The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1857-01-14

pose lid i,l
AT two o'clock I"
Certainly"
Without more ado, Mr.. Mellen rang the
bell violently.
Bridget speedily made her appearance.
bridget" said Mr.. Mellen, looking
dsggers at his handmaiden, "do ou reco
ect my telling you yesterday that should
no, lie at home to day until four I"
"Yes, sir"
"And that dinner was not to be served
up until that time II
ayes, sir
Then why" inquired Mr. Mellen, With
an explosion Of anger, did you dare dis
obey -
because" SAID Bridgei--who, fully
contding III the promise Of her mistress,
was quite uDdaun,ed-"the MISTRESS
tould me to-"
"Then you are 10 learn that am the
master, and that my commands must be
ohe! ed. ] dismiss you from my service"
"fes, sir" SAID Bridget, courtesying.
This instant Do you hear ."
"fes, sir. Ny clothes are all packed"
returned Bridget, with second courtesy.
| Mr.. Mel!en WAS a little hewildercd by
the composed demeanor Of Bridget. He
had anticipated that she would burst into
tears. and, promising amendment. beg to
Cc taken back. This he was fully resolv-
ed not TO grant, bat, with Roman firmness
TO carry out his sentence to the letter.
OF this satisfaction, Bridget's GOODNESS, and
evidsat preparation to meet tie conse.
9uences of her disobedience, deprived
him. However, be had the consolation
OF knowing that, Oh this pon, at least, he
had asserted his authority.
He glanced at Mrs. MelIsa. She was
working steadily, without any trace OF
emotion, seemingly quite unconscious ol
what was gong on.
Good bye, ma'am," said Bridget.
"Oh, goodbye, Br'dgeL'' she replied
you are going are you
"9es, ma'am."
Perhaps you would like recommen,
daticm I"
I ~ shall give uone," said Mr.. Mellen,
hastily.
Because, ifyou would" said Mrs Mel
len, paying no regard to what her bus
band had just said, Il will give you one
very chcerfully."
No, ma'am," said Bridget, dropping a
courtesy, IL don't think | shall live ou,
again just yet. lshal! take a little vaca.
ton"
Very well, Bridget; you must call
again soon."
This was said with an intonation which
Bridget undeRiood. A moment after.
wards and she left the room, much to the
relief Of Mr.. Mellcn. who had been fumine
inwardly. during the few words which had
passed between his wife and Bridget.
He now sat down, trumphan,ly, and
leaned back. exu,ing in the consciousness
that he had maintained his dignity and
asserted his authority as head Of the
household. II Mrs. Mellen had only ex.
hlbiled little modification, lie would
have felt still better satisfied.
There was ~ trace ofanger or mortiti
cation on her face. At length she broke
the silence by asking, with an air as il
nothing had happened, If there was any
news from abroad!
"NoH said Mr.. Mellen, crustily.
"What course is the emperor expected
10 take T. she inquired, further.
II don't know" said Mr.. Msllen, in a
iorbidding tone.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Melen, who had had
TO dinner, was getting hungry. uowev.
er he consoled himself with the idea tha,
he could compensate by eating a hearty
supper land he ethought, with thrill O.
qualification ,ba, Mrs. Melen, in the ab.
sence Of Bridget, would he obliged to pre-
pare il. He had 10 doubt on this score,
rs he knew that, neither on her own o,
her mothers account, would she be willing
TO forego that meal.
A, length Mrs. Melleu rolled up her
work, and rose.
she is going TO get supper" thought
Mr.. Mellen. II am very glad Of it, for
am quite faint. Still, authority must be
maintained, at however great personal
sacritics."
BY this time, Mrs. Melleu had advanced
to the door. Arrived there, she turned, ne
if she had forgotten something.
"By the way, Mr.. Mellen," she said,
"my mother and myself are going out to
tea. We are invited to Mrs Smiths"
"But what am TO dor inquired Mr..
Mellen, paraIysed by this unexpected
stroke.
81 don't know really" said his wife,
carlessly, /" unless ycu come up with us.
presume Mrs. Smith will be very much
gratfied TO see you. VIII you come r.
Nor said Mr.. Mellen. sharply.
That evening he took tea at an eating
house. He was beginning TO realize that
Mrs Mellen had will AS well as bimself
and even more difficult to cope on &C
count OF her admirable GOODNESS With.
out entering into an account ofthe means
by which il ~as brought about, let me on.
iy add, that, within q week, Bridget was
Se-establisied in her old place. Mr.. Mel.
len has learned . useful lesson n--namely,