her, felt that the great business of his
life was accomplished. 1t was thus that the
important duty of providing for the wants OF
their numerous progeny was left almost to
her direction. In truth, Mr.. Racket had
been rolling stone. And at last had rolled in
as tenant to the worthy Simmons. The testy
bachelor commenced operations the first week
after their arrival peeping, ordering and d.
resting in every department of the house, but
the quiet, independent manner in which she
had opened her large dark eyes, and assured
him she was master of her business and could
have no dictatiOn, had quite non-plussed him,
and he was glad to retreat to his own quarters.
There was he allowed to foster his bachelor
habits and to accumulate dust and cobwebs Oh
his inner as well as his outer man. Those
were places which Mistress Racket never in
vaded, though the rest Of the house was kept
bright and polished as her own rosy face, OF
those of the seven little Rackets. Obscured as
was Jacobs mental vision on many points, he
eonld not fail to see under her wise and whole
come regulations, his diary, poultry-yard and
other departments under her supervision were
yielding thrice their usual profits. 1t was for
this that the poor man was obliged TO be civil,
and to feel that there was one, weaker yes
sell too, who yielded him nothing in consid-
eratlon of his wealth. But in the sanctuary Of
his own chamber, Jacob would shak0his head
and mediate revenge on the future Mrs. Sim
mons, and then would come the image of the
lovely Cora
But who was Cora, The sweetest girl in
the village, every one would have told you.-
Cora was the youngest of five daughters, who
had been brought up in pretty vine-covered
cottage; how, no one knew, for their father
was poor mechanic in i'll health and with but
one pair Of hands to provide for them. But
whatever other comforts they might have
lacked, they never lacked the warm sunlight
Of affectiCnate hearts and from that abode Of
poverty came forth good and loving maidens to
bless other households. Each of Cora's sisters
had become happy wives and proud young
mothers, when Simmons cast his eve on the
little petted Cora, as on to half blown rose.
and thought to gather her home 10 mature on
his rough bosom.
We cannot say why il was that the capri.
cious child ever favored his suit. Perhaps il
was nartlv from vanitv for Cora could remain