Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-03-29

anu d litiiS itiA a. bilf7h IA ~
She allowed herself to do Just what her
husband had been in the habit of doing,
and no more. He usually left the coal
dust and cinders for her to sift and clear
away, as we'll as the remnants of wood
and shavings to pick up; and she didn't
feel inclined to limit his privileges at this
time The dining table stood in the mid
die of the room, also covered with books,
papers, writing materials and other arti-
cles used the evening before. These she
did not modest, and without pulling up
the shades, or putting back the chairs, she
took newspaper and began to read.
The Squire had evidently completed his
toilet quicker than common, but it was
nevertheless nearly an hour before he made
his appearance 1t was something novel
to see his wife reading before breakfast,
and he could not help smiling to witness
her perfect sang fyoid.
I've been up long time, and renew
ed the fire twice, Mr.. Crosby" she remark
cd, without looking up.
This was the Squires favoritc saluta-
tion when his wife happened to take an
extra nap of five minutes.
The gentleman made no reply, for he
understood. what the remark meant with
out the aid of an interpreter. lie pro-
ceedcd to business with great alacrity, pill
ins the books and papers upon chairs and
nearly spllling some oil, by carrying a
lamp the wrong way, and, by allowing the
kettle to boil over some five minutes before
he got ready to take it out, he succeeded
in getting the cloth laid, though in rather
an awkward manner.
Il think should relish piece of beet
steak, Mr.. Crosby remarked the lady in
the rocking chair.
Ah, then you shall have it," replied
the housckeeper of the day, patronizingly,
as he busted himself with napkins, cups,
sauccrs, plates, knives, forks, etc. He
tried to recollect how Mrs Crosby arrang-
ell them, but in spite Of all his attempts,
he could make no application to that lady
for advice; as she apparently was absorb
ed in her reading.
Adjoining to the kitchen, the Squire
attended to the making of "dclcious
cup of coffee" and long struggle with
the bccfateak, which refused to broil to
his satisfaction When returning to the
dlnningroom, after "a long absence, look
ing heated and impatient, Mrs. CROSBY
remarked, consulting her watch, " that he
had been absent long enough to make a
beefsteak.'
This observation the Squire remember
ed to have heard before, but did not make
it apparent. At length the coffee aud
meat were brought in, and all things were
pronounced ready by the officiating master
Of ceremonies.
Mrs Crosby seated herself and began
to carve the Squire took his place atthe
head Of the table, and proceeded to pour
out the coffee.
The bread, Mr. Crosby suggested
the lady.
Bless me, | forgot t!o he exclaimed,
dropping tha cofer-pot aud jumping up 50
hastily that he came very near oyerturn-
ins the table.
Thc bread was soon procured, cut Ia
slice, varying in thickness from wafer
to luuk Of four inches,
The butter, Nr. Crosby, suggested
his companion, when he was again fairly
seated
Il declare what poor memory l
have got - and setting down the cup
which he had taken up tor the second time
ne started for the missing article fiae-
ing 1t IN triumph beside MS ~tie'S plate
ne renewed MS attempts ~ 'oI'ee' i'ou' ~.
and this time was successful but 1t must
be contes9e that he eyel the dark looking
beverage with some uncertainty as he pass
ed 1t across the table -
Muddy coffee again. Ar' o'osoy
abruptly sad the lady,
The Squire hadn't a wora ot repiy
:" Very smoky beeistcaS' my dear =
what have you done to II Z Yea must De
extremely careless or sdea thinSs eou'an /
happen SO often as lhey DO sue 'ph''i'-
ucd, pushing large piece OF the oonoA,
lous article to Que side OF her plate
What a woman tins Is to rememner'
to be sure. Anybody would suppose that
she had kept dairy of my unlucky Oh
servatons for year. Why, she has them
all at her tongues end ~ thought the Ia
divilual addressed, though he didn't see
fit to make any immediate rejolnder.
The Squire had but little appetite; his
wife remarked the fact. and hoped "that