Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-04-08
HETTY'S VICTORY.
BY MRS. WILKINSON,

ours manage to get along l shonld like to
kLow!' said Mrs. Hetty Gay, The bride Of
a year, while scowl gathered and settled
upon the white forehead and spread itself
down to the sweet mouth, chasing the dim
Piles all away and leaving an ugly frown,
almost the first in all her life, in their
stead.
81 declare its just enough to drive one
mad-this housekeeping-indeed it is !"
and the sweet voice quivered just little
at first, then great sob welled up from
the inexperienced little heart, which fut-
tered and beat like frightened BIRDS, and
at last the tears would and did come as the
red lips murmured between the sobs -
"And dear Alf is so particular, and such
an epicure, and likes so many dainty things
Oh what shall 1 do? What SHALL do p
and Hetty sunk down in dismay 10 the
old kitchen chair which Bridget had so re-
Gently vacated.
There were all the breakfast dishes to
be washed-not so many to be sure, for
only two had breakfasted from off the
dainty china which looked such prodig-
ious pile to the blue eyes-the whole house
to be swept and busted (Hetty had three
rooms besides the kitchen,) dinner to get
(for two. "And oh dear the mercy on
ly knows what all never can, indeed l
never camp she sobbed over and over
again.
Now, Hetty Gay was not a foolish, weak
minded little woman, as perhaps the read
er will imagine, but quite the contrary
Never in all her life, had such weight of
care rested upon her young shoulders and
as it rose up before her in such prodigious
proportions, she did what many another
would have done in like circumstances.
"If could only learn" she at length
whispered through her tears, but how
| can |? There is no one here to show me,
and then dear Alf will see how awkward I
am. That is worst of all I"
There was ring at the door, and Het-
ty sprang up, bathed her eyes, gave ore
dubious look back at the huge pile OF Chi
ma, and brushing away the golden mist of
ringlets from her face, prepared to obey
the summons.
"Oh l do hope it is only the butcher
with the roast" she murmured, giving a
hasty glance at the little mirror in the DIN
ing room, where pair of swoolen eyes and
a troubled face confronted her
"Oh, Lou where did you come from.?"
cried Mrs. Hetty eagerlv-the dimples all
coming back and the ugly scowl vanishing
like dream when she encountered the
smiling face IF Lou Burton at the door
The friend of all others whom she wished
most to see at this particular juncture was
this same Lou Burton, and she had tho't
of her at least a dozen times since Bridg-
cts abrupt leave-taking, but then she
lived so far away, and it was no use, she
thought.
"But, dear Lou, how did you happen to
come just now ?" she said. my good
genius must have sent you here to-day,
I'm sure, for was so wretched. Bridget |
left this morning, you see, and I'm alone
and have been crying like great baby
this half hour! Pm so stupid, you know,
and as ignorant of housekeeping matters
as a two days-old baby, which | wouldn't |
have Alf know for all the world. Come
with me, Lou-that's a dear-right out to
this awful kitchen, and give me my first
lesson in housekeeping =
elegant cashmere wrapper are yon, Hettyl"
said Lou Burton, the practical little house
keeper and economist that she was.
"Oh, it won't hurt it, just this once,
you know, and"
"But it will, Hetty," persisted Lou
Now, you 60 and slip on a plain calico,
while go to the kitchen and commence
operations.
But will you stay whole week, dear,
and help me through?" said Hetty, i'm
ploringly, as she turned to obey.
"Certainly, 7 WILL" answered Lou. in
spite of herself, at Hettys beseeching
look,
"Now, mind you don't do thing till
come there; for must learn, you know"
called out Hetty after her.
Dinner time came, and with it I" dear
Aft" as hungry as a bear," he said, for
he had been out on collecting tour, and
was ready to dcvour a whole regiment"
After hearty welcome to Hetty's friend,
he led the way to the little dining room.
Whew, Hetty p he said, after survey
ing the appointments with critics eye
~ do believe you beat Bridget after all.
Just look at this roast, now it suits me to
a charm-just brown enough, and done to
perfection and these rolls are as light as
feather. How splendidly the table looks.
Everything just where it belongs | de-
clare that Irish girl had way of mixing
up things that didn't just like. after ALL
Hetty, this salads prepared just as | used
to like it when boy--I tell you it's deli
cious,--and prince might covet that des-
ert on the side table yonder. Really, Miss
Burton, | never knew until to-day that my
little Hetty was such model house wife ~
Lou was amused. Hetty sat smiling
through the tears--a slight quiver about
her sweet lips and deep flush on either
cheek, but very busy with her thoughts.
Days and weeks passed. Lou Burton
was a constant at the Gays, where no
Bridget had as yet taken the place of her
predecessor. Bv-and by the weeks glided
into months, and Lou only came occasion
ally, for Hetty had graduated, and Alfred
Gay never knew until wears afterward how