Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-11-15
nligttllantaus.
From the n. Y. Weekly.
COnrtship and Cleaning House !
ny HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

/
ltwas the most golden and glorious of Sep
tember days. The veil of blue haze hanging
like canopy over the distant hills, seemed
absolutely to quiver in the radiant glow of
the autumn sunshine, and the grapes, whose
amethystino clusters blushed through the tre-
lis Of clinging leaves, grew deeper in color
and more boomy, as if they had stolen the
imperial dye of a thousand purple sttnsets
and brilliant dawns, as the sun mounted high
er and higher, in tho cloudIcss dome of heav-
en-. No lrescoed ceiling, hung with iewelled
pendant was ever more beautiful than this
arbor Of grapc-leavcs where the light and
shadow danced in fitful arabesqucs with
every moving wind-and so thought Richard
Mayfield, as he came slowly up the garden
path that led to his brothers house.
The mansion itself, however, was far from
presenting the gala aspect which pervaded
all nature, and our heros countenance under
went n ludicrous transformation, MS he eyed
the yawning windows and wide open doors.
by all the powers, said he to himself, If
Isabel isn't cleaning house again Well, wo-
men are the most unaccountable creatures!
] do believe they delight in turning things
upside down, and making themselves, and
the restof the world uncomfortable. What's
the use Of choking people with dust, and de-
luging 'em with soap and water twice year?
However, let the dear enigmas have their own
way. I'm sure am the last person in the
world to object
With these philosophical reflections yet in
his mind, Mr.. Mayfeld deftly threaded his
way through colony of whitcwash pals and
lime kettles that surrounded the front door,
and entered upon the scene of action. 1t was
quite plain from the shout with which the
children greeted his appearance, that he was
q general iavorite.
Halo uncle Dick, tre'er cleaning house =
cried Master Henry Augustus May who
was mounted astrde of II doubled up feather
bed, castigating it fearfully with his mothers
best silk parasol.
'Ain't it SPLENDID. Uncle Dick p exclaimed
Miss Julia, who was endeavoring to 'pry out
the principle of sound from thirty dollar
music box, by introducing a carving knife
into its interior works, while Mrs. Mayfield,
half distracted by calls from divers directions,
was totally unconscious of the mischief being
wrought.
Dick. | am SC puzzled and annoyed she
said. "IIere is John called to the city by |
IL,
down.
Thought that was you ladies liked said
Dick. perching himself upon the top of the
dining table, and rescuinga a shell basket from
the destructive grasp of the smallest Mayfie!d
of all.
And my cook has gone, and the fire won't
burn, and the wall-whiteners haven't come,
this morning, and the parlor ceiling is half
you know the sewing society is to
be here tomorrow highland Dick, what
,haU | do p
Don't fret " said Richard, soothingly. IH
make the fire burn, or III know the reason
why; and can finish the ceiling for YOU T
You?
yes. me! Didn't whitcn nv own room
It college, when we boys had smoked it into
he color of an old snutf-bo ? And then I'll
ack the carpet down, and see about putting
hose dslocated bedsteads together
But, Dick, you must be two tired after
lancing until twelve o'clock at the picnic
Me, tired? Fiddlcsticksl Where's the re-
FACTORY stoye7'
The very fire was not proof against Dicks Il
unnv determination. 1t broke into cheer
nj blaze the moment he attacked its citadel. c
md Isrbcl's face frightened simultaneously.
yhe skill with which he next erected scaf-
olding, and mounted thereon, with q pano-
Div of whitewash pals and brushes, was per-
sctly astounding, the more so, as his slender ,
igure. rather pale complexion, arstocratically
me who was adapted only to Broadway pave. :
nents and glittering bathrooms.
4 suppose the workmen didn't leave their t
yardrobes, when they went away last eve /
,inp. Bell p he asked, when he had scaled
he rather rerilous hcig ght.
sNo said his sister in-law. laughing.