Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-16


Il am never willingly absent from the
means of grace answered Mrs. Simpkins
with something of a glow of satisfaction
on her sweet face.
Il am glad you love Gods worship
sister. Goodbye
And the deacon took bis leave in nc
way benefited by bis visit, and feeling
that he had conferred no benefit. Mrs
Simpkins was on spiritual heights too faI
above him. He could not touch the hem
of her garment.
She flew up stairs TO her nursery and
snatched the baby from Bridget.
'Now go to your washing as quick a;
possible, and try to have it done in some
kind of season, for once. And have your
dinner cooked decently, for once, if you
can
Not a word OF thanks 20 the poor ser.
want for having held the baby so long
while her work was lying undone below
stairs. What had so suddenly changed
Mrs. Simpkin1' look and manners? What
had driven away her sweetness and p!a-
cidity, her heavenly smile? +? How chang
ed her voice was So keen and cutting.
How angry she looked as she called to
her little son
Jimmy, come herep
The boy obeyed.
Now don't you ever again come TO the
parlor when I'm there with company,
she exclaimed to the young intruder, as
she cutfed him first on one ear and then
on the other, making both ring. She
didn't call him darling then. You're the
worst boy ever saw she went on. I've
no idea what you'll grow up to be. How
many times have told you not to come
to the parlor when I'm there with com
pany ? and yet you always come. Just
as sure as l am there, in comes your
frowsy head
This was true, for the child was bright
enough TO know his opportunity. The
only sweet, liberal time his mother ever
had was when she was under the obser-
vation of company. Then, for appear
ance' sake, she would give him what he
asked for. He always bad to pay for it
in tingling ears and smarting
flesh, but be was well accustomed, tough
ened, and did not mind them much.
This insanity and unwholesome treat.
ment had only just been administered to
Jimmy, when an odor Of burning food
was pereeptible.
Bridget screamed Mrs. Simpkins ;
'your soup is burning, Bridget ?
No answer; and leaving the baby
with jimmy, Mrs. Simpkins flew to the
kitchen and snatched kettle from the
stove.
What made you let the soup burn ?
she exclaimed, as Bridget entered.
i was on the shed, mama
But you ought not 10 be out of your
kitchen when you've anything on the
fire.
But l had to hang out the clothes,
ma'am OF they wouldn't be dried. l was
so long with baby that the washing's far
back, ma'am.'
4 never saw anything like it. You've
always some excuses, no matter what
you do. Why didn't you set the soup
back while you were on the shed? ?
i did not think of it sure
And why didn't you think of ? I've
tried so hard to make a good girl of you,
and | declare I'm mos; tired out
We'll, I've thoughts of givin' you rest
from me. There's no use in so much
said, aud bein' so tired, all for sup o
broth
No words, Bridget. l never allow
my girls to answer back. It's bad enough
10 have my things burnt up, without any
from you
You can look out for another girl to
10 your work. l can't suit you, and
you've leave to find one that can
How foolish in you, Bridget, to get
mad just for nothing! 1t was my place
10 get angry, and not yours. 1t was my
money that was burnt in the soup
'Ah, and there was no money burnt
at all, and no loss of soup, neither, for
he children and NELL have it all to ate,
burnt or not burnt, yourself knows well.
And it's not all about the soup either
here's enough more frettinG and fussing
rom morning till night, whenever your
eli's in the house and I'm running here
or the children, and there for yourself,
md me work TO be done all the same,
md ye never pleased, but always this is
wrong and the other aint right, and me
till | can't hold me two feet
'wunst to the floor for the pain, and thin
I've never done half enough
If you're dissatisfied you'd better go.
Bridget but first consider what it is to
rave good steady place, with good re-
igious people. You Irish girls never
,now when you're well off,
'And it's not well off any one is that
works in this house, answered Bridget.
Il sha'n't listen TO any more of your
mpudence, Bridget. wish you to keep
m with your work till l can get another
,irl.' said Mrs. Simpkins.
There was something indescribably
falling and oppressive in her tone and
manner, that reused the worst feelings
he generous, good>naiured Bridget was
capable of, and she dashed the dipper
rom her hand to the floor before Mrs.
Simpkins had turned her back.
Mr.. Simpkins came home tired and
worn with business and the first thing
bat fell upon his ears was the dash of
he dipper, and the next, a complaint
rom his wife.