The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-03-19
HOW I LOST MY LOVER.
By NELL CLIFFORD.

" Be careful of the fire, Nelly" was
the last injunction of thousand that my
parents gave me. as they started off on a
visit to some relatives residing eastward
beyond the White Mountains. They
were to remain absent about fortnight
and | was to be commander in chief OF
rows Of shining milk pans, pots, kettles,
and household affairs in general and par
ticular.
Farmers wives know that this is a
post Of considerable importance, Of hard
duty and constant watchfulness. / was
so thoroughly convinced Of my compe-
tency as housewife, that l was sorely
irritated when my good mother implied
doubts of it. by her countless and repeat
ed charges.
Now, | thought, 81 am alone in my
glory" as l sat down to recover the pa
tience and breath had lost in racing af-
ter collars, pins, and neck ties and in
order to prepare for commencing opera
tions, which resolved should astonish
my unbelieving parents, and show them
what treasure Of daughter they un.
Willingly possessed, l glanced around.
The rooms were in woful confusion
Bandboxes, lesser boxes, boots, coats,
pants, and cast-off shirts, were scattered
over the floor and chairs cob-w hung
from the ceiling and windows on the
table lay huge pile of unwashed dish
es and the half-open doors revealed tum-
bled beds and musty toilet stands. This
accumulation Of disorder would have
driven Lord Chesterfield distracted and
no wonder the mirror opposite reflected
a heated and impatient face. / was no
longer TO be daunted. however, for had
a notion to try what pair of spry feet
and hands could accomplish. AT that
instant, the old clock in the sitting room
pealed forth one, two, three, four, FIVE !;
the morning was yet young. and l arose
with quick step and a light heart
Broom, brush. dish. cloths, and persever-
ing labor, got the mastery and short
ly surveyed with proud satisfaction the
beautiful order l had brought about.
Something still was wanting, and snatch
ing my broad-rim from its accustomed
nail, with eager footsteps1 sought my
flower garden. Selecting choice roses,
pansies, and verbenas, l transferred them
to our cosy parlor, very angels of fra
GRANGE and beauty. Nor was this all. l
determined TO get dinner that would
shed honor upon me so, barring my
arms, was soon deep in Aunt Dinah's
mysteries, thought. busy, and, as the Sc
quel will prove, thought. wandering
Through the tender care Of the novel
ist, a heroine retains the Immaculate
whiteness OF her robes. even though she
should wade through mud puddle. He
knows it would never do to introduce
her washing be-draggled and be-spatter-
ed shirts ; it would sound unromantic.
Well, / once was simple enough to be-
lieve all his fibs, and inclined 10 initiate
his lady Angelas in dress +; SO l donned
my daintiest white muslin. While
stood before the glass, could not help
feeling good deal of natural. feminine
vanity. for ! was looking my very best.
True, my figure was rather too short,
and its proportion was of too healthy
fullness Tor elegance and. according to
the American type of beauty, my cheek
WAS of too rich color but was pretty
there was no gainsaying it. My short,
thick curls and bright black eyes were
and knew it. | was vain
puss. then, petted, half.spoilt, only
daughter, and heiress to broad acres.