Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-28
A Story Of Currant Jelly.
BY cLTHERINE ?. WILLIAMS.
ICOntaued.l


cheeks cooled, but her indignation did not
''TO be spoken to in such way by a coarse
old woman like that" she said to herself
Conscience smOte her little for these words;
but she said, az don't care; saint could not
bear it, l was well disposed to her when came
here. l would always have been good to her
if she would let me, and thoughts of fifty hate
full little ways of ''mether's" added bitterness
to her feelings.
As in usual in such cases, there were faults
on both sides. Sophy found Mrs. Clinton
already in possession when she came home TO
her husbands house. The old lady had lived
with her son for several years, and was aceus
toned to sovereign rule. Then Sophy, only
nineteen, was deficient in the details Of house
keeping She could make nice cake and pastry,
it is true, and picking and preserving she did
in the best manner; but making soapl and clean
ing the cellar and mopping the kitchenl trying
out the tallOw putting down the hamsand corn
ed beef of these and many kindred subjects
she was utterly ignorant. Old Mrs. Clinton
naturally took the lead, and Sophy as naturally
followed; yielding disposition, and a dread
of having disturbance; had much to do with
it, but there was one other cause in operation.
So3ey was a little indOlent; not about doing
things she understood, but in facing disagree
ties and learning thoroughly things she did
not know and could not like. She saw her
mother-in laws faults very clearly; and Mrs.
Clinton saw hers with equal plainness; yet, as
Sophy, to any unprejudiced observer, was much
the least to blame, it is not strange that to her
self she appeared entirely excusable; and that
the wish, ''if she we're only away" required
again and again to her mind,
you've got little spot of currant Jelly on
your cheek, said the old lady, as they sat down
to dinner. ...ar..
SOphy went into the bedroom and tried to
wash It of, but it would not come, She re-
membered her whole tenor Of thought that
morning and was frightened.
Alfred Clinton found his wife unusually seri-
Gus and quiet that evening, and, after several
vain attempts to enliven her, he inquired, ten
derly, my darling Sophy, what's the matter!"
For reply she threw her arms around his
neck, and, bursting into food of tears ex-
claimed .l1 ...
"Ol Alfred, if you love me, take me away
from here; l am SO very unhappy"
Alfred's brow was grave in moment "Is
it my mother, SophyP" he asked. d..
'Yes,n she sObbed, "I never said anything
before, but I feel as if cannot bear it any
longer. am nothing but servant in house
where have right to be the mistress!n
Certainly you have that right, ;" said Alfred,
''and have seen that all was not as it should
be. Tell me Just what you think and feel about
it, Sophy." t......a.
Thus encouraged, the young wife poured
forth all her grieis; how she never could count
on any time of her own, and she was continually
being set at work which properly belonged to
d. ~ 4ob1o - l.
arranged, but must always be set with the old
blue dishes; how brown sugar was used in the
tea and coffee, and napkins were forbidden
because they made so much washing; how it
was all she could do to have her own silver ta-
ble-spOons, that she brought from home, used on
the table, old Mrs. Clinton thinking that Britain
MIA metal was good enough for common, etc
etc. All these griefs Alfred listened to res
pectfully; though having been always used to
his mothers ways, he did not thoroughly COM
prehend how they appeared to Sophy, who
had been accustomed to a tasteful and attrac-
tive home, "And the worst of all is" she said
in conclusion, 81 don't feel as if had the least
authority in the world / cannot have pudding |
for dinner, or sEeatmeats for tea unless she |
chooses; she orders all the household proVis- |
ions, and all the household work. am treated |
as nothing but child, and l feel myself per- |
fectly helpless and tyrannized over"
'Now, my darling" returned Alfred, "you |
must not be angry if / say you are little to !
blame yourself for all this: you give up to my
mother too entirely"
"Oh, Alfred" she exclaimed, with fresh
burst of sobs, 81 didn't think you ever would |
blame me for that"
"But must-just little, he said, smiling |
Nov, Sophy, have proposal to make to
you. Take your place at once as mistress Of
the house. Bridget is attached to you, and |
there is no need that we should practice rigid |
economy. Have the napkins and the china |
and silver on the table every day. Use such |
quantities and qualities rs you think most |
suitable. Don't perform Bridgets work, YOU /
have enough to do your own. Act, in short |
exactly as you would do if my mother was only
boarding with u.s." .
''But am afraid" )" said Sophy, "there are
some things 1 don't know about.
.'Well, cannot you learn? Bridget under
stands most kinds Of work, and only requires
overseeing where she is ignorant. You must
set to work and learn together;-you will find
it hard at first; my mother viii not give up all
at once, but when she finds you are In earnest,
and understand what you are doing, she will |
cease TO object
"Wen will try" said sophy, douBtfuly,
''but fear never shall succeed"
"Consult her tastes where it seems proper
you should do so; and one thing, Sophy, be very
careful about Don't get angry, no matter what
happens, for that will spoil everything hope
you VII find it possible, after a time, to live in
comfort and harmony, and yet exert your right.
full authority. 1t is very desirable TO have it so