Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1860-06-26
vavs done the house work. for he would

ways done the house work, for he would
have thought it piece of useless ex-
travagance to hire servant girl; indeed,
he would not have permitted it. His
penuriousness was carried to such an ex-
tent that he actually locked the cellar
and pantry doors, and kept the keys
himself, doling out with a grudging
hand the provisions needed for each
DAYS use; for he said if he allowed them
free access to everything, they would
waste and give away enotgh to ruin him:
And the patient, pale faced woman and
daughter submitted to these things with
out murmur, each rejoicing in their
hearts that William had escaped this
CALLING bondage which must enthrall
them until death set them free.
Mrs. Englesby's health had long been
failing, and three months after William
went away, her pure and gentle spirit
was released from the trials of earth.
Amy became paler and stiller than
ever; she mourned for her mother, but
not as those who have no hope in the
future mourn, for she knew her sainted
parent was at rest, and she could not
wish her back to life so desolate. Mr..
Englesby would not allow Amy to put
on mourning; m it was. foolish, expensive
fashion he said, which he would not en-
courage. But he himself, actually went
into the extravaganza of buying half a
yard of black Grape to wear on his old
white hat. This done, he set about
looking up successor to his departed
wife. He soon found one in a twice
widowed sister of the late Mr. Englesby
Mrs. Rock was brisk little woman,
possessing pair of flashing black eyes,
and small amount of money.
''Maria Rock is the woman for me, :"
soliloquized the widower-'' -''they do say
she worried her first two husbands into
the grave, and | know she has an awful
temper, but | can break it. Esther
once had temper Of her own, but it
was pretty well subdued before she died,
| poor woman.
And heaving a sigh of double mean
ing. Mr.. Englesby proceeded to dress
himself in his best swallow tail blue coat,
with its rows Of shining brass buttons,
and then set off to lay his marriage prop,
osition before Mrs. Rock.
She was a light, well-informed little
body, dressed always with neatness and
taste, and her keen, black eyes sparkled
lively welcome as "brother James
made his appearance at the door. She
knew his errand as we'll as if he declared
it; but you never would have guessed
what she knew and thought, SO easy and
unembarrassed was her greeting. After
Mr.. Englesby had declared himself in
due form and she had graciously accepted
him, she said quietly:
"You know, James, am not one of
the good, peaceable kind, like poor
Esther I must and will have my own
way!"
"Of course you shall have everything
that is necessary said the suitor,
scratching his bald pate and smiling
blandly.
Mrs. Rock smiled too, smile of ma
licious triumph, which the infatuated
wooer did not heed.
He went home and ordered Amy to
get up a grand dinner. He gave her
the keys, and gave her money, telling
her to buy whatever she pleased.
She ventured to ask his reasons for
such unprecedented extravaganza, altho'
her boding heart anticipated his reply.
"Because, child, am to be married
on Wednesday to your aunt Rock
Amy recoiled; she loved her aunt, for
she knew her to be a woman of generous
impulses, though of fiery temper, and
she had not believed her capable Of tax
ing her departed sisters place, in four
short months after her sister had been
laid in the grave. She was much
shocked, but she dared not say word;
she knew her objections would be re-
garded as henious ofenses by her father.
Therefore, she arranged the old scan
tily furnished house with the utmost
care Not speck of dirt could be found
from garret to cellar; not even cobweb
was left Then she consulted her cook
book, and prepared dinner which re
fected great credit upon her culinary
duties. In her domestic duties she
found ample excuse for absenting her
self from the little church where the
marriage ceremony was performed
When the new Mrs Englesby arrived
she greeted Amy with kind cordiality
bnt her niece received her in the sad
shy manner peculiar to the down-trod-
den, although the conscious bride de-
tected slight reproachful expression i'll
the soft grey eyes that met hers onl Y for al
instant She quietly took her place at
the head of the table, which Amy re
signed to her, and her lively sallies KEEP
her Lord in the greatest good humor
land more than once brought the smile tc
Amy's grave face. The remains Of this
feast served for several days, and thel
the lady Of the house began to looE
around for fresh supply. in answe
to fluent inquiries respecting the LOCKED
g doors, Amy told her it was her father :
custom to deal out provisions each day a
his discretion.
ssAh, he does, does hep muttered th'
new mistress between her set teeth
while her black eyes snapped ominously
<'Well, we'll, I'll relieve the poor mai
of that trouble
That day Mr.. Englesby was going t
the mill. He had a large grist, and di'
: not expect to return until night.
. "Here Maria, said he, returning from
, the cellar with meat, potatoes and but
9 ter, ''theres what you will want to-day
= Oh! [ forgot the -four, and he went int
the pantry and brought cut two-quar
basin of -four, then locked the door, put
ting the key in his pocket.
] ''Mr- Englesby,' said his wife, he
! eyes showering sparks of indignation
i and contempt upon him, Il beg 20" t
q give me those keys, Iprefer to help my
cnlf''