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

ployed, and returned to her own peculiar
providence. "No work in afternoons" was
for her, as for most good housekeepers, the
beginning and end of the law, but at such
periods she felt that the custom was more
honored in the breach than the observance
She wrought faithfully on till dusk, cheered
through all her aching weariness by thought
OF the progress she was making; conscious
too, that 1t would have been almost a NOR
al transgresson to abide longer in such an
untidy house.
ut evening drew in, a fire was kindled
on the sitting-room hearth all the stoves
were down, and this was the only resort
for warmth. A slim little blaze curled
among the sticks laid on a pair of ancient
andirons imported from the garret; all the
pictures were covered with old cloths or
newspapers; the chairs were turned inside
each other, grouped i'll one corner and Gov
cred with sheet, while their place was
supplied by an old rush bottom rocker and
three Windsors, long guiltess of paint
Every little article of ornament had been
slowed away in drawer or closet to keep
it from the dust and the bare floor gave
desolatc echoes to the lightest tread To
add to its cheerlessness, a powerful fra
! x
ment.
Used up, ell, Margaretta ?" said her
husband, finding her extended on the sofa,
her temples bound tightly with a handker-
chief
Yes" replied feeble voice, "my head
aches dreadfully."
was afraid of it, thought you were
overriding; and you ate no dinner at all"
"No, but in the course of the afternoon
| grew hungry and took piece Of mince-
pie as | worked | couldn't stop for a reg
ular meal So it can't be want of food that
has brought it on"
Perhaps not but wish you would be
more prudent, dear Couldn't you manage
to spare yourself a little ?"
Oh, John, you don't know anything
about it You mean kindly but men never
understand. There's Just so much to be
done, and must do it E.; | can't trust an
other creature Bridget is an excellent
girl, but couldn't think of setting her at
anything | am particular about And of
course | can't have things dragging along
week after week | must get through some
time, and if it brings on any of my troub-
| les, | must just put up with it, Oh dear ~
as peculiarly knife-like pain went through
the suffering head.
Can't do something for you ?" asked
Mr.. Henry, in a sympathizing tone.
/ No, there's nothing for it but to keep
quiet perhaps | shall doze little by and
! by You want your tea don't you? Just
step into the kitchen and ask Bridget to set
on something know she has the kettle
boiling. The children will have theirs with
their cousins, probably"
The room was quiet huge shadows
played grotesquely Oh the wall; the fire
burned with tranquil murmur Marga-
rctta's head grew easier; the pain seemed
to pass off into the pillow the sharp, far
reaching stabs were stiled She fell into
half sleep, inexpressibly soothing when
there arose a rush, tramping in the hall,
and the children burst in.
"Oh dear" she groaned, reused to suffer
ing again, and thinking, little reproach-
fully, that John might have watched for
their coming and taken them in by the back
way.
Fire in the fireplace " shouted Johnny.
" Isn't it nice, Emma ?'
"Did you have pleasant visit ?" asked
the mother
"Splendid y answered Emma. "Aunt
Helen had fire up stairs, and let us make
just as much noise as we wanted to. And
when we got tired we sat down to paint
ing drew butterfly, and painted it all
pink and yellow-such a beauty Pve got
it in my pocket ! brought it home to show
you, mother"
"Never mind, dear, ] can't look at it now
| hope you didn't injure anything playing
about so hard"
"NO, l guess not. Johnny upset his tum-
bier of water when we were painting
was real frightened ! But Aunt Helen
wiped it up with towel, and she said there
was no harm done"
{" don't see how Helen can bear to have
Il parcel of children romping through her
house." thought Mrs. Henry. alt would
set me crazy But she never was very par
ticnlar Johnny, Johnny" aloud, cant
you make a little less noise? Those heels
of yours seem to be stamping right into
my head :" and the young gentleman was
quiet for three-quarters of a minute.
Mr. Henry now came in with a light and
newspaper the children who had by this
time exhausted the amusement of the fire,
drew near the table.
"Where's my Riverdale Story Books ?"
asked Johnny. want to read about the
young Robinson Crusoe"
Il put them all away up stairs" said his
mother you must take something else"
But Robinson Crusoe alone would satisfy the
youthful longings
1" I'll get it, mamma" offered Emma, If
you'll tell me where"
" You couldn't child it's away down
under ever SO many things. Johnny, get
out your picture-cards they're in the ta-
ble-drawer."
This resource availed five minutes, but
then the cry arose again.
DO find something to keep him quiet,
Emma" said her mother in despair
I" | don't dnow what to find everything
is put away Oh dear, this isn't much like
Aunt Helen's," said Emma, dsconsolately.
" The floors so cold, and it all looks so bare
and dismal"
Children" exclaimed Mrs. Henry, res
olutely, you must go to bed ; | can't stand
this constant talking any longer feel as
if should fly. Emma, undress your broth
er, and take him up stairs"
MAY not come down again, mamma "
" No, child; you'll be better off in bed,
and | want the house quiet"
" think mammals very cross" observed