The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-07-17
MRS. DIR. JOHNS STORY.

MRS. DIR. JOHNS STORY.
| was tired, worried and verheated.-Cross,
as natural consequence, and, of course, it was
just then Dr. John took it into his head to come
into the kitchen, although he had been to the
house for five consecutive days to see ais patient,
as | knew, without once inquring for me-
The knowledge of this only deepened my vexa-
ton, and darkened the frown on my brow.
dropped the sheet was wringing out of
| the hot suds, and set him a chair.
Good morning. he said, pleasantly ;'anything
new the matter?'
NO. answered, shortly: 'Why do you
askP
Il thought saw a new wrinkle in your face,
he replied, smiling.
'Oh it isn't new troubles that bring them,
so much as it Is the old worries over and often
| repeated. Besides, Pm growing old
then went back to my washing
| In spite of the sigh which unconsciously
accompanied my last remark, my tones repelled
sympathy, and so the doctor understood it, for,
taking daily paper from his pocket, he leaned
back in his chair and read, or pretended to.
After watching him little from the corners OF
my eyes, was satisfied it was mere pretence;
and as | finished the last article, l said, with
out preface
Dr. John, am sorry / didn't take yonl
advice
about the millinery interestiF he asked
without raising his eyes, for he was man OF
infinite TACT Or rather discretion.
yes said, weary; I'm a perfect slave
here!'
lit is best Tor any one, woman especially,
to consider candidly before she gives up one sit
uation for another, whether she is really about
to benefit herself You made as great sacri
flee of your freedom, selling ont your millinery
stocl, and coming to live here, as you would
have done had you married a perfect tyrant
| A sunset flush passed over his face.
busted myself abou. the basket. l wondered
if had been right--if he really did know Of
the offer had rejected when made the dispo-
sal and sacrifice, as he termed it. All! he
| little knew how true it was.
| yes said, 'my life in my establishment
was freedom compared with this drudgery. |
liked my work--I was strong and healthy
Now my waist is spanable almost with my two
hands, and see how thin my arm is! Don't
look like washing?'
81 leard the sound of the treadmill,' he said
| indicating the washboard with nod have
listened to your weary footsteps day after day
and pitied you without seeing how could heE
at least, in any way that you would consent
to-
Unmistakabe commiseration of my desolatt
| condition rested in the glance OF his kind eyes
| on me- Soft pity smoothed out the lines IL
his face The kind true man! How had
| misjudged him!
4 will consent to anything you can propose
anything you think fit and proper said |, with
| n sudden return to the old time trust in DIR.
John, sif you will wait till l hang up these
clothes.'
Let Mrs. Myson hang up her own clothes,
he said, Indignantly. You were up all night
| watching, weren't you? Wasn't that enough
without putting you to washing this morning
| Sit down and listen to me-
wiped my hands and sat down, waiting pa
tiently one, two, three minutes but still the
doctor was silent. He twisted his watch chain
into an incomprehensible knot, and then set him
self slowly and deliberately to undo it. And
when this vancouver was executed, he looked
at his watch and compared 1t with the gossping
| little clock on the mantle.
AFTER all, don't know he said, looking
| up, sbut it might be as well for yon to hang up
| the clothes. 1t isn't as late as l thought--only
half-past eight. You have been expeditions in
spite of your weariness.'
took up the basket sadly, and went out.
No., said, energetically, 1T is impossible to
suggest anything that will alleviate my forlorn
condition.
My hopes, excited for an instant, fell into
| Arctic water, and froze Immediately. l could
not work very fast, was so utterly wretched,
so it was some time before l returned to the
house. There found the doctor had set all
the chairs in order, stiff and angular against the
wall, and was just commencing operations with
the broom.
4 thought would help you,' he said, in an
swer to my surprised exclamation. Part of
my project consists in your leaving this place
Immediately, and knew every thing would
have to be arranged in perfect order before you
would consent to this necessary and initiatory
STEP
Leave this place J
Where was it to go? To the poorhouse !!
My amazed look asked and obtained partial
answer.
You are to go to see q patient of mine