The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-07-08

, | Il Hduh yOu lOT yOuT hlHuueSS, Uul IL lS
no avail, my peace is destroyed, or soon W
be, and you too must suffer with me, for Il
blow will fall upon us both"
:. AT this, one round blue eye peeped curiou
Z ly out and glstened, but not with tears; al
as he proceeded, the apron fell, and that ey
n and its mate grew rounder with astonishmei
0 and Indignation.
; ayes, we are to have our happiness ca
aside, our feelings disturbed by young, per
, flirting girl, who has always lived in the coui
! try, and has, without doubt, fiery red hal
coarse hands, and sings like screech ow
she will be mistress here, and you
) He was Indignantly interrupted BY Martha
who felt her dignity and position outraged b
the idea of being ruled by such creature
and she burst out with
"Then, master Edward, this house will no
be able to hold US both; and to think that al
ter all my long years of faithful and hard ser
vice, that should be turned out Of doors b,
a good d-for-nothing little upstart OF a baby.
almost breaks my heart to think Of it," an
she flung herself out of the room.
The door soon opened again, and she ap
peared at the head Of the kitchen forces, VIII,
had been reused to rebellion by her exaggcr
ated presentations in that department, an,
they all advanced, and with set lips and irown
ing brows, gave notice that they should va
cate their several posts on the debut Of the
| new mistress.
Ned sat perfectly still while they delivered
their speeches, with an air of one petrifed
and when they had all departed, he scratched
his head in bewilderment and giving himself
pinch exclaimed
"1s this me, Ned Wilson, or is it somebody
else! 'Pon honor! believe its not me but
some spurious Ned, some imposter, or else |
have got nghtmare!"
He stretched out first one foot, and then the
other, and gazed abstractly at the carefully
darned stockings, the result of the labors Of
the housekeeper, and then rose, and looking
at the image reflected in the glass. he came
at last to the conclusion that it must be him
self, and casting plying glance at said re-
Election, sank into his easy chair, and thus
solloquized--
81 say, Ned Wilson, you are miserable
fellow; sincerely pity you from the bottom
of my heart; you are too good natured, and
the selfish world takes advantage of it and
rides over you rough shod; they mean to kill
you, and will not be contented till they finish
you; your affairs are in decidedly confused
situation, and your we'll regulated establish
ment has gone to the dogs; you must think of
some way to conciiate Martha, for if you do
not, the case is hopeless"
He passed his hand over his forehead and
fell into deep fit of musing, which lasted
half an hour What the result o: his cogita-
tions was, he did not make known, other than
by a-piteous groan, and with subdued, meek
expression on his open face, he rang the bell
very timidly and gently. Martha, after a
time, made her appearance, and with an air
of ill-conccacd triumph, requested to know
what he wished for. Poor Ned in an humble
and half entreating tone, said
"My good woman, you do not really and
seriously think of going!"
Martha, looking like very much abused
person and in voice that expressedthe deep
est atflction, answered.
"For many a long year have I waited on
you, Mr.. Edward, but feel that it is my duty
not to allow myself to be imposed upon, even
by you, and shall go as soon as the new
mistress comes. have served you almost
for nothing, and never complained, and this
is my reward" and the apron was brought
into use again.
"Your wages shall be doubled, if you will
only stay, and persuade the rest of the kitchen
department to do the same-but do not think
OF leaving, on any account"
Martha was extremely shocked at the idea
of having mercenary motives imputed to her
but after many sighs, tears, and protestations,
to stay, and out of pure affection,
though very reluctantly, accepted the offer of
double wages, and left the apartment with
the air Of self-sacrifcing martyr, while the
grateful Ned overwhelmed her with thanks.
When the long dreaded day for the arrival
of his wurd came round he tried to convince
himself that he was the most miserable Of
snortals, and wandered dejectedly from his
store to the house, then back again.
4 81 am the most unfortunate of men, unless
Is poor Tom Stanton, who so foolishly COM
.litted matrmony some time ago, and though
He has repeatedly invited me, never could
bring myself to witness his misery. | will
|ulll uu"l lhclC ioi
oetter, as it will divert my mind from my own
Fitiuble stuation," and muttering "poor
Tom," he started
The first object that greeted his sight, was
his old friend, who was dancing a very rosy
checked baby on the piazza. He groaned,
and casting a commiserating look at his hap
Py face. went up to him; but he was making
SO much noise, he did hear him till he said, in
tones of deep sympathy
al am sincerely sorry for you, wretched
Tom, does she make you do this while she is
reading novelist To think you should have
ever degenerated into nursury maid!"
A hearty laugh was the first answer to this
speech. and holding the baby up to him, he
shouted
Saint he famous fellow, Ned, fit for a
president! BY Jove! Don't you wish you
owned him!"
Ned's face only grew longer, as he said
sits no use trying 10 hide your unhappness
from the eyes of true friend, for ] can see
through this assumed veil of mirth. You will
never be the man you were, Tom, and SO do
not attempt to deny it,"