Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-05-15

darling of the flock, who had been with
us Just year. Mother kissed the little
one oh, so fondly looked around again
upon MS all, whispered last good bye,
then her eyes closed. We heard her say.
JESUS come and in another moment
she was gone / recalled the sad scene
over and over again. The old fashioned
clock in the dining room pealed out the
departing hours. Twelve, then one
o-three--four--an five still lay
thinking and weeping, until ] heard the
breakfast bell, | attempted to rise, but
found myself sick and faint. Cousin
Matilda came up to my room to inquire
after me. She was alarmed at my APP
pearance knew she would tell father
that | seemed very i'll. But during the
long, long day that ! lay there with my
terrible headache, father did not come to
me. Before, whom | had been sick, he
bathed my head, and read to me, and
cared for me like nder mother. This
thought made me feel more bitter against
the woman lie had said he should marry.
so soon,' said | to myself, "shc has
come between father and his children"
repeated the old couplet
"a mothers mother all the days Of her life
A fathers her till h, finds a new wife =
And made stronger resolves than ev-
ever to make the new wle'S position as
comrortless as possible. | shuddor now
to think how | hated her, determining be-
fore | saw her never to regard her with
any Kindness. Next day ! went down
stairs. Father looked sad. He seemed
very cold toward nc. That miserable
woman !Hl thought again, and my ha-
tired grew. A few days alterward father
had a private conference with Cousin
Matilda. guessed what it was about.
When he was gone, she said to me: 'Ag-
nes, am very glad your father is going
to marry. | told him three months ago
that | must leave him, for with my pool
, health | am totally unfit to manage the
children, and the care Of housekeeping is
too great burden for me. have heard
Of Mrs. Granger before, and think youl
father has made very wise selection
"n you please, cousin Matilda, We
will not talk alb out it. In the first place,
D cannot bear the thought Of your leaving
- us. 1t will bring all the old lonelines.
. back again and you have lecn very
kind. Then besides | cannot be please,
with fathers marrying. So dear cousi
q lets not speak Of it again"
T After this everything seemed to go o
n as usual. | could not see any change i
n fathers manner toward me- but | fcl
II that he had grown stern. In about tw
| months he made another journey. Afte
v he had gone, cousin Matilda seemed t
q forget her invalid habits, aud commence
n house cleaning from cellar to garret.
The first day | looked on while she su
II pcrintended, and Biddy and Mrs. O'Rei
: ley done the work Next morning sh
i was sick from over eXertion. CHOW tina
!. dear good woman will worry all da
about this house cleaning" | said to my
ID self. Il might oversee it and relieve he
=. But | am not going to assist IN the'
70 preparations" Then another though
N no better in itself, but bringing abor
nc better practical results, suggested itseI
She shall not have it to say, as Mrs. Pc
= body does, they were in most dolei
Is condition here when ] arrived. Ever,
m thing was arranged according to the al
rn proved method of the representatives
|, the Emerald Isle"
10 "No Mrs Barton (she and her wei
m beginning to be the common appellatiol
a with which designated her) should fin
Is that we were Just as comfortable and ju
as stylish here without her presence
to we should be with it," With this ne
idea | set to work, and Mrs. O'Reiley al
no Biddy found a more energetic overse
nI than Matilda had been. Such a taking |
TO and putting down and cleaning of ca
,e- pets such washing OF paint and WI
he dows such polishing and le-arrranGll
,es of furniture as we accomplished aStoniS
| ed even ourselves. Every household q
u. nament was brought to light, and tri
nv here and there until Just the right pal
- for it was at length found,
tie This was my first experience in
we actual work OF houso-cleaning. Hlther
M | had been locker on but now real
: enthusiastic, entered wholly into t
ish spirit of it. There was not nook,
er. corner, or cupboard, or closet, or draw,
nd or box from the attic to the coal cell
tite that did not undergo thorough rcnov
,ut ton. All completed, Mrs. O 'Roilcy W
ow dismissed, saying with her adieus,
IN don't see why Mr.. Barton should VIZ
ear to marry when he has such jewel OF
ing house misthress as the young lady is,
= be sure" Cousin Matilda took mo
;, | erly pride in my performances, and
of marked to occasional callers, that !
the thought there were but few girls of S
teen who had so good executive ablI
the as |. The baking was to be done
Law Cousin was not able to be in the kltch
for but she gave me full instructions, an(
ken was as as proud as Biddy of the pas
,th. our oven turned out. Everything '
all lust ready on the day when father wa,
ght bring home his bride, Two hours bel
he'd their arrival went to my room, tell
.lter cousin Matilda she might make whatC
, a apology for me she chose, as Sho
Ich, not be down stairs again that night
The children had all been coaXed
long maps that afternoon, and sat n
eager anticipation of the arrival Ii
lied Rosas mourning dress had been repli
e.. by pink one, the bright colors OF vi
few seemed to afford her great delight.
lips l heard the carriage when it came
heard the Joyous eXclamations OF
owed children. and fathers happy, old fash