The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-08-19
From the Atlantic Monthly.
The KinlOch Estate, and how it
was Settled.

Now my readers are doubtless prepared for
catastrophe. They will expect to hear Mrs.
Kinloch cry, ssLucy Ransom, you jade, what
esre you doing? Take your clothes and trum-
perry and leave this house!'' You will suppose
that her son Hugh will be shut up in the cell
lar on bread and water, or sent off to sea in
disgrace. That is the traditional way with
angry mistresses, know; but Mrs. Kinlech
was not one Of the common sort. She did not
know Talleyrand's maxim,-"Never act from
first impulses, for they are always-rightr'-
Indeed, doubt il she had ever heard Of that
slippery Frenchman; but observation and ex-
perience had led her to adopt similar line of
policy.
& Therefore she did not scold or send away
Lucy; she could not well do without her; and
besides, there were reasons which made il de-
sirable that the girl should remain friendly
She did not call out 10 her hopefrl son, either,
although her fingers did Itch to tweak his
profigate ears. She knew that dispute
with him would oEly end in his going of in a
huff, and she thought she could employ him
better. So she coughed first and then stepped
out into the yard. Hugh presently came
ksauntering down the walk, and Lucy sang
among the clothes-lines as blthely and uncon-
cerned as though her lips had never tasted any
flavor more piquant than bread and butter.
1t was rathsr an equivocal look which the
mistress cast over her shoulder at the girl 1t
might have said,-"Poor fool! singe your
wings in the candle il you will" 1t might
have been only the scorn Of outraged virtue.
"Hugh," slid Mrs. Kinloch, sscome into the
house moment. rwant TO speak with you."
The young man looked up rather astonished
but he could not read his mothers placid face.
Her hair lay smooth on her temples, uader her
neat cap; her face was almost waxy pale, her
lips gently pressed together; and il her clear,
gray eyes had beamed with warm or more
humid light she might have served,a painter as
model for
a .steadfast nun, devout and pure"
When they reached the sitting-room, Mrs.
Kinloeh began.
"Hugh do you think Of going to a again ?
\ Now tnat am alone in the world, don't you
think you can make up your mind to stay at
home?"
81 haven't thought much about it, mother.-
suppose should 60 when ordered, as mat
ter Of course; have nothing else to do''
"That need not be a reason. There is plen-
! " to do without waiting for promotion in the
navy till you are gray"
, "Why, mother, you know have no profess
sion, and, suppose may say, no money. At
least, the Squire made no provision for me
that know Of, and Pm sure you cannot wish
me to live on your .thirds.'"
ssMy son you should have somet aonfdence
in my advice, by this time. 1t doesn't require
a great fortune to live comfortably here"
eyes, but it Is ,leused dull in this old town.
No theatre,-no concert,-ne music at all, but
from n-grinders,-no parties,-noth-
Ing, IN fact, but prayer-meeting from one
weeks end to another. / should die Of the
blues here"
ssOnly find something to do, settle yourself
into pleasant home, and you'll forget your
uneasiness."
That's very well to say"-
"And very easy to do. But it isn't the way
to begin by flirting with every pretty, foolish
girl you see. Oh, Hughl you are all Ihave to
, love. ! shall grow old soon, and want to
lean upon you. Give up the navy; be advised
BY me-"
Hugh whistled softly. He cid not suppose
that his mother knew Of his gallantry. He
was amused at her sharp observation.
$50 you think Pm Airt, mother?" said
he. "You are out, entirely. Pm pattern Of
prcpristy-at homel"
"You need noi tell me, Hugh! know more
than you think. But din't know that son
OF mine could be so simple as find you are.'
"She's after me-" thought Hugh. ''She saw
me, surely"
His mother went on.
"Wlth such an opportunity az you have to
get yourself wife Don'tlaugh! Iwant
to see you married, for you will never SOW