Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-12-18
B. R. COWEN EDITOR & PROPRIETOR.

smile of satisfaction, Il think that will Sc,
matters right. Madam will find that | am
not so easily thwarted. No; Marmaduke
Mellen Is not one to be frightened by wo-
mans vaporing, or inclined to submit tamely
to petticoat government. Iwould give some
thing he thought, chuCkling inwardly, 'tc
see how she will take it when Bridget re-
fuses to obey her, by my direction. She
will begin to find out who she has to deal
with then. She doesn't know Marmaduke
Me lien YETI %
The next day, Mrs. Mellen. at the usual
time, directed Bridgetto serve up dinner.
4 can't ma'am,' said the perplexed hand
maiden.
'Can'tr repeated Mrs. Mellen, with some
surprise. What do you mean, Bridgetr
'It's nv directions of MASTER she replied.
Then he has forbidden you TO follow nv
direct:onsr
Yes, ma'am He told me he should not
be home until four, and he would send me
away if took up dinner before that time.
'Indeedn said Mrs. Mellen, coolly; he
is interfering beyond his province. How
ever, you are to obey me. not him. You
must take up the dinner now
He will send me away if / do said
Bridget.
And will send you away if you DON'T
said her mistress.
Och, what will dor exclaimed Bridget,
in ludicrous dismay. 'It's turned away I've
got to be anyhow, whether dc it or not
Better obey me, Bridget. If he should
turn you away, you shall be back again in
less than a week, and, meanwhile, will
pay you wages; but if turn you away, it
will be for good
1t did not take long for Bridget to see on
which side her bread was buttered. Re-
lieved from her embarrassment, she hustled
about, and. at the hour appointed, dinner
was on the table.
At four O'Clock, when Mr.. Mellen return
ed, nothing was to be seen of the JinneE-
table. This he hailed as good omen.-
Looking triumphantly ut his vile
You may order up Dime: LOW, Mrs. Mel
len.'
DluHct. CAIIdliiCu hlo "l'Cs WIN oS Uii
of surprise. is it possible that you have
not eaten dinner. at four o'cl0ckr
Have you eaten dinnerP enquired Mr..
Mellen, in an appalling voice.
Certain y said his wife, coclly continu-
ing the work upon which she was engaged.
The table was cleared two hours since
May enquire if Bridget sserved up the
diunerr asked Mr.. Mellen, with an ominous
look
'Of course you may,' said Mrs. Mellen.
what objection can havel'
Madam said Mr. Mellen, in voice of
thunder, enough of this trifiing. Did Bid
get serve up dinnerr
Really said the mother-in-law, you
should not But here her daughter
interrupted her.
Good gracious, Mr.. Mellen,' she added.
you don't suppose | am deaf, do you!
could hear you very distinctly if you spoke
considerably lower. But what was your
questiuup
Did or did not Bridget serve up dinner!
TO be sure she did. You don't suppose |
did it!
AT two o'clockp
'Certairy.'
Without more ado, Mr.. Mellen rang the
bell violently.
Bridget speedily made her appearance.
Bridget said Mr.. Mellen, looking dag
gers at his handmaiden, 'do you recollect my
telling you yesterday tina, should not be at
home to day until foure
sYes, sir
And that dinner was not to be served up
until that time!'
yes, sir
Then why inquired Mr.. Mellen, with
an explosion of anger, 'dio you dare dis
obeyp
Because said BriGget-who, fully con.
6ding in the promise of her mistress, was
quite undaunted-'the misthress tould me to.
Then you are to learn that am the
master, and that my commands must be
obeyed dismiss you from my service
Yes, SIR said Bridget, courtesying.'
This instant. Do you heart
yes, sir. My clothes are all packed re-
turned Bridget. with second courtesy.
Mr.. Mellen was little bewildered by the
composed demeanor of Bridget. He hat
anticipated that she would burst into tears
and, promising amendment, beg 10 be taker
back. This he was fully resolved not tC
grant, but, with Roman firmness, to carry
ont his sentence to the letter. Of this sa
tisfaction, Bridget's GOODNESS, and eviden
preparation 10 meet the consequences o.
her disubeaience, deprived him. However
he had the consolation of knowing that, ol
this point at least, he had asserted his au
thorty.
He glanced at Mrs. Mellen. She wa
working steadily, without any trace OF emo
ton, seemingly quite unconscious OF wha
was going on.
Good bye, ma am said Bridget.
sOh, goodbye, Bridget she replied, look
ing up, with an air Of uncoRcern. $50 20
are going are you?
Yes, ma am
perhaps you would like recommends
tion!
i shall give none,' said Mr.. Me'len, ha:
THY.
Because, if you would said Mrs. MelleI
paying NO regar to what her husband ha
Just sail, Il will give you one very cheer
fully
No, ma'am,' said Bridget, dropping
courtesy, Il don't think l shall live out aga
lust vet. | shall take little vacation
VERY we'll, Bridget; you must call aga
soon
This was said with an intonation whit
, Bridget understood. A moment aterwart
and she left the room, much to the relief
Mr.. Mellen, who had been tuning, inward
;, during the few words which had passed b
= tween his wife and Bridget.
u He now sat down, Triumph intly, and lea
ed back, exulting in the consciousness tn
n he had maintained his dignity and assert
5 his authority as head of the household.
Mrs. Mellen had only exhibited little mt
e ti6cation, he would have felt still better S
}, tiE6ed.
= There was no trace Of anger or mortfic