Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-18
5eleet Gale.
ONE OF THE MARTYRS,

1t was a cold, raw morning towards the
end of April. Masses of dark clouds skur-
licd across the heavens before a bleak east
wind. But in the Henry mansion comfort
mgned supreme The air was tempered to
q delightful warmth, an excellent breakfast
smoked upon the table from the glittering
totirc-pot went up a wreath Of fragrant in
crnSe. The master of the house and the
two scions thereof enjoyed the repast with
full appreciation, but anxious cares shad-
owed the brow of Mrs. Henry.
You'll be sure to send the men up di-
rectly after dinner" she asked of her liege
lord
Certainly, if you WISH" he responded,
pauSng, egg-spoon in hand. but hadn't
YOU better think again ? It's a bitter day"
Il know it," said Mrs. Henry, with entire
sacquiescence She was not the woman to
make light of the suffering that lay before
her But what can do? Here it is the
very last of April, and the house i'll such
state :"
The house is we'll enough" declared the
husband, glancing around the neat appoint
ments of the dining room. No need to
clean at all, as far as | can see"
a suppose not" said Mrs. Henry, with
plalntive smile, betokening at once her com
passion for such blindness and her utter
lack Of hope that it could ever be enlight-
ened Il don't think, my dear, that you'd
know 1t if nothing was touched from years
lend to years end Ifyour books and news
4PaperS We're only conveniently at hand, you
#WoaIdn't mind if they lay six inches deep
III dust; and as long as there was one spot
you could see through in the windows,
you'd never dream but it was all right.
We felt these two weeks that the house
swaS absolutely not fit to 6ue IN, but Tve
Kept delaying and delaying, in hopes of
Deter weather, till there is no use in wait
nng any longer can't go another day
with things in such condition"
The intense tirmness with which these
last words were spoken brought conviction
TO the mind of Mr.. Henry. He offered no
further rcmonstrance, but finished his meal
and departed, promising to send up the
needed men.
His wife proceeded to her task with skill
and expedition. Every floor in the house
was speedily denuded of its carpets, which
were stacked ia he back kitchen, awaiting
the arrival cf the masculine force. Some
woman clean in shlly-shally way, tearing
up on room at a time, and settl ing that
before another is attacked. Mrs. Henry's
contempt of such doings was inexpressible.
" hat Have the whole corps of ca, pet
shakers come up once a day till she got
through. Beautiful management that would
oe' And by the time the last room was
lone, the first would be about ready to
lean over again. NO let us make one
ioo OF 1t and get through rwas the fervent
separation, and she followed it up with con-
>istcnt works.
Now, Bridget" she said to her hand
""u, i want you to go right up stairs
1n a,TI mop of the floors as fast as you can !;
il see to the front part of the house myself,
"aa between us, We'll soon have everything
ready to begin to clean"
But what shall | do about dinner
ma am = inquired Bridget.
Oh, no matter what We mustn't be
p"Tilcular in house cleaning. There's some
''Ia beef, isn't there ?"
lust lump as big as me fist, that's all,
'nought 1t might make "a taste of hash for
'"norrow breakfast"
mat will do very well, and we can have
,p"S' potatoes. You can't stop to pare
,'sHl IillS morning. Be sure and keep up
G9oa supply of hot water"
lier work was before her, and to that all
ueIgles were bent Only her own hands
H.. ,uu dress that sacred altar, the front par
anu she would not delay. Mounted