Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-09-28

IL would be idle to say that attended
very closely to business the next forenoon -
The housekeeper fever, the home longing had
taken full possession OF me. must confess
besides, to 20 small amount nf curiosity us To
the personal appearance Of NJ. l. Smith.
| wanted sD agreeable houspkpeper Not too
young-that wouldn't look well-no wriukled
crone TO sit opposite me at my board, but
pleasant, cheerful woman, young enough to
make my home lively.
1t was about IL o'clock when my Young
man waited upon the lady 10 My previ"ns
favorable impressions we're fully confirmed
by her appearance. ! did not think her
handsome, certainly in the style of sisier-n.
law. She was a small woman, LIGHT footed
aud slender, with sunny pleasant face, which
might have testified TO thirty five summers,
but no winters. surely; or il she had met
storm or chill. she had borne them with such
brave patience, that her face reflected only
the sunshine. Her brown hair WAS put
! simply and smoothly away from Der tranquil
lace. Her eyes were fronk and cheerful
Her mouth not small, bnt winning and
smiling, when she spoke her low pleasant
tones endorsed the expression OF her counte-
EaDce.
"Mr. Bishop. ! beieve-tbe gentleman
who wrote this letter"
Aud she drew the epstle from her pocket.
"The same, madam"
81 came. sir, to say that ! would accept
your proposition, if you still wish it, now that
we have met"
was about 20 say that wished it more
than ever. since I had seen her, but fortu.
Dately recollected, 10 time, that compliments
to my housekeeper were no proper part OF
the programme and very decorously concluded
pr.Ot
business manner.
The next week she entered upon her duties.
| had never known what it was TO be so
comfortable. My house was model OF con.
venience and simple elegauce-at least my
sister-in law. when she went over it previous
TO Mrs. Smiths commencement, pronounced
it perfect. ] had a sort of home feeling that
had never known before; room enough for
all my possessions a place to welcome
friends to; very agreeable companion in
my honsekepper when | choose to talk to
her 40 unobtrus!ve minister TO my comfort
when was silent.
! True. Mrs. Bishop fonnd, whenever she
bopored me with u visit, that something or
other was not ordered as she had managed il
in poor, dear Roberts time. "Housekeepers,
even the best of them" she was wont to
remark, "reqnire a little looking after They
can't be expected to take so much interest in
ones affairs as ones own relations" Her
comments did not give no much uneasiness
however
went home one day little earler thon
usual. thought quiet chat with my
bousekeeper. over the dlning room fire, would
not be unpleasant. had begun already to
take more interest in her than was prepared
to acknowledge myself | pictured, AS
buried home, the cheerful room. the table
handsomely laid, and Mrs Smith. in her neat,
quiet dress, sitting by the fire, with book or
work. waiting for the dinner to be brought
up. AS reached my own door, however. |
found it open, and three children of var ing
ages taking q most ailecionate farewell OF
my hou.ekeeper. had never cared enough
for any one before 10 experience such an
emotion as Jealousy, but ! think no other
word adequately described my feelings as |
walked into the paror and shut the door
Presently Mrs Smith made her appearance
81 am very sorry"
"Not at ALL madam"
"Oh but am. ! remember your stipua
ton about the children perfectly. surely
did not intend they should annoy you.
presumed you would have no objections tc
their coming sometimes in your absence. aut
like to see them as often as can but they
are likely to come home"
She must have thought me an ungraciout
boor. for grOwled ont, merely
mo matter-nO matter at all"
! was 10 al i'll humor The pleasant an
ticpaiions with which ! had hurried home
, had not been realized. Moreover, ! suspec
ted was becoming too much interested il
, my housekeeper to like to 5e reminded tha
/ Others had stronger claims upon her THAI
evening sat upon one side of the bright fir
r and NJ Mrs. Smith on the other. ] abhor nrna
/ ces-it is one Of my ~bims loved, when
! was boy, to make pictures in the IRE, an'
J., the habit aud have grown old together
b, We had sat silently for some time. ] wa
watching. in two emsers, Two little boat
r sailing on lovingly, side by side. AT lengt
t ] asked abruptly:
What was Mr. Smiths business, madam
n "a merchant. II was in dry goods iirT
3 and able TO give us every luxury until b
failed"
: So that was it. He had failed, and dice
and left her oil those children IN support.
b. looked into the fire again. The boats ha
drilted far apart. aud were sailing down
v fame, colored river
" ''He on the one sIde-she on the othern
# | unused on. half sorrowfully, until q
iehetu eulu, spedhInS uuSOusSious'y, "
e loud
perhaps ! could have stood the childre
II if it wern't for thinking that she had love
IS somebody else. She'd been looking back a
y the time and comparing me TO No. l."
"Sir 7"
1f "My voice had attracted Mrs. Smiths a
7 tenlion FROM her book, but she had evident
B. not understood what | had said, and WI
S, looking up iuquringly Thank fortune f
that, and laughed little ncrvously, i'm
s gine.
;e "No,hing. ] was not speaking to you
In fact think was talking in my sleep"
TO She looked down again, aud watched b
~ Instead Of the fire. She was pretty-pretti
~ than had given ber credit for at first.
u thought. too, she might be younger th'
ir thirty, as surveyed her row. There was
delicate peach blossom color on her cheek
~ innocent almost grhsh expression on b
er face. Well, cheek and expression We
lis nothing to ue. got up and went discons
Mt lately TO bed.
er The next day my sister in law came to 8
re me. AS usual she had plenty Of suggeslio
ng to make to Mrs. Smith, which that la
es received in silence, but with pecnl
ch twinkle 10 ber eyes. At length Mrs. Bish