The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-02-11
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SCENES In MY HOUSEHOLD.

I was sewing away one morning, for
dear life as the saying is, intending to
make a good day of it, and put my work
ahead when Hetty, my little daughter,
five years old, gave a pull at my elbow,
and said,
Mamma
Well, dear, what is wanted % l did
not look aside from my work, into her
sweet little face, nor speak in as loving
tones as usual, for the interruption was
nos wholly agreeable.
Can't l have my wax doll, mamma ?"
Now this wax doll was a treasured
present from grandmother, highly priced
and carefully treated by lIetty; and after
being tcnderly nursed by her, dressed
and undressed, on rare occasions, laid
away under lock and key in one of my
bureau drawers.
Not to-day" was my answer.
"Why not to-day, mamma %
Sure enough, why not to-day? That
was just the question. Was it because
Hctty might injure the doll 4! No; that
was not the reason; for she was IL care
full little girl. The true reason was,
did not wish to leave my work and lose
five minutes time in going up stairs to
the bureau. But what reply was made
to Hetty! A very unreasonable and I'M
satisfactory one; and such as no mother
should ever make.
"Becausc you can't have Dolly to-
day"
Becausc-IIow many shortcomings and
sins of omission are covered by this con-
venient vagucly-mcanly, little word.
d" won't hurt her, mother, I'll be,
oh so careful. Do, mother, let me have
Dolly"
i" Didn't 1 say that you couldn't have
Dolly -
knit my irows, and spoke with some
severity. Having said no, must be firm.
Right or wrong, must be consistent );
that is, have my own Will in the case.-
And as | was the stronger Of the two, of
course my will decided the question be.
tween us.
Poor IIetty! She knew something of
my hard decision of character, and re-
tired from the contest. AS turned my
eyes from her face to my work, carried
in my mind the image of her grieving
lips, ard tcar-Glled eyes. Was rebuked!
Yes. Did | repent! Yes. And 90 for
the doll at once No. | was busy at
my work, and could not spare minute.
Sewing seams was of more consequence
than sewing seeds OF happiness in the
heart of my child. And then, had not
said that Dolly was not to make her APP
pearance to-day! Was | to break my
word. No. l must be u consistent
mother, if expected to govern my chill
dren Alright.
1t was very still in the room for the
next ten minutes. Only a sob or two
broke the silence, at first, as Hetty
choked down her disappointment. She
had crcpt into the great armchair, and
was sitting there idle and silent. After
a while | turned partly around, and CLAN
ccd towards her stcalthily.sF Her brow
was contracted, her lips pursed out
slightly, and over her whole face was a
shade of unhappincss.
"Why don't you get your china doll p
said |, rather coldly.
"l don't want my china DOLL" she an
swered.
80, very we'll, just as you please, my
little lady, | returned; and took no
more notice of her for ten minutes longer
all the while working away as intently
as if our next meal depended on the re-
suit of my labor. l was sorry that [ had
not taken the time to get Hetty's wax
doll, but, as | had said no, | concluded
that it was best to let no remain in force.
Presently she slipped down from the
arm Chair, and went quietly from the
room. | paused in my work, and listened
to the light patter Of her feet as she went
up stairs.
a faint sigh, born of a passing regret
came up from my heart. {" 1t would
have been better if | had given her the
doll,' said | to myself. "But it is toe
late now"
So | bent to my sewing again, and
made the little needle fly with increased
velocity.
Il wonder where that child is, anG
what she is doing?'
Nearly half an hour had passed since
Hetty left the room. l paused in my
work as [ asked myself the question, ant
| listened. But could hear no sound o.
her. would have laid down my sewing
and gone in search of her, only-what
felt as if could not spare the time
L" Hctty ~
There was no reply.
lletty! Where are you %
a voice was raised to louder key
but no response CAME. So l bent to my
work once more.
But this uncertainty as to where the
child had gone, and what she was doing,
could not very long be borne. The time
came when dropped everything, and
started, in some concern of mind, from
the room. | looked into my own cham
Der, but she was not there. | called but
got no answer. Then l ran up to the
third story, and pushed the door of one
OF the rooms open hastily. In the mid
die OF the bed sat my little truant, busly
at work, with pair of scissors, on an
elegant lace cape which cost me fifteen
dollars.
With quick exclamation and an ex-
cited nsppor T e,r,o, Il, ,,,,x Al