The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-30

, WCCWHTOTlUU
mode OF passing the evening, varied occasionally
by walk, during which the same home topic
goes on.n
Here 1 broke in most vehemently. "You
know nothing about It, Bertha Why should
you blame me for Fred's quietness? he wishes to
"1n any home but ny own, Milly, am chary
of Offering to amuse the master OF it but you
know my own devotion to Robert, and therefore
will not misconstrue my motives tonight
shall try the experiment"
! laughed consent, but felt sure no expert
ment was needed: things were best as they
we're. Fred always looked tired and grave; why
should he be disturbed? Evening came. 1t
seemed an effort Tor my husband to Join in the
conversation. Bertha sat quietly talking to me
for some time, when she said,
"Mllly, do you recollect any of your old
songs"
Yes; but my voice is gone from want of
"Never mind. come and try; perhaps it will
come back again.
involuntarily turned to look at my husband;
q shade passed over his face as be buried himself
deeper in his book. Presently the most eXqul-
site melody breathed round the room; no loud
chords broke the charm-it was as if an angel
had touched the instrument. My husband put
down his book threw his head back, and closed
his eyes; still the same heavenly strains went
on, and ultimately a voice seemed to rise in the
atmosphere, so perfect III its nodulatlon, so
charmingly liquid in all its tones, that could
it ceased my husband rose, came to the piano,
and sald,-
Bertha, you are like David of old-capaLle of
chasing away evil spirits; at all events your voice
has not run away"
Neither has Millys," replied; sit is stored
away Tor the present.
81 used to like Milly's singing better than
yours but never hear her voice now" he said
with sigh; ''the children take up all her tune"
was about to reply, but Bertha, thought
somewhat hastily, asked for some information
respecting some people whom she had told me
hp "A Dn cor q atr / nnrto 1v IaH
she was inconsistent; however, this led to de.
sultory but amusing conversation through the
rest OF the evening, which glided gradually
away. had not seen Fred so brightlooking
for many day; could not but rejoice at this
though jealous pang arose when | reflected
that 1t was other Efforts than mine which had
aroused my husband into something like gayety
However, this evil spirit OF jealousy strangled
before it had time for more than to show its eX-
| istence. Fortunate, indeed, was it that strength
| was given me to resist the selfish feeling which
| poisons every enjoyment, tor this evening was
the beginning OF a new life. lnsensibly brighter
| influence encircled us. In conversation, read
| ing, and music, in which / bore my part, the
days became scarcely long enough, and the
evenings ! looked forward to with delight. The
children throve amazingly upon the diet which
= Bertha insisted they should have, and Bridget
was rarely unamiable; she was not called
upon at unusual times to make a light pudding
2 for the baby, and to beat up an egg In milk tor
the eldest child, and then missls always crying
| out about the expense; for, men, she never will
think that all the litteS cost anything-'tis only
! the mate and the petates she reckons upon"
Robert Chapman, Bertha's husband, lad gone
| to the West Indies, accompanied by his sou, to
| look after some property that had descended to
him by the will of a recently deceased relative.
| The eldest daughter was visiting an aunt, and
| the three youngest were at school. Bertha had
| determined upon paying this visit to us, and
| had left the house under the care of old Fanny
| and the cook: the other servants were at board
! wages. On her first coming she had insisted
upon paying some portion of our weekly ex-
| penses, but seeing how very little her plan was
| liked, and that to press the matter would have
beeh cause of some ofense, she desisted, though
| many luxury found ITS way to our table,
| which, but for her, would have been unattaln-
| able. Fanny, by her mistress orders, fire.
| qtently despatched hamper containing
| which no remonstrance could prevent
fIom. appearing;, so that at last we quietly
gave in to Bertha,s ,whIm, as she called 1t, and
| the intervals between these arrivals Bertha
| contllved to become housekeeper. She ordered
| the dinners, and managed the scraps so we'll
| that Bridget replied to an inquiry | one day
| made as TO dmner-"Shure, tits French dinner
| Mrs. Chapman will be after sending up to-day
| In short, everything went on so admirably, yet
so quietly, that, as my friends visit was now
| limited to three or four weeks, | felt much
regret at her leaving; and, knowing tnat
| should again fall into my unsystematic ways,
| got her to draw up programme lit may use
the term) OF management, which must give
| she has headed it
Early -Punctuality Despatch, and
| place for everything"
| How musical was her laugh as she wrote al
| the same time making gentle excuses for such
important words, as she termed them,-
| "Milly, dear, you must get out OF your dreamy
moods; whatever presents itself in the shape Of
outy, let it be g1apped with at the right mo
ment; II it be dlGagreeabe, never mind, grasp il
at once; don't stay thinking about it. Yor
| know the old rhyme
| "'Tender handed touch the nettle,
| And It shngs you for your palms.
| Grasp 1t like a man of mettle,
| And 1t soft as silk remains
So little friend, difficulties vanish before resolu
tion and action.r
| But, Bertha have not the strong will anC
| power you have. With you to will is to do; witt
me 1t IS different. am naturally the slave o.
| circumstances"
'Milly, stop; don't acknowledge to such weak
| ness. II you make yourself the slave of circum
stances, they Will rule you; but once bend cir
cumstances 10 your will, and the victory il
gained. | understand but two to which we mus
all bow-sckness and death; these excepted, W,
can be brave under all others. Be dauntless in
the right"
Now, Bertha how can always Judge whaI
is right? You know how tiIesome Bridget is
and when require things to be done one way
she VIII insist upon doing them in different
Manner
Bridget sees that our orders are merely the
result OF caprice, not of Judgment or knowledge
ana this observation OF her quick-Witted intel
lect makes her fippant, almost impertnent
Those below us must see some superior uualit,
in their employers TO respect. A selt-styled
architect who had no more knowledge than 3
bricklayer would not be able to govern his men
SO 1t is with Mistress If she really knows
nothing OF household management there will
| be insubordinatlOn among ner domestics anf