The Oxford falcon. [volume] (Oxford, Miss.) 1865-18??, 1868-12-05

Laura was sfttlng Dy Der nus
bands bed-side one dreary No
vember twilight, when there wa
an unwoDted hustle at the dooi
below-at throwing down Of trunk
and shrill articulation Of voices
She hasiened to the head of ths
stairs-it was Farmer Page anc
4 hia wife l e.sa
We've no 'honus of cur own
now" said Mrs. Page, senior
speaking bitterly and loud. "anc
we've come to stay with You and
your wife, son Charles.
mo home ofyour own, motherr
"No-thanks to yoar father
who would endorse that note for
old Millman and he's lost every
dollar-iust what he might have
expected. / think-and we're al
good as beggars in our old age
But, dear me, what's the matter,
Charles ?"
Then followed explanations and
rccitaln, much TO the relief OF
Farmer Page. who bad instinct
lively shrnnk into the background,
until the violence of his wife's z
wrath should have subsided.
"And you're no better off than
We be !" sighed Mrs Page, glan-
cling sadly around the room.
"Ah--h that is what comes OF
fine indies for wives !"
1t was not exactly q logical
conclusion, but it seemed 10 afford
wondrous consolation to the good
old woman, who Immediately un-
tied her bonnet strings. and pre-.
pared to make herself at home. 1"
'.is this money in the pocket
book all you We got left. Charles ?"
demanded his mother, about ten
days after their unexpected arri-
val.
"Yes, mother"
"Only five dollars and the rent
will come due tomorrow. and
there is a bill for groceries, enough
TO make ones hair stand on end
and as for milk, 1 don't see how
men can sleep at night who charge
len cents 2 onxrl for milk that's
how much the doctors bill is
going to be, and Bridget's wages
but I'll discharge her tomorrow
morning 1t your wife can't do
the work of these few rooms, /
can"
Charles Page closed his eyes
wearily, and pressed his hand
upon bis tbrobbing temples. 1t
was not the best course of treat.
ment for feverish patient, this
enumeration of domestic troubles.
but old Mrs. Page had never been
i'll herself, and consequently made
little allowance for the weak and
worn out state of her son.
II don't know what Lauras
doing up in her room" said the
old lady. "She had a great deal
better buy wash tub and bar
of yellow soap, and do the family
washing instead of putting it out,
and spending her time in writing
poetry"
Laura has been the most ten.
der and devoted of nurses to me.
and | will listen to no aspersions
of her conduct r interrupted
Charles Page, Indignantly.
Mrs. Page screwed her lips
tightly together, as she turned the
solitary note over and over, but
she ventured on no more deroga
tory remarks downstairs. Creep
ing like venerable pussy cat up
the staircase, she entered he.
daughter in-law's apartment with
the stealthy movement peculiar
to that quadruped.
Painting, eh, Mrs. Charles !?
Let mo tell you | think ii is yonr
duty to attend a little more 10 the
homework. and less to your fine
amusements up mere. Do you SET
this note? it's all we've got left in
the house. and If you think it's
going to support yon in idleness
you're mistaken"
lis Charles alone, mother?''
Yes, he is alone-but as / was
saying"
Il think wc had better join
him."
| old Mrs. Pago hobbied down
after Laura's graceful movements,
| gramblisg ss she vent.
Laura, said her husband, with
a troubled face, my mother tells
me that our funds are getting
low"
~Only FIVE dollars left. said the
old lady, clutching it greedily, as
if fearful that it wonld take wings
and yanissi into thin air.
"And," resumed her son, "whai
are We TO do?"
Might as we'll ask advice Of the
biggest wax doll in the sboI
around the corner, grumbled
; Mrs. Page, sotto U0ce
See, Charles"
! Laura had opened her littI,
portemonaie and was showing on
! its contents on the bed, close Il
Charles hand.
! Count it, dear 7"