The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-04-26
CHAksEIN the HOUSEHOLD.
ny KATE CANE Ron.


suit Issac Parsons" muttered the afore-
mentioned individuals better half, as she
sat in corner o: the farm Kitchen, rapidly
dvesting chicken Of its feathers; 1--we
worked and shaved myself to death for him
his'n, and all the thanks I've had for the
last fifteen years has been short " ords and
general growing, and fault finding, until
now. I'm just determined to stand out
and have my own way. or let things have
their own course. and he'll find after all,
Melissa Talcott has got some spirit 10 her
that can't be crushed out with all his abusin'
and aggrevation %
ITO think he should have the heart to
refuse me new carpet after he had such
good luck with his wheat crop. and just
shaved myself through harvesting, and got
along with one girl -
"The more a man gets. the stingier he
grows, aud there isn't a woman among all
my acquaintsnces that would stand such
treatment and l won't. I'll put my foot
down from this moment" setting down most
emphatically that solid member of her come
ly person on The kitchen floor; "If Isaac
Parsons won't come to terms, Ill quit him
that's al =
1t was still. serene morning in the ear
ly autumn. The kitchen windows were
opeu, and through them came, like golden
wings. the sunshine to iinger and laugh on
the white kitchen floor. aud fash along the
ceiling, and brighten everything into pic
turesdue beauty in that old farmhouse kitch.
en-. The son., Of birds in their nests among
the old bell pear trees. came along through
the windows in sweet eddies and jsts of mu
sic, and SO did all those ripe spicy scents
which belong to autumn. and which always
whisper OF the tropics, with their still state
ly spletdor, their groves OF balm; and for
ests olorous with gums. and beautiful with
al strange and gorgeous blooms.
Bat better than all this. that autumn
morning was one to brim the heart with
gratitude and love to God, the giver of per
feet beauty, to calm the human soul into
peace, and trust in the wisdom and love
which had ordained that day a high priest
TO man, ald its robe was like the robe Of
Aron's cphod, all of blue, and It's crown was
she early winds ringing to and fro in the
still air. and on the forehead Of the morn
ing was written, 50 tha. all might read
"All his works do praise Him."
Ba, Mrs. Mslissa Parsons heard and saw
none of these things. Down among the
fogs and darkness of her own narrow fret
full cares and apxi-,ies, she walked with
wrapped vision aud angry thoughts. which
settled and flushed into rebellion aud hatred.
For her there vas no beauty in that autumn
day, no token of Gods love and care for
man i'm lis fair face-no voices calling her
to prayer and praise in the whisper of the
winds or the song OF the birds.
Mrs. Melissa Parsons had been q remark
able pretty girl in her youth. aud thirty
seven years had made her fair and comely
woman.
Her husband was a somewhat phlegmat-
ic man, stubborn and opiniona,ed. and as
his early life and social atmosphere had not
enlarged or softened his character. the
hardes, and most dissgreeable part Of it ex-
panded With his years. He loved money.
and as the Rstheti. part of his nature had
never been cultivated. he regarded it as
wastefulness and extravaganza to indulge in
much grace or beauty of surroundings.
Still. there was another side OF the man;
his affections were deep and tender. and q
judicious aud loving woman could have
reached him to almost any degree through
these. But Mrs Parson never understood
her husband. She was an Impulsive. high
spirited. and really warm hearted woman.
with good deal Of petty social ambition.
and she and her husband were constantly
jarring each other.
| His obs,inacy always intlsmed her anger
while her imperions temper only hardened
him into fresh siubbornness, and SO the cur
rent of their lives ran most unharmoniouSly.
nnd was constantly interrupted by jars and
chickering's. and angry alterations. Tha,
once fair and precious lily of tenderness
whose grace and beauty had filled her
youth with fragrance. cas-: its leaves. and
at last, only its root was left; and what
dews or sunshine could nourish il in q soil
that grew more barren year by year--a soil
overgrown with thistles, and rank noisome
weeds
Yet, all these wears, the barns and store
houses. the land and gold of Isaac Parson:
; increased and God sent children two boys
and a girl to soften The hearts Of the father
and mother. and be TO them angels of new
covenant of household peace and tender
| ness. Bat. alas the sweet faces and all the
beautiful minis,rstions OF childhood never
acc )m pli>hed their mission: and with heart.
and tenp.rs soured and fretted and worn
Mr.. snd Mrs. Parsons counted three year
growing over taern. and both felt that thei
marriage had been mistake and misery
and with blind eyes tina. would not see, ant
hard hearts that. would not understand d
each blamed the other, and mutual recri.n
inaiion only produced fresh bitterness.
A, last a crisis came. Mrs. Parsons ha;
set her heart that autumn on q new par,o
carpet. which was in no wise unreasonable
aed in winch her husband ought TO Lay
INDUCED her; but the manner Ut he. reques
which was IN reality a COMMAND
once reused the Inherent stubbornnsss o
tee man, and be fatty refused her. The
followed passionate words and angry re,ort
till the husband and wits separated Wit
mutual bitterness and rage.
But as Mrs. Parsons took up her denu
chi:ken. and planged il into q pan OF be
water, her eyes glanced on the weekly pa
per. which lay on The table. and they Sc,
tied on this passage. which completed
short sketch.
"Who. when he vas reviled. reviled nc
again. but committed his cause to Him tn,
.judge;h righieously."
And these words stole. in . sill, rsbuk
ing voice. through the stormy soul OF Mr.