Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-03-08
ITO view me with q critics eye.
Nor pass my imperfections by"


there, began a series of petty care-takings,
wearying to mind and body both.
First, my cook was rather extravagant.
and slightly inclined to dispute my author
ity, upon the ground of disparity in years;
and had made up my mind to make
change in that department but then she
did make rich soups and get up such pref
ty side-dishes, and such delicate tea and
breakfast cakes and relishes, must keep
her until my guests had come and gone
and present of a new shawl was the flag
of truce which held out with ready hand
but reluctant heart.
What a mercy felt 1t was fCs me that
the spring cleaning was all we'll over to
be sure the white dTaperies of the great
chamber had been taken down, and nicely
got up, and they were all Laid out" white
and stiff as sheeted ghosts, upon the bed
1t had been my intention to have them
put up again that very week; but then, as
Isabella was coming. wanted to have her
find them in all the beauty of their fresh
gloss and newneSs so they were con-
demned still to lie in state, and the clam
Der wassleft to ''scud under bare poles"
as the sailors say, for some weeks longer.
The children's summer dresses were all
in readiness, and il was quite time to make
the chlnge /; but they could not put them
on then, they must wear their old dresses
until their aunt came, for Aunt Isabella
is quite particular in the matter of dress.
| had intended to have little Bellies hair
cut that spring; her father had said her
long curls would ruin her eyes and her
aunt, for whom she was named, might
think, perhaps, that it was malicious
step mothers act of cruel power, making
a really pretty child look like that. No,
| felt the curls must not he cut till aunt
Isabella had been and gone, even if the
child did have weak eyes; so | contrived
to tie them up with ribbons.
The weeks rolled on /; June had come,
and our place looked lovely "the plot
thickened;' they might come any day
now but oh if | had only known when,
IF" | said To myself they would only
happen To come while our beautiful Wis
taria is in such full bloom before the
climbing roses fade if they could only be
here while the splendid moon lasts, or
while this delightful June weather contin-
ues as if l, personally, was answerable
for all these Next, began living in
constant watchfulness and PREPARATION
Our own family being small-only our
selves and the children-I fell Tin view of
the impending visit) into habit of keep
ing house "by system of double entry
$50 to speak day by day providing not
only for the actual but for the possible
dinner-4the dinner which was to be,
and also the dinner which might be, and
would be if they came; corps de reserre
in the larder. and reintorcements In am
bush in pantry and store-room the re-
S6rre corps of to-day to be the piece dc re
sistdnce of tomorrow and so on and on
through the whole week.
Batch after batch of rich cake | had
made and kept as an edible trust fund;
and when 1t had reached its last limits of
freshness il had to be cOntiscated to the use
of the children, for whom 1t was neither
healthy nor suitable. Oh, the labor and ex-
pense to small, genteel family residing
in the country as the newspapers express
il, of the visitors srh0 do not come
II had got to be the last week in June.
felt thew must come then; and whenever
went out for walk OF drive cas; many
"a longing lingering look behind, to sur
vey my premises; TO try to Judge how they
would strike the eyes of strangers: to be
certain that all was IN perfect order-nO
scattered threads, no fallen scissors, no
rundown book, 10 bear mute evidence
against me and the tidiness of my habits.
And left repeated injunctions 10 Thomas
10 be al hand TO receive our guests and car
~ up their luggage promptly; and l gave
Mary O Neal private instructions, until We
were bothwearv of The subject, about show
ing them to thcir room, asking the lady to
lay oil her bonnet, otfsIing TO brush the
gentlemans coat, proifering the Oriental
refreshment of cool water and napkins, and
depoTting herself as a well-trained cham
BERNARD should do: for wished Isabella to
see that did have well drilled servants. if
did live out of town. And every day
when came home looked in vain for the
mark of wheels upon the nicely kept ap
proach, which John, by my express orders
Taked off twice az often as he had been ac
customed TO do.
One day, on returning from a drive,
nurse met HE with troubled face and TIE
information that the two little girls had hsd
a tumble. 1t appeared that they were run
ming, hand in hand, in the garden walks.
when little Lii tripped and fell, dragging
Belle down af.er her. They were not much
hurt, she said, only scotched and bruised
a good deal; and sure enough. on lifting
my eyes, there they were. upon the landing
of the stairs, raIefully smiling down upon
me through the railing of the balusters.
like pair of most forlorn game chickens
in coop.
Belle had cut on her lip. and her
cheek. chin, and arms scratched by the
gravel; and Lily had her forehead and nose
badly scratched, and very black eye. If
it had not been for my sorrow | really think
should have laughed, they looked so wobe-
gone, suggesting at once the idea of two
little domestic gladiators, who had just
come from "a regular "set-to" in a private |
ring in the nursery and they were such |
gentle little things too, | do not believe
heir childish differences ever went beyond |
= Please, Lily, don't do So or Belle, dear |
don't want you to do that" And there |
hey were, in a plight such as would ma
urally suggest pugilistic encounter to |
my impartial observer.
But was thankful they were not more |
hurt and ! went to work with |
zeal al once, using cold cream for the cuts
md scratches, and fresh butter and worm
wood for the bruises. and conforted up |
heir sad little hearts with some extra jam
md cake for their supper, and sent them TO
,ed wonderfully relieved by the welcome
assurance that mamma did not blame them
It all.
But the next morning, when my husband
anne down to breakfast, after his usual
morning visit to the nursery, fond as he
vas of his children, he could not help
aughing.
why, Mary, what looking set you
AVE got in the nursery. Sore, battered,
nd bruised, they look as if they had had
o undergo pretty severe discipline. |
hall have to spend all my eloquence to
onvince Isabella that you are not regular
Playful words thoughlessly uttered; but