The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-05-22
MISCELLANEOUS.

September days. The veil Of blue haze
hanging like canopy over the distant hills,
seemed absolutely to quiver in the radient
glow Of autumn sunshine, and the grapes,
whose amesthystine clusters blushed
through the trellis Of clinging leaves grew
deeper in color an1 more bloomy, as if they
had stolen the imperial dye Of thousand
purple sunsets and brilliant dawns, as the
sun mounted higher in the cloudlcss dome
of heaven. No frescoed ceiling hung with
jewrled pendants was yer more beautiful
than this arbor of the grape leaves, where
the light and shadow mingled in fitful
arabcsque with every moving wind-and so
thought Richard Mayficd, as he came slow.
ly up the garden path that led to his broth.
er's house.
The mansion itself, however, was far
from presenting the gala aspect which per.
vaded all nature, and our hero's counten.
ance underwent ludicrous transforma ion,
as he eyed the yawning windows and wide
open doors.
''By all the powers T. he said to himself.
"If Isabel isn't cleaning house again l.
Well, women are most unaccountoble crea-
lures! lido believe they delight in turning
things upside down, and making them
selves and the rest of the world uncomfort.
able. What's the use of choking people
with dust, and deluging 'em with soap and
water twice = year? However, let the
dear little cnigmas have their own way
I'm sure am the last person in the world
to object"
With those philosophical reflections yet
in his mind, Mr.. Mayield deftly threaded
his way through 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 greeted his appear
ance, that he was general favoritc.
"Hallo, Uncle Dick /; we'erc cleaning
house - cried Master Henry Augustus
Mayfield, who was mounted astridc Of a
doubled up feather bed, castigating it fear.
fully with his mothers hest silk parasol.
"Ain't it splendid Uncle Dick ?" exclaim.
ed Miss Julia, who was endeavoring to ''pry
OUT the principle Of sound from a thirty
dollar music box, b. introducing carving
knife into its interior works, while Mrs.
! Mayfield, half distracted by calls from div
crs directions, was totally unconscious Of
mischief being wrought.
DShS L NIu 81 YuLLiSu
she said. "Hcre is John called to the city
by pressing lawsuit, and the whole house
upside DOWN.
Thought that was what you ladies lik
cd" said Dick, perching himself upon the
top Of the dining table, and rescuing shell
basket from the destructive grasp Of the
smallest Mayfield Of all.
And my cook has gone, and the fire
won't burn, and the wall whteners havn't
come this morning, and the parlor ceiling
is half unfinished, and you know, the sew,
ting society is to be here tomorrow night
and, o Dick, what shall l dny
Don't fretr said Richard, soothingly
I'm make the fire burn, or III know tht
reason why; and Ill finish the ceiling 70,
YOU
You!
YES, I. Didn't whiten my own room
at college, when We boys smoked it into tn,
color Of an old snuff: box. And then II
tack the carpet down and sec about putin,
those dislocated bciSteads together"
But Dick, you must be too tired, afte1
dancing till twelve o'clock at the pic-ni'
last night
Me tired! Fiddlestick! Where's tn
refractory stove!
The very fire was not proof against Dick
sunny determination. 1t broke into
cheerful blaze the moment he attacked tn
citadel, and Isabel's face frightened stimuli
taneouSly. The skill with which he mex
erected scaffolding and mounted thereon
with panoply of white-wash pals ane
brushes, was perfectly astounding, tn,
more so, as his slender figure, rather pail
complexion, aristocratically small feet ant
hands, conveyed the idea Of one who wa.
adapted only to Broadway pavements ant
glittering ball rooms.
Il suppose the workmcn didn't leav'
their wardrobcs, when they went away las
evening, Belly he asked, when he hat
scaled the rather pvrilous height.
No. said his sister in-law, laughing.
Then just hand up that old shret-and ,
piece Of bed cord yondcr. Now, don't yol
admire my tout snsemble?'
Uncle Dick looks like . ghost sale
Master Henry Augustus.
No, he d0n't-he looks like the old mil
Ter down at tho pond,' struck in Miss Julia
Upon my word, don't know which !.
the most complimentary observed Richare
drily. Now then clear the track. ever,
soul Of you, and give me chance!'
And he worked on, now pausing to sur
vey his achievements, but Ottencst Of all
relapsing into thoughts of the beautiful
young damscl at the picnic last night wht
had been SO studiously cold and reserved
toward him. ......-.
She won't like me- thought he, and
can't for the life Of me tell why. Well, a
| said before, women are HnaooOuntabl'
concerns!
Amy said Miss Brownleigh to her pref
ty young cousin. l wish you would jus
run over to Mrs. Mayfield's with this note
The children are at school, and have n.
one to sc nd
%, no. said Amy, while q fresh ting