The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-07
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY, MAY Z, 1856.

stopped to quench her thirst from the brook
she had made. Next she proceeded to inves-
tigate an escritoire upon a small table in the
corner of the sitting room. The large black
marks the ink made on the paper pleased her
very much; but continuing this occupation, the
ink bottle was soon upside down on the carpet,
the liquid spreading rapidly. Though Elias
education was limited, she had learned to dis
crminate somewhat between right and wrong;
her last act she concluded must be of the latter
class, and, to make amends, she endeavored to
scrape up the ink with her hands. At this mo-
ment fly lit on her nose, and with one of her
hands she routed him. After this it would
have been difficult to determine to which Of the
ton was the kitchen closet, where a pitcher of
milk was partly drank and the remainderpour
ed into pan of flour; Ella began to knead its
contents; but she preferred more room, SO she
dragged the pan into the centre of the parlor,
the door of that apartment being ajar.
A few moments after, Mr.. Easy entered with
his sons, determined to shut them up for the
rest of the afternoon. But what was his horror
to find the kitchen afoat, the sitting room car
pet stained beyond all probability of restora-
ton, and the parlor strewn with flour and liter
ally covered with paste. His first idea was of
a voyage to Australia, and of leaving each one
to his fate; but then came the thought of his
poor wife. 'IfIhave such a hard time in taking
care Of the children for a few hours said he,
what must be poor Susan's trials, staying here
all the time and not only taking care of them,
but attending to all her other duties. I Ialways
thought women had very easy time, butI give
up that idea now, and only wonder that SO few
are in the insane asylums. From this time
forth am Easy no longer, but will be indus
trious and frugal-and if at home the domestic
whirlwind blow Olympus high, shall not at
tribute it to her-but remembering this day,
seek for the true cause v
After musing and resolving what to do. he
but it seemed to him to look worse when he
had done than when he begun, for as he had
not thought to wash the children's hands and
remove their soiled clothes, they had been 60
ing about leaving their marks. Neither did his
brains suggest to him that if he let the paste
dry on the parlor carpet, it could be removed
without injury; but he undertook to wash up the
floor in the same manner as he had done the
water and ink from the other rooms, and with
the same cloth too. AS he thought hot water
would be best, he went to some trouble to OBJ
tain it, and after carrying into execution his
threat of shutting up the boys, he went on with
his work. We leave the reader to Judge how
much the beauty of the carpet had increased an
hour afterwards, when with tired muscles and
aching heart he arose from his humble position.
But we will not follow Mr.. Easy too minutely
through all his trouble on that eventfal after
noon. While Jimmy and Benny were prison
ers in the bed room, they amused themselves
by playing ball around the room, and circus
on the white counterpane. In short time the
wash bowl and pitcher were in fragments, the
looking glass cracked, and the counterpane
dangling on the floor. v ...-.
Mr. Easy, in his anxiety to keep the young
est one quiet, gave her whatever she desired.
As he found she was Mrs. Easy in miniature
when thwarted, he gave her bread and butter
to spread for herself, silver spoons to drum with,
scissors to cut a newspaper; and when his back
was turned, she cut her curls and strewed them
about the floor. -..5 -..- J
Then she called for the sugar bowl which he
considered perfectly harmless, but the room
was soon thronged with flies. By this time,
Jimmy and Benny, after promising good be-
havior, had gained their liberty, and wished
for a drink of molasses and water. This re-
quest was granted and they were permitted to
mix it for themselves; their father having taken
his seat in despair, and made up his mind to
await patiently the result of all this chaos, when
his better managing half should return But a
scream from the kitchen brought him to his feet
again, to behold Ella dripping with molasses, a
large vessel of which Benny had upset.
Ella, with blinded eyes, grasped the first OBJ
ject that came in her way, which happened to
be her father, with his Sunday pants on. Alas!
poor Mr.. Easy! on finishing his cleaning opera
tions, he found his pants as bedaubed with flour,
paste and ink, it would have been hard to tell
if he were baker or a printer; so AS his best
ones were nearest at hand he doffed his foured
garb, and now what a misfortune. Mr.. Easy
was mad! stark mad! and at that moment he
caught glimpse of the rod ofcorrection which
lay on the Shelf and which he had often thought
it was all nonsence to use; but he was now of a
very different mind, and he piled it dexterously
until it became too short; and ended the tragic
farce by putting them all to bed supperless.-
AS he had not much appetite himself, it did not
occur to him that they might not be similarly
inclined.
After the children had cried themselves to
sleep, and the house was once more quiet, Mr..
Easy pondered in his mind whether it would be
best for him to see his wife, or his wife to see
the house first, and he came to the conclusion
that the former would be the better mode of
He knew she intended to stay in
The evening, SO as it began to grew dark, he
,rept softly down stairs, went to clothing store
near by, he purchased new pair of pants, and
a few other articles to match them; then, going
10 his room, he made an entire change of ap-
parel, I will lounge about no longer in a
;hreadbare coat he mentally exclaimed, as he
himself in the glass, and saw the
change in his appearance, but l will throw off
'hese idle habits have indulged in, and be
man among men; nor will I burden my wife
with so many cares, until from necessity she is
to neglect the culture and habits of
our children ~ .....--....r.
With thoughts like these, he again went into
he street, and stopping at the next door rang
he bell, which summons was answered by a
young girl. -.. .rse1- z... ..,,.a hzar e..s. T..
Nancy ba Said tmv wife has pone ont and