Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-31
COURTsHIP AND CLEANING HOUSE.

like a canopy over the distant hills, seemed
absolutely to culver in the radiant glow Of
autumn sunshine, and the grapes, whose ame-
tbystine cluster blushed through the trellis of
clinging leaves, grew deeper in color and more
bloomy, as If they had stolen the imperial dye
of thousand purple sunsets and brilliant
dawns, as the sun mounted higher in the
cloudless dome Of heaven. No frescoed ceiling
hung with jewcled pendants was ever more
beautiful than this arbor Of grape leaves, where
the light and shadow mingled in Fl tful arabeseue
with every moving wind-aud SO thought
Richard Mayfeld, 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 peryaded all
nature, and our heros cOuntenance underwent
ludicrous transformation, as he eyed the
yawning windows and wide open doors.
''By all the powers" he said to himself "If
Isabel isn't cleaning house again, Well, wo-
men are most unsccountable creatures, do
believe they delight in turning things upside
down, and making themselves and the rest of
the world uncomfortable. What's the use of
choking people with dust, and deluging 'em
with soap and water twice year? However,
let the dear enigmas have their own way
m sure am the last person in the world to
object"
With these philosophical reflections vet in
his mind, Mr.. Mayfeld deftly threaded his
way through a colony of whitewash pals and
lime kettles that surrounded the front door,
and entered upon tie scene of action. 1t was
quite plain, from the shout with whish the
children greeted his appearance, that he was
general fayOrite
Halo, Uncle Dick: we're cleaning house,n
cried Master Henry Augustus Mayfeld, who
was mounted astride of a doubied-up feather
bed, castigating it fearfully with his mothers
best silk psrssol
"Ain't it splendid, Uncle Dick.' exclaimed
Miss Julia, who was endeavering to 'pry OUT
the principle Of sound from $50 music box
by introducing carving knife into its inte-
rior works, while Mrs. Mayfeld, half distract
ed by calls from divers directions was totally
unconscious of the mischief being wrought.
''Dlck. am so puzzled and annoyed" she
said; "here is John called to the city by a
down.
Thought that was what you ladies liked. {"
said Dick, perching himself upon the top of
the dining table, and rescuing a shell basket
from the destructive grasp Of the smallest
MaYfeld Of all.
"And my cook has gone, and the fire won't
burn, and the wall whiteners hav Mt come this
morning. and the parlor ceiling is half unfin-
ished, and you know, the sewing society is to
be here tomorrow highland, o Dick, what
shall dO2'
"Don't fret.'' said Richard, soothingly,
oil make the fire burn, or I'll know the rea-
VI.
"Youi"
"Yss, 1. Didn't whiteu my own room at
college, when We boys smoked it into the color
of an old snufb0x. And then I'll tack the
carpet down and see about putting those dis
located bedsteads together"
But Dick, you must be too tired, after
dancing till twelve O'Clock at tho picnic last
night"
" Ne tired7 Fiddlestick. Where's the re-
fractory stoyei'
The very fire was not proof against Dicks
sunny determination. 1t broke into a cheer
full blaze the moment he attacked the citadel,
and Isabels face frightened simultaneously.
The skill with which he next erected a scat
folding and mounted thereon, with a panoply
of whItewash pals and brushes, was perfectly
astounding, the more so, as his slender figure
rather pale complexion, aristOcratically small
feet and hands, conveyed the idea of one who
was adapted only to Broadway pavements and
gittering ball rooms.
=" suppose the workmen didn't leave their
wardrobes, when they went away last evening
Bell '' he asked, when he had scaled the
rather perilous height.
No." said his sister-in-law, laughing
Then just hand up that old shetland a
piece Of bed cord yOnder. Now, don't you
admire my tout ensemble ?"
Uncle Dick looks like ghost" said Mas
ter Henry Augustus.
No, he don't-he looks like the old miller
down at the pond" struck in Miss Julia.
Upon my word, / don't know which is the
most complimentary, /" observed Richard drily
Now then clear the track, every soul of you,
and give me q chance"
And he worked on, now pausing to survey
his achievements, but oftenest of all, relapsing
into thoughts OF the beautiful young damsel at
the picnic last night who had been so studi-
ously cold and reserved toward him
"She won't like me-" thought he, "and
for the life Of me can't tell why Well, as L
said before, women are unaccountable CON-
Germs w
"Amy," said Miss Brownleigh to her pretty
young cousin, AZ wish you would Just run over
TO Mira. Mayfelds with this note. The chill
dren are at SCI hool, and have no one to send -
90, 10, said Amy, while Trash tinge suf-
used her delicate cheek. 1 don't want to en-
counter that superfne collegian."
tNonsense, he isn't there-he is staying
with Harry Franklin"
20, then / will take the note, said Amy,
rising aud looking around for her coquettish
little gypsy hat.
You are the strangest girl, Amy" said her
cousin. "What can be the reason that you
dislike Richard Mayfeld? eis 50 handsome
and 80 talented :"
people," said Amy demurely "Mv husband
must be of some use in the world "
is9" ''N
Cant be possible" said Amy, archly
shaking her curls. His hands are too small
for anything but lemon-color kid gloves. I'll
wager a new bonnet, Alice, that be never did
anything more laboriOus than to carry a box
Of cigars, in his life ?''
Miss Brownleigh laughed, and Amy passed
out of the vine-wreathed porch, wondering
within herself whether Mr.. Richard Msyield
had been much yexed because she had refused
TO dance with him the evening before.
Mrs. John Mayheld's house was at no very
great distance, and as Amy was quite intimate
with that lady, and understood the domestic
saturnalia that was at present transpiring
within her domains, she did not think it neces-
sary to knock, but opened the door asd walked
in without ceremony.
There stood Dick, the apex of pyramidal
scaffolding Of boards, his fine broacloth raj
msnt obscured by lime-splashed sheet which
was girdled around his waist by ponderous
knot Of rope, and his black curls overshadowed
by 4 coarse old straw hat, working away as if
for dear life. His back was toward the door,
aud supposing the step 10 be that of his sister