The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-07-23
COIRTSHIP And CLEANING HOUSE.

1t was the most golden and glorious
of September days. The veil of blue
haze hanging like a canopy over the dis
tant hills, seemed absolutely to culver
in the radiant glow OF autumn sunshine,
and the grapes, whose amelhystine clus-
ters blushed through the lrilies of cling
ing leaves grew deeper in color and more
bloomy. as if they had stolen the imper-
ial dye of a thousand purple sunsets and
brilliant dawns, as the sun mounted high.
er IN the loudless dome of heaven. No
frescoed ceiling hung with jeweed pen
dants was ever more beautiful than this
arbor of the grape leaves, where the
light and shadow mingled in fitful ara
besque with every moving wlnd-and
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
pelvaded all nature, and our heros coun-
tenance underwent a ludicriou5 trans.
formation. as he eyed the yawning win
Iows and wide open doors.
BY all the powers !" lie said to him
self. If Isabel isn't cleaning house
again , Well, women are most unac
countable creatures do believe they
delight in turning things upside down,
aud making themselves and the rest Of
he world uncomfortable. What's the
use OF choking people with dust, and de
luging 'em with soap and water twice Il
year However, let the dear little en-
igmas have their own way. I'm sure |
am the last person in the world 10 oh
lect.'
With those philosophical reflections in
his mind, Mr.. Mayfeld deflly threaded
his way through a colony of white wash
pals and lime kettles that surrounded
the front door, and entered upon the
scene of action. 1t was quite plain, from
The shout with which the children greet.
ed his appearance, that he was general
favorle.
Z" Hello, Uncle Dick we're cleaning
house J" cried Master Henry Augustus
Mayheld, who was mounted astride of a
doubled up feather bed, castigating it
fearlully with his mothers best silk par.
asol,
Amt it splendid, Uncle Dick ?" ex.
claimed Miss Julia, who was endeavor-
ing 10 "pry out" the principle of sound
from thirty dollar music box, by intro,
ducins carving knife into its interior
works while Mrs. May field, half distract
ed by calls from divers directions, was
totally unconscious Of any mischief be-
ing wrought.
Dick. am SO puzzled aud annoy
ed" she said. Here is John called to
the city by pressing law suit, and the
whole house upside down -
Thought that was what you ladies
liked" said Dick, perching himself up.
on the top Of the dining table, and res
cuing a she'll basket from the destructive
grasp of the smallest May field of all.
And my cook is gone, and the fire
won't burn, and the wall whiteners
haven't come this morning, and the par.
lor ceiling is half unfinished, and you
know the sewing society is to be here to,
morrow highland, o Dick | don /
know what 10 do 2"
=" Don't fret u said Richard, soothing
| ly, " III make the fire burn. or III know
The reason why /, and I'll finish the cell.
ing for YOU
You -
" Yes, |. Didn't | whiten my own
room 6t college. when we boys smoked
il into the color of an old snuff. box
Aud then I'll tack the carpet down and
see about putting those disocated bed
steads together"
. But Dick, you must be too tired, af-
ter dancing till twelve o'clock at the pic.
mic last night"
. Me tired ? Fiddlesticks Where
the refractory stove -
The very fire was not proof against
Dicks snnny determination Ii broke
into a cheerful blaze the moment he at.
tackled the citadel, and lsabel's face
Frightened simultaneously. The skill
with which he next erected scatfold-
ing aud mounted thereon, with pano-
ply Of whitewash pals and brushes, was
perfectly astounding, the more so, as his
slender figure, rather pale complexion
aristocralically small feet aud hands, con
yeyed the idea of one who was adapted
only to Broadway pavements and gilt
tering ball rooms.
Il suppose the workmen didn't leav,
their wardrobcs when they went ava,