The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-05-28
"Certainly not" replied his wife, quiet

WHeu ucr ioi6c iViu was iohV 0quPP0ui
Mrs. James returned to her room again.
About half an hour remained to her, Of
which she was determined to make the
most. Once more she was in her place, and
found her pen dipped in the ink, when
there was another disturbance in the entry.
Amy had returned with the baby from his
walk. She took him into the nursery to
get him asleep. Now, the only room in
the house where Mrs. James conld have
fire to herself was the room adjoining the
nursery. The ordinary noise Of the chill
dren did not disturb her but the very ex-
traordinary one which Master Charley felt
called upon to make, when be was fully up
on his back in the cradle, was rather more
than could be borne by most mothers, with
out seriously disturbing the train of their
thoughts. Mrs. James close her book until
the storm should be overpast. Soon after
quiet was restored, the children came in
from sliding, crying, with cold fingers.
Just:as the dinner bell rang Mr. James closed
her boek in despair.
"How did you succeed with your studies
this morning ~ inquired Mr.. James.
"f am sure I did not hinder yon
long.
"No; yours was only one Of dozen in
terruptions."
"Oh, we'll; you must not be discouraged.
You cannot expect to succeed the first time.
Persist in it until the family learn, that if
they want anything Of you, they must come
at some other time !,
The second day of trial happened to be
dark, Bridget oversight herself, and break
fast was an hour later. This last hour Mrs.
James could not recover. Eleven o'clock
came, and her morning work was but half
done. With a mild disturbed and depress-
ed, she left things in the suds as they were,
and retired punctualy to her study. She
found, however, that it was impossible to
fix her attention upon anything which re-
quired thought. Neglected duties haunted
her as ghosts do guilty consciences. Find
ing she was really doing nothing with her
books, and wishingnot to lose the morning
wholly. she commenced letter. Bridget
came to her door before she had written
half a page.
....What shall we have for dinner ma am
There amt no marketing come, and you did
MT tou mn vrbot "a rxo<
"Have some steaks"
"We han't got any"
'.Well, will send out for some."
Now there was no one to send but Amy,
and Mrs. James knew it. With sigh she
put away her letter, and went into the nur-
sery.
"Amy, Mr.. James has forgotten the mar
keting. wish you woule run over TO the
provision srore and dorder some beef-steaks.
l will stay with baby"
Amy was none too well pleased to be sent
on this errand. she remarked "that she
must first change her dress"
"Be as quick as possible, then" said Mrs.
James, " for I am particularly engaged this
morning"
Amy neither obeyed nor disobeyed, but
managed to take her own time in reality
though without any direct determination to
do so. Mrs. James, thinking she might get
along sentence or two in the nersery,
took the German book in, but to this ar
rangement Charley would by no means con
sent. Mamma must show him the kittens
in the book-whether there or not it was
all one to him, but amused he must be.
half her second days time Of trial was gone
when Amy came in, and, with sigh, Mrs.
James returned to her room. Before one
o'clock she had been called down to the
kitchen twice on some important business
relating to the dinner, and for this day not
one entire page of letter had been writ
ten.
On the third morning she rose early,
made every provision for the diner, and for
the comfort Of the family, which she deemed
necessary, and elated with success, good
spirits and good courage, she entered her
study precisely at eleven o'clock. Now she
was to have fine time of it. Her books
we're opened, and hard lesson summoned
10 the conflict. Scarcsly Tad she read .
ine when she heard tie door bell ring.
Somebody wishes to see you in the par
or, Mrs. James,"
"Tell them am engaged, Bridget
II told them you were at home, ma'am,
md they gave me their names, but did
net exactly understand.
Mrs James was obliged to go; to smile
when she felt sober, to be social when her !
thoughts were elsewhere. Her friends,
however, seemed to 6nd her agreeable, for
hey made long call, and when they rose
% 60 others came. Soin the most unsatis-
factory chit chat all this morning went
On the next day Mr.. James invited COM
pany to tea, and Mrs. James was obliged to
give up the morning to prepare for 1t, and
did not enter her study. On the next day
she was obliged to keep her bed
with sick headache, and on Saturday, Amy
having extra work to do, the charge Of the
baby dsvolved Jppop her, Thus passed the
lirst week. -
True to her promise, Mrs. James patient |
y persevered for month in her efforts to
secure to herself this fragment Of Der brok-
en- time, with what success the weeks his
tory can tell. With its close closed the