The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-05-31
THE CONQUEST.
BY FANNY FERN.

! had known rs much as you and do OF her
husbands mother, she never would have come
to live with her. She is regular old Hyena,
and if she don't bring tears into those blue
eyes before the honeymoon is over, my name
isn't Bridget. Why she's the most audacous
old thng--she overhanld all her wardrobe
yesterday. before she could get here. and az l
passed through tho entry heard her muttcr-
ing to herself; silk stockings! humph--ruffled
underclothes! wonder if she thinks I'll have
'em ironod here embroidered night cap silk
dresses! destruction and ruin!
I'll tell you what. Bridget no house has
been built yet, that was big enough for two
families to live, and you'll find out that this
wont be- reckon.
What! tears, Emma! said the young hus-
band. as he returned from his ccunting-room
] one day, about month after their marriage,
and with look of anxiety, he drew her closer
| To his breast.
Tell me you do not so soon regret your
choice? The little rosy mouth was held temp
tipgly up for a kiss, aud in those blue eyes he
read the answer his heart was seekipg.
What then? is your pet canary sick? can't
you dress your hair to snit you? or are you in
dispair because you can't decide In which Of
all your dresses you look the prettiest?
Don't be ridiculous, Harry, said Emma,
laughing and crying together; feel nervous,
that's ALL I'm so glad you have come home.
| Harry felt quite sure that was'no all: but he
forebore to question her farther for he felt very
sure she would tell him all that happened in
time TO come.
The truth was, Harrv's mother had been
lecturng her daughter-in law all the morning
upon the degeneracy of tho times: hupod she
wouldn't think of putting on the fine things
her friends had been so foolish as to rig her out
in--imes were not now as they used to be:
that if Harry gave her pocket-moncy shc had
better give it to her to keep, and not TO be
spending it for nonsense: that young wfe's
place was in her husbands house, and not to be
spending money, and she hoped sho would
leave off that babyish trick of running homo
every day or two to sec her ma and sister.
Emma listened with silent amazemcnt.-
She was n warm-heartod alfcctionate girl, but
she was high-spiriied. The color camo and
went rapidly in her checks, but she forced
back her tears which were starting in her eyes,
for she had too much pride to allow her to see
them fall.
After old Mrs. Hall retired, she sat for n
moment or two recalling her words--Babyish
to love my own dear home, where | was as
merry rs cricket from morning ,ill night:
where We sang snd played and read in moth
ers dear old room. and father and mother the
happicst of Us all--babyish: l wont DO dcta-
ted to. said the young wife. I'm married if |
!,
the rcbcllious tones would como in spite of her
determinations but then sho thought of Harry,
dear Harry. whom sac had learned to love so
, well Her first impulse was TO tell him, but
, she had great deal of good sense, if she was
young, and she said. no, that wont do; then
he'll have to sides with ono or the other, and
either way will make tronble. 1t may wean
his love from me, too: no. no: I'll try to get a.
long without but wish had known more a.
bout her before came 10 live here.
And she smiled and chatted gaiy with Har-
, ry, and hoped no had sat it down to tho ac-
count of her nervousness. Still tho hours
passed heavily when he was absent at his busi-
ness; and she felt uneasy every time she heard
footsteps on tho stairs, lest the old lady should
subject her 10 some new trial.
I wonder what has como Emma :
said one OF her sisters, she has grown so mat
ronly; I half hated Harry when he carried her
| off. and quite hate him now. for she is quite
sedate and moping. desire TO keep my
: head out of tho matrimonial moose.
Shortly after this, Emma's mother sent her
| some little delicacy. manufactured bv herself.
, of which she knew her daughter would be par
, ticularlv fond. Mrs. Hall Brought it in aud
{ set II down on The table, as if sho was testing
, the strength of the dish. and said. I wonder if
, your mother is afraid You'll not have onougl,
to eat here: one would think you was child
!. at boarding school.
Emma controlled hcrselfby a strong effort,
and made her no reply. simply taking the gift
from her hands. with nod of acknowlcdg-
ment. Every day brought her some petty an
$ noyancc. and her father in law who was old
0 and childish. being quite as troublesome a his
. wifo in these respects it required all Emma s
love for Harry tn carry her through.
She still adhered to her determination. how
r ever, TO conceal her trouble from her husband,
@ and though he noticed she was less vvacious.
r perhaps through tho mantle of matrimonial
: dignity, so becoming to his young wife. he felt
20 disposition IN find fault with il. In tho
L meantime. old Mrs. Hall being confined 10 her
I room with violent influenza, tho reins of gov
crnment were very unwilliugly resigned into
o Emma's hands, the endless charges she receiv-
| cd about tho dustng. sweeping and cooking,
!, ended always with this soliloquy, as the door
0 closed upon Emma's retreaiing form. Tm a
a goose to tell her anything about it. sho is as
ignorant as a Hottentot, IL will all go in one
a ear and out Of the other. and the old lady
r groaned in spirit as the vision ofthe nose oft the
h. tea kettle pointed the wrong wav, or the sauce
: pan hung on the wrong nail, frted through
8 her mind. Emma exerted herself to tho ut
!. most TO please her, but tho Cruel was always
o mot quite right tho pillows not arraigned
easily behind her back. or she expected to find
: sBedlam let loose when she got down stairs,
: and varions other encouraging prognostica-
v tions Of the same character.
s Emma, said Harry. how should you like
v living five miles out of the ctyl have seen
: a place that just suits my fancy, and think
r Of hiring II on trial.
= Emma hesiiated she wished to ask does
|. your mother 90 with usF but she only said |
s could not tell, dear Harry. how ] should like
Q the place not until l could 500 it; but fear il
: would take yon too much from me: it would
h seem so odd to have five miles distance between
I should not like IL. Harry. and tho charges oi
y hor mother in-aw clouded her sunny face
l. and in spi,e Of herself a tear dropped on hel
q husbands hand.
y Well dear Emma, now am very suro yor