Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-06-09


torment that bundle of dignity will-Pl
make her look over the tops Of her spectacles
more sourly than she does"
Alas! there was no one there to whisper
athis bundle of dignity" is your mother-in-law
to whom even in thought you should be respect
full. And Moina was wilful, spoiled child
whose word had always been law; and who
had never been thwarted in anything in all hel
life. The idol Of small village, where hel
intellect, wit, and good-humor had made her
belle, she grew up Gas independent as wood
sawyer" as she expressed it to Julia Clare, hel
"bosom friend"
She was not wealthy, but she had never fell
that she was poor. She dressed well, ane
bought everything she fancied; for her bachelor
brother, a jolly dont-care-sort-offellow, loved
but ono thing in the world truly, and that was
his g. little sister," Brother Hal" had always
petted the orphan child; and used to tell her
often, "Do what you please, little sister; say
what you please; and if anybody hurts your
feelings, Just tell Hal, and he will settle it
with them"
A petted child-a child in feelins-almost
child in years-the daughter-in-law OF the
naughty Mrs. Staten, whom even her most in
mate friends dreaded, fancy the sequel!
Molina come down stairs one afternoon dress
ed in some simple pretty little muslin, made
"infant waist" fashion, with low neck, ano
short sleeves. She wore her hair in natura
ringlets, and had roses in her bosom. Anybody
else but Mrs. Staten, would have kissed the
little May-hower; but that lady looked or
severely as Molina regardless Of dignity, .and
state threw herself on the floor, child-fashion
and took pet kitten in her arms.
"lnrs. &aten," Chow amfully dign!fed that
sounded to the pet,) twill you take chair
ladies do not generally sit on the floor"
Molina laughed, 81 am only child you
know"
"And a very ill-behaved one in my opinion.
Then in an undertone she added, "What could
Clarence have been thinking Of when he mar
ried this creature"
Will you take chair?' she repeated
sternly.
"Not while it pleases me to sit on the floor,
replied Molina carelessly; and she began to
hum "Joe Hardy" in the most unconcerned
manner possible. ,=s.....
Mrs. Staten rose in towering indignation
and swept through the room as majestlcally as
ever did the heroines Of one of our celebrated
novel-writers. She sought the library, where
she found her son writing. "Carence." Yes
mother, in q moment" "What is it now
mother?" and he folded the sheets Of his MSS
together.
"Clarence, that wife of yours is my torment
l left her-where do you think 2"
81 cannot imagine" he said calmly.
"Sttng on the floor, the parlor Goor, do you
hear?" Clarence smiled slightly at the gravity
Of the sentence.
"You need not smile. am sure never
heard Of such a thing. Ella Boyne never sits
on the foor-Ella Boyne does not kiss kittens
Ella Doyne does not wear low necked drcs-
ses."
"What has Ella Boyne to do with my wife 81
aSimply this, you might have married her,
instead of a silly chit, without birth, without
fortune, and may add vittout manners"
And Mrs. Staten swept to her room in state
in the happy consciousness OF having made her
son as unhappy as possible.
at dinner, next day, Mrs. Staten found fresh
offences, and poor Moins was as usual I" in dis
grace"
"Mrs. Staten, ladies do not generally put
their elbows on the table, ut least none OF my
SET do.n
Moina planted her elbow more firmly on the
mahogany.
"Where haze you been raised, Mrs. Staten
I never witnessed such disobedience-neYeI
was so openly insulted at my own table before
and in the presence of my son, who has not the
courage to speak for himself"
Clarence flushed to the temples, and said
quickly, Molina, please remember yourself, and
treat my mother with respect"
He scarcely knew what he was saying; but
AIoina's sensitive heart took the arrow, and i,
remained there.
In her haste to arise, she upset goblet Of
water, and vanished up stairs with very rec
face.
eyes: it has come to this" she said bitterly
as she locked, and re-locked the door. " Ever
Clarence has turned against me-even he up
braids me for nothing" Of course she sought
woman's only relief, tears And when Clarence
came up truly repentant, he found her with
very swollen eyelids, and very cross face. III
started, for never in all their lovers quarrels
had he seen such an expression as met hin
now. She looked ugly--positively ugly; fol
anger is no beautifer, young ladies
"Mona, my love-"
"What do you want 2" said she pettishly
You needn't come with 'my love- now. Gt
back to your lady mother whom you have dis
graced by marrying me-"
"Moina do you know what you are saying !"
He turned as pale as death.
"Yes do"
"Moina am astonished, and grievcd beyont
expression-pot content with insulting my
mother-you"-lIc paused abruptly.
aInsult you suppose, my lord and master
whom in duty bound must obey; and whose
very feet must kiss"