Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-18

there is the comfort of having things done
right and as you want them"
"Well, then" said Helen it's the very
hardest way of taking comfort"
Margaretta's countenance changed and
the sister felt that she had said too much.
1t was foolish, for extra neatness, she was
we'll aware, is a vice as ineradicable as or
iginal sin, yet she was greatly tempted to
go on and state her full conviction that the
housekeeping is best which confers most
happiness that the dreary days when the
mother of family is i'll go far to counter
balance whatever bliss may lie in spotlcss
floors and windows that no slavery to
ones houses, justifes the misery both for
the man and woman of it. She could have
set forth her views with great distinctness
and some eloquence. That she restrained
the rising flow of words is circumstance
considerably in her favor.
81 don't suppose we shall ever think
alike on this subject, DEAR" she said, hast
ening to make atonement, 'any more
than | expect my housekeeping will come
up to yours George and | always agree
when we take tea with you that no one has
such rooms or such table They are
| pdLtClu iOl anu VIC dlC Onl Dull
that your strength is not equal to your
spirit"
Margaretta's brow cleared, her displeas-
ure was appeased Helen had been her
Mordecai she had always withstood her.
She, Margaretta, had always felt that Hell
ems thoughts were not like her thoughts :;
that Helen's great object in life was diff
erent one from hers She had painful sus-
| 41,+ l.. i
gifts held in light esteem. 1t appeared that
her sister-in-law knew her claims, at all
events, and that humble statement of infe-
riority, in which she concurred with her
whole heart, though her lips were mute, was
a grateful tribute. No one has things at
all like mine !" she thought Well, | am
glad she can see it at any rate"
She had occasion to feel its truth more
than once that summer Mr. Henry came
IN one day, quite jOvial.
Great news Margaretta !" he said
You must do your best The Mowbrays
are coming next week. George has just
had a letter"
The Mowbrays Next week " she re-
peated, and her face was not indicative of
delight. Mr.. Henry was disappointed.
thought you would be pleased" )" he
said, with some feeling. Mrs Mowbray
was like mother to George and me, and
1t would be most ungrateful if aUe were not
glad to see her, at least As she is a stran-
ger to you | suppose you owe her nothing"
Pm sure feel most kindly, John |
want to show her every attention But I'll
tell you why looked perplexed just see
this pile of sewing Johnny's waists and
pants, and Emma's rufled muslin and her
Swiss Garibaldi to tuck | calculated that
! by steady work could just finish by the
end of next week, and you took me by sur
prise, that's ALL" Not another word did
she say of the CONSERVATION that filled her
! spirit she saw that she had already deep
| ly slnned in receiving the information with
such coldness. Mr. Henry was quite in
clmed to be severe he remembered what
hosts of company they used to have in his
early home, what fine thing it was con-
| sidered when whole tribe of cousins made
descent at once How easily everything
went on, and his mother was never in the
least put out, if ever so busy. But then,
as bis wife had often given him to under
stand, that good mother was by no means
shining light in housekeeping and her
health, too, was so excellent. Poor Mar
garetta what a spirit she had, how much
she accomplished, though she was never
really well. Many a woman would hold
herself excused from all exertion, if so fee
bic. But look at her house and see if she
ever claimed indulgence for herself 1t
was wonderful.
Meanwhile Margaretta fairly trembled
as she thought of the approaching guests.
The Mowbrays, living in one of the best
places in Madison Avenue the Mowbrays |
rich as Jews, with plate and servants, and |
every appliance that money could command |
coming to visit her with her one girl, and |
her plain, rustic house
How shall we ever manage ?" she ask. |
ed Of Helen. John says if you Just give |
people a cordial welcome it's all they care
for"
" | think it is, provided you accompany
it with tolerable food and sheter-and we
are competent to do that"
Now, Helen, it's easy to talk But |
just confess that you feel very anxious
about entertaining friends that are used to
such different style of living
" can't say that do presume they |
know about what to expect, and they were |
not always so very rich themselves. | dare
say that Mrs. Mowbray at our age lived as
plainly as we do"
" Perhaps but people so soon forget
such things"
% don't think from all we have heard of
her that she is that sort of person. She
will come here expecting quiet visit, and |
we shall make her as comfortable as we
can, | don't see anything to apprehend."
Margaretta was amazed at such obtuse-
ness. For herself, she determined to spare
no effort at making creditable appear
ance in the eyes of these important stran-
gers. She satup night after night to finish
the projected sewing the children must
look their best. A new dress for herself
and new curtains for the parlor were i'm
perative so were many little items of
china and cabinet ware These cares with |
the general furnishing of the house and
the thousand jam and jelly preparations,
left her SO worn out that it was we'll indeed
that the guests were to make their visit to
Helen
Mrs. Mowbray's appearance disappoint-
ed Margaretta not little i; a pleasant,
middle aged woman in gray silk dress
not one atom formidable. She had exp ect-
ed, she didn't quite know what ; great