Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-09-29
BRATTLEBORO, w.: SEPT. 20, 1860.


he came in. Isuppose we both looked as harm
less as lambs, and We showed no curiosity to
inspect his bundle till he told us to open it.
"What pretty gughamn said ma, sudden.
y. Too pretty to cut up for such little child
declare, husband, | mean to make it up with
long skirts"
och? You doP'
"Yes. 1t will cut out more saving, and, be-
sides, | shall not have to starch pantacts so
often. 1t will save trimming them, too, for they
will be out of sight Her under.skirts will
keep clean longer, and can be made Of the
cheapest materials, and coorcd ones will do as
well as white"
"'lIove you got through. maam p asked pa.
Oh so loftily Because if You have should
like to be heard. am the head Of the family,
if you please, and shall decide how my children
shall be dressed. You are not going to make
them awkward AMI singular, just to save pen
ny. | have no FAULT to find with economy,
maam; but stingincss is mean trait in any
one. You will please to make Jennys irocks
just as other children wear them. As to the
saving of washing and starchng, | never en-
courage idlcncss, and, with Fanny's help, think
you can do all the washing required" Ma
looked crest-fallen enough but she always does
at such times, because she is so thoroughly
ashamed of the part she is acting"
"What of your dress, Fanny? Did he buy
one for you?'
"Yes. will show it to you when We go up
stairs. 1t seems that ma had spoken to him
about procuring some material for making a
new quilt for the boys bed. So as soon as she
saw the print, she exclaimed, 'Why, husband,
how could you think Of buyug such colurs to
make into bed quilt? | declare it is more
suitable for dress for Fanny and if YOU like
it, love- she added turning to me, well make
1t up Tor YOU No, you won't. You will make
it into quilt But surely, husband urged
ma, you will not permit Fanny to select dress
for herself? She is too young 'She must
begin to spend money, ma'am, or she will never
know how. If your parents had trained YOU to
use money properly, should not have to spend
so much time in the stores. Fanny, here are
three dollars for dress. Use your best udg-
ment in selecting it, take time to think and to
calculate, and then purchase Now that ma
had succeeded in putting everything straight
she felt so badly about decciying him that she
fairly broke down. and had good crying spell
on the spot
"how did that effect him ?"
"Oh! he took it as an evidence of submission
to his authority, and | think he was rather
pleased to see it,
began to think uncle Ezekiel must be a sim
pleton not to see the natural fruits of his over
beorng system. looked at my aunt with pity
for her position, and real admiration for her
genius and quckne of thought. She met my
glance as | watched her, and smiled as she read
the expression of my countenance.
Truly, aunt said, you are woman of
many resources
She had been called out when Fanny COM
menced her story, and supposed that referred
to the mornings managing. "Do YOU think So,
my dear? DO not seek to acquire them There
is nothing charming as truthful words and
frank looks. Pity me, il you will, but do not
learn of me to be nsincere.'
"lou are not insincere, mother" said Fanny.
suddenly throwing down her work and coming
to her mothers side. Every body knows how
good and truthful you are, cxccp, where pa is
concerned, and that YOU can't help. He obiiges
YOU to deceive him. and he is responsible for it..
Isn't it so Mary"
could not reply; and my aunt sighed deep
ly as she stopped down and kissed the childish
lips SO eager to defend her.
CHATTER ILL.,
There is no place in which a mans worth can
be thoroughly tested except in his own home.
II he Is bearlsh and surly there, uncvi to his
wife, or uncourteous to his guests he NAV be
as polite and attentive as he chooses in other
spheres, but he is never gentleman, and is
never mistaken for one
1t is nv opinion that my uncle Ezekiel was
not gentleman. 1t would require volume
to hint even at all the ways in which hi dom
lnecring spirit showed itself No familiar con-
versation could he carried on in his presence
because OF his contradiction. lie fatted on op-
position, and il was a relief to everybody when
he was out If the house. There was nothing
too trivial for his attention. Ny aunt was never
allowed to spend penny for the smallest trihe
without his permission. lie selected her dress
IS, As wei! as the childrcns and dictated how
the smallest articles should be made up.-
remember very well the severe reprimand that
Fanny received for cutting night-cap by new
pattern without his consent. The poor little
thing never made its appearance in the wash
tub, or ON the cioihes-frame without being the
subject IF sarcastic remark Such an abused
little union of lace and cambrc, | think, never
before existed.
Ills superintendent extended to the smallest
details of the kitchen, and ordered every dish
that came to the table. We had queer tasting
food sometimes; though generally my aunt's
genius in anticipating his absurd whms, and
her tact in getting the right kind of orders
from him, made all right in the culinary de-
partment
II visitors were expected, he was especially
alert and it required sharp practice on her part
to smuggle in the proper quantity of contra
band spices, while his lynx eyes were upon her.
1t was no common sleg ht-of-h hand perform ance
to substitute, before his face, sweet marioram
and thyme for the sage and tausy that he had
determined should flavor the soup, or goose
stufng or to rub sufficient butter or lard into
the pastry that he had foreordained should be
mixed with buttermilk. Yet my aunt did all
this, while he inwardly chuckled over her sub
mission to his will.
1t was the latter part of August, that one of
our neighbors proposed an excursion down the
river, and picnic in Sadler's Grove. 1t was
five miles distant, and had for years been place
OF popular summer resort. Each family in the
neighborhood was to be invited and besides
the pies, cakes, and other eatables that could be
carried, the genius of the grove was to supply
a clam bake and fish -chowder. The neighbors
enthusiastically agreed to it, and much excite
ment in regard to the contributions to the feast
reigned in every kitchen. Except uncle Zekies.
lie was out of town when the party was pro-
posed, and no one had mentioned ii before him.
For day or two we lived in hourly expectation
of seeing him rush into the house with orders
for us to prepare for the occasion; but the
precious time passed till only one day remained,
hal 4