Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-10-08


Several times during the evening, the
young husband was tempted to refer to the
conversation held with his mother in ex-
| pianatlon OF his own conduct but hewise-
| iy kept hrs own counsel OF all things he
| dreaded an estrangement between his wife
and mother.
On the next morning, Edward noticed
that the young wife left her chamber ear
lier than usual and went down stairs. Not,
| however, to fill their home with music, as
she had often done. Her matinee was the
| singing tea kettle, not the stringed piano.
She had a heightened color, when she took
her place at the breakfast table, and poured
for her husband the fragrant coffee, made
with her own hands, because she had dis
covered that her Indifferent cook was igno-
rant OF her art. How did she know the
art! 1t was almost accidental the recol-
lection of some good housewives talk had
served her in the right time The warm
praise that Edward bestowed on the coffee
was ample reward
Ida had bought cook book during the
day. That sounds unromantic. But it
was even so and she studied it for hours.
During the afternoon her nother-in-law
came in; and Ida urged her to stay for tea.
The old lady accepted the invitation;
not, we are sorry to say, in the very best
spirit. She had opened the war on Ed
wards butterfly wife, and she meant to
| follow 1t up. When Edward came home
and found that his mother was there his
spirits fell He saw by the corners of her
mouth, that she had not forgotten their
interview of the preceding day and that
her state of mind was not a whit more
charitable Ida's face was little shadow
ed; but she was cheerful, and very atten-
tive to his mother-and, happily ignorant
of his true feelings She came and went
from the breakfast room to the parlor, fire.
quently, evidently with household cares
upon her mind g
Tea was at length announced. Edwards
heart trembled. His mother arose, and
with cold air, accompanied her children
to the room where the evening meal await
ed them. The table had an attractive look,
new to the eyes of both Edward and his
mother. 1t was plain that another hand
besides the servants had been there. Ida
poured the tea, and Edward served the hot
biscuit and cream toast. The eve of the
latter was fixed on his mother, as she lifted,
with an air which he understood to say,
Poor stuff the cup of tea to her lips.
She tasted the fragrant beverage-set the
cup down-lifted and tasted again. The
infusion was faultless. Yes even to her
critical taste. Next the biscuit, and next
the toast were tried. Mrs. Gocdfellow her.
self could not have surpassed them
Have you changed your cook " The
old lady looked across the table at Ida.
No, mother, answered the wife, smiling
'Only the cook has found mistress
Is this all your work, Ida?' The old
lady spoke in half incredulous tone.
Yes, it is all my work. Don't you
think, if | try hard, I'll make a house
keeper"
This was so unexpected that the hus-
bands mother was delighted Ida bad gone
right home to her matter-offact heart
Why yes, you precious little darlingY
she answered, with an enthusiasm almost
foreign to her character, / couldn't have
done better myself
The shadow passed from the heart of
Ida, as her eyes rested on the pleased coun-
tenance of her husband. 1t was the first
shadow that had fallen since their happy
wedding day, and moved on quickly; but
its memory was left behind. 1t was like
the drawing of veil, which partly con-
ceals, yet beauties countenancc, reveal
ing the enchanted expression.
Ida's husband was man like the rest,
with mans common wants and weaknesses;
and her married world one in which hands
must take hold of common duties But
she soon learned that, in the real world,
were real delights, substantial and ahid-
ing.
Bravely did she walk in the new path
that lay at her feet She had her reward.
Tea and toast but expressed her household
duties, none of which were rightly per-
formed during that delicious honeymoon
But, she failed in nothing afterward and
soon learned that the ground in which
true happiness takes deepest root, and from
which it springs up with strongest branch
es, is the ground of common homely duties.