Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-07-09

J N''"''N ~HA ~ l. NaiihOt dlt.
At another time the mother might have smiled
on her boy, but she had no heart for smiles then
on that beauteous Sabbath morning when the blue
heavens and snow clad earth we're radiant with
glorious sunshine. Two hours comfort in the
early morn had ruflled her peace and treubled hel
JOY for the day She needed, indeed, to turn ovel
a new leaf a . 4.
/ A worrying time had Mrs Gray that morning
preparing breakfast and when ready, which was
notuntl after nine O'Clock, it was, as the chill
dren said, only half breakfast And the chill
dren, in what sad plight did they come to the
table! Julia longs brads, loosened by the morn
ing's frolic, hung about her face and neck very
much as though high wind had been sporting
with them, while Henry's long ringlets, of which
his mother was so proud, were in 4 snarl that
spoke terribly of future retributon, while Frank
and Mary's short locks completely yelled their
beautiful brows. And their mothers head instead
of its usual neat arrangement, looked in express
sive language very much like an oven broom
And the tab,e-a sight! Julia had set it, and her
mother not having given directions. she had put
on soiled cloth that had done a weekly duty,
and being in hurry and out of humor, had hud-
died the dishes with but little regard to proper
! place. IL was not indeed calculated to restore
! calmness to the sluggards heart, or promote the
cheerfuness Of the snned-against family.
"How's this, wfe!'' said Mr. Grey, as he seated
himself, "no meat this morning! Thought sent
home some steaks yesterday"
Il forgot to bring them from the store-room last
night, or rather thought should have plenty of
time to tbaw them this morning, but haven't,
and so we must get along without them"
'And we haven't got any pancakes either"
said Frank. ''Mothsr, you promised asst Sunday
that we should have some to-day. Are big folks
wicked when they don't do what they said they
will! cause most always the case, she found
scape-goat, and interrupted her questioning child
with the remark that 'children as naughty as hers
did not deserve pancakes"
Your potatoes are not half done, wife, indeed
they are not fit to eat. I'm afraid we shall have
bat poor breakfast And the husbands tone
was rather sulen, for he had been brought up in
the country, and of course accustomed to good
cheer in the morning. and scant breakfast table
always put to fight his good humor. Cant you
give US bit of your Sundays roas2 We can't
make our breakfast unless you do;' and he delber
ately gathered the potatoes which he had distribu
ted to the children, and returned them their dish
This action annoyed his wife seriously, and she
hustled into the pantry with little grace, and re
turned with her spare rib, which was cooked on
Saturday when there was plenty of time, and was
very beautifully done.
All, yes exclaimed her husband, as be brand
ished jOyfuly his carver "this will be done fine
Iy"
And what will become of your dinner mean
while:7 answered his wife.
"Oh, Wen have the steaks; you know there will
be plenty of time to thaw them.'
Husband and children, half starved as they said
by long waiting, relished the roast and nice bread
and butter, but Mrs. Grey could hardly swallow
morsel and instead of entering into the lively pratt
tie of the little ones spoke only to bid them hurry
and eat or they would be too late at Church.
Breakfast despatched and new trouble commen-
ced.
Il can't get YOU all ready, that's out Of the ques-
ton. Julia and Henry can go, and Mary must
wait until afternoon at which the two set up a
Iusty cry which continued till they were shut upin
the bedroom, with the threat of being punished
unless they stopped Immediately. Finding it use
less, and knowing from experience that mother did
sometimes whip on Sundays, because ''she was al
ways cross then" the two children agreed to make
the best of ii, and agreed that they should 90 a
fishing, which meant bend mothers pins into hooks,
and use her weting cords for lines and Chamber on
A. md bav foa IIo of
cologne should have been Knocked off, and box of
toothpowder upset
With the mother and the elder children it was
scoll and cry cry and scod, till bells peaed their
last tone, when with red faces and sullen hearts,
they took their fathers hand and started for church
As for Mrs Gray she said she never expected to
go out again in the forenoon.
NO rest for the wicked said She as she drove
the little ones out of her bedroom, wound up the
cord, picked up the broken bottle and swept up
the rosy powder, and her heart echoed the cry of
her lips, and smote her terribly, and in woman's
phrase "she sat down and had a good cry 1t
wou!d have been better to have gone to work, for
while she wept, her fires went out, and she had
them both to kindle and then to wait till the wa
ter should heat ere the mornings work should be-
GIN Hasten as she did, church was out ere it was
half done, and to finish, as she said, her trouble,
two friends returned with her husband
! Very dear friends they were to be sure, and at
another time glad enough would she have been to
see them, but then-OI she wished them further,
| She was obliged to suspend her labors, and comb
| her hair and change her dress Gle she could give
! the greeting, and then only moment could she
tarry for dinner must be prepared, and, if there
was company, everything must be at perfect order.
| 1t was nice, it was excellent but somehow no one
enjoyed it. The guests saw instiuctively that they
had intruded. Mr.. Grey, knowing the condition
of affairs, felt i'll at ease while his wife-but all
women similarly situated will guess her feelings,
and no one can describe them. There was no time
after the repast to clear the table and dress the
! younger children, so leaving both in the care OF
Julia she sets out for church, not TO worship, for
she was in no frame of mind to do that but to per
form Sabbath day duty. We will pass over the
doing the work on her return the getting tea, and
putting children, (cross not because they in the
least wanted to be- bat because they could not heE
it, into their beds, and see her enter the sitting
room at eight o'clock throw herself on lounge
and hear her exelaim, Il am tired to death'"