Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-22
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
Yes, it was pretty little cottage, wit
its white walls end green blinds. its latt;c,
entwined with clinging vines, and shade,
by few ornamental trees. The front wa
enclosed by pretty white fence; and ros
bushes and few choice flowers bordere,
the little path leading to the gate.
The cozl little parlor. too, with lis sim
pie but tasteful furniture, and a few choice
pictures, presented most pleasing ant
homelike appearance. There sat JUL,
, from day to day at her embroidery, Will,
the trusty Jane attended to her household
affairs. But, alas! change came at length
to Julia; for Jane was summoned home
and where could sirl he found to fill her
placel Mr.. Harvard now started off il
search of o le, and Julia was in dreadful
state of anxiety.
At length a violent ring summoned hel
to the door.
"The top o. the mornin' to yer. ma am
an is it yerseif is wantin' girll" asked q
rosy checked daughter of Erin, bowling and
curtesying violently.
"Did Mr. Harvard send youl" asked Julia
with an ill-concealed vexatiOn.
"Shure, it was his own blessid self, and
its me name is iddy McClarkin, ma'am;
and its me that will do yer work WELL" and
Biddv followed Mrs Harvard into the kitch-
en-, where she installed herself forthwith.
Now we will not attempt to describe the
scene that followed. Biddy had previously
attended to chamber work alone; but, as
she was out of work she conc luded to try
the kitchen Did Mrs. Harvard order pud-
dings, custard, or any kind of pastry, they
never bore the least resemblance to what
they were intended for. The meat and veg
etables were entirely ruined in the cooking;
the kitchen and dining room were always in
the utmost confusion, to say nothing of the
cellar and pantry; the Parlor and sleeping
rooms were slightly put in order. Every
thing became disorder, and Julia, tired and
sick of mismanagement, grew peevish and
sullen, greeting her husband to the dirty,
dusty parlor and uninviting table with an
ill-concealed frown.
"Can't you learn Biddy to keep neater
house and cook betterl' asked Mr.. Harvard
pleasantly one evening, as he sat at the lit
tered centre table, and pointed 10 the pret-
ty lamps covered with dirt and grease. The
remark was evidently not intended as re-
proof, but Julia answered sharply
81 think you might have known better
than to get such girl as Biddy-'can't l
learn her!'-I never was brought up to
such drudgery."
s'You know could get no one else" an
swered her husband, still pleasantly; "and.
| always supposed a lady should
know how to superinterd household affairs
herself"
"You might have known l wasn't uc-
quainted with snch work"
at ould have been better if you had!"
was the quick reply.
"Yes, suppose you would like TO make
a mere drudge of me-" answered she sharp
ly.
"This is your opinion"
"Do you insult me, Mr.. Harvard"
"Just as you please to term it,"
at is pity that you hadn't married some
one to your mind"
We do not know how much longer the
angry husband and vile would have talk ed
had Bddy not entered the room. Mr.. Uar-
ward took his hat and left the house, while
Julia threw herself upon the sofa and burst
into tears; poor girl! those were the first un-
kind words that had passed between them.
Long did Julia lay there; nlne-ten-
eleven-twelre-and still no husband; the
agonizing wife pressed her face upon the
window pane and listened for his well
known footsteps, bnt in vain; then she
opened the door and looked out into the
night; then she walked down the narrow
path and leaning over the gate, gazed down
the street. At last a sense of chillness
warned her of her danger of the damp air
and returning to the house, retired to her
room, threw herself upon her couch and
tried in vain TO sleep. Where was he! why
did he not come! The heart of the young
wife was filled with strange and dread emo
tions. At length when the clock on the
kitchen mantle shelf rung out two, and the
well known footsteps was heard in the hall,
Julia's first impulse was 10 meet him kindly
and confess her fault, but when she saw
him safe at h9me, her pride arose, and re-
mark touching the lateness OF the hour wa 3
the only greeting.
Thus commenced All cstrangement be-
tween those two once loving hearts. Julia,
discouraged and vexed, after trying in vain
to find better "girl," settled down into a
sort of desperate calmness--ayc, morose-
ness-endoavored neither to make herself
or husband happy, while he worried and
annoyed, weary with daily care and anxiety
returned to his home, where he should have
found rest and happiness, to find everything
gloomy and disotdered; an untIdv room,