Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-18
The lDaughter.in.Law.

Mrs. Tompkins's parlors were apple-pie
order-not a speck of dust on the shining
piano, not stray shred on the velvet carpet,
not an atom of ashes under the well-flled
CRATE For Mrs Tompkins was one of those
thrifty souls who keep up appearance in spite
of everything, and delight in handsomely
furnished parlors, while the kitchen is stinted
to the very closest degree of parsimony.
She was flying about, shaking out chair
covers, and arranging the little china orna-
ments on the mantle, in a manner that beto-
kened considerable amount of inward dis
turbanees There was jerk to her elbow
and toss of her head, which foreboded woe
to somebody or other.
Il am clear out of patience~ calculated
Mrs. Tompkins at last IL don't believe there
ever YVES poor mortal half so badgered as l
am with poor relationsl Why couldn't Harry
have married rich wife, while he was about
it, instead of Mary Glenn; who wasn't worth
red cent-only governess at that? And
now the poor dear boy is dead and gone, and
left his doll-baby of wife on my hands. l
declare it's enough to make a woman crazy.
Don't see why l should be obliged to support
her because she happened to be my sons
wife Why can't she go to work and do
something? Too much of a fine lady, 'spose,
with her white hands and long curls, and pink
and white cheeks. Never brought up to do
any chores about the house-can't wash dishes,
nor make biscuit, dor do anything useful.
am tired of this sort of business"
And Just as Mrs. Tompkins made this en-
phatic assertion, the door softly swung open,
and delicate girl of scarcely more than
eighteen summers, glided in. Her deep
mourning dress gave additional fairness to a
complexion that was like snowy wax, shadowed
with the soltest rose-tint on the cheek and
lips, and the timid, fluttering glances of her
dark eye indicated her position dependent.
''Can l assist you about arranging the par
lors, Mrs Tompkins?" she faltered, as if un-
certain how her offer might chance to be re-
ceived.
"No, Mrs. Tompkins, Junior, you can't"
said the old lady, with toss of her cap bor-
der. Il couldn't think of allowing such a
fine lady to soil her white fingers about my
work. Then you needn't 90 to crying-I
don't believe in people that have such tender
feelings
Il did not intend to cry" murmured poor
Mary i" but, indeed, could not help it,
Il tell YOU what it is, Mrs. Tompkins Ju-
NOR said the old lady, wrathfully, "we may
as well come TO an understanding first as last.
Zephaniah and me amt rich-and we've a
I big family Of our own, and that poor, dear
Henry, our elder boy, has been dead and gone
year" Here Mrs. Tompkins mechanically
pulled out red bordered ocket-handkerchiet,
and made random dab at her ewes. Il don't
see that YOU have any particular claims on us!
So you'd better look out for situation as
governess, or to do some plain sewing, as soon
as YOU can, for TO speak my mind, you've been
spongin' on us about long enough"
Mrs Tompkins stopped, with her mouth
shut together like a steel trap. Her daughter
in-law had grown very pale.
And while am about it." continued the
old lady, Il may as well say that Hetty don't
like il because YOU insist on stayin in the parlor
every time Colonel Redcliffe calls. He's worth
a cool half million, Zephaniah says, and if our
Hetty makes catch of him, why the family
fortunes as good as made. OF course, when
lIetty is Mrs. Col. Redcliffe, YOU won't expect
her TO notice YOU much-she may give You
some sewin' 10 do once in a while, but-my
gracious there's bis carriage at the door this
minute. And he was here only yesterday
Biddy. run up and tell Miss Hetty TO put on
her pink dress, and take her curls out of the
papers Colonel Redcliffe's at the door. You
can SIT In the kitchen while he's here, MARY,
and peel the potatoes for dinner. if ii isn't too
common work for their lily fingers, Hetty
don't want YOU pryin' round when her beau ;
herei Run quick"
And as Mrs Tompkins Junior disappeared,
Mrs. Tompkins Senior opened the door with
simpering smile.
Dear me, Colonel Redclifie. who'd have
thought of seeing you? DO walk in-we're
highly honored, Pm sure"
Colonel Redcliffe was a tall, elegant look
ing man. whose wealth and station in society
fully warranted the calm dignity with which
he bowed TO Mrs. Tompkins's adulaton.
Take seat on the sofa, Colonel" chattered
Mrs. Tompkins Won't you SIT little nearer
the fire Not cold, eh? Well. IT amt SC
freezing ike il was Yesterday, to be sure.