Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-10-05
Turning the Tables.

pots ofpurple-blossomed violets in the
window seat, and a blue-ribboned
guitar lying on the sofa, and books
piled on the table, and close by the
fire Mrs. Haven had seated herself
with her desk to write some letters.
She was a trim, compact little wo.
man, with bright brown hair, and eyes
to match, and a resolute mouth that
somehow carried out the expression
of a nose that our French neighbors
phrase retrouse." Mary Haven had
character-that you might see at a
glance.
AS she sat there selecting her pen
and unscrewng the silver top of her
inkstand the door opened very softly
and a round, full lmooned face appear
ed.
Mrs. Haven, mem, if you please.
yes, said Mrs. Haven, deserving
at once by the infallible barometer of
a woman's ear the rising thunderstorm
in the domestic atmosphere. What
is it cook ?''
It's not that you are a kind mis-
tress, men," said the cook twisting
the hem of her checked apron, " the
wages is good, not to say company is
allowed once a week, and Sunday
evenings always out, but there are some
things flesh and blood can't stand, nc
more they can't, and | hain't no pa.
tience with such doings, and if you
please to suit yourself mem, at a
months warnin-"
Why cook, what is the matter p
Some can abide meddlin with,
mem, and some can't-and if the bar
rel of mackerel sets on the wrong cor
ner, and the sugar boxes amt kept
covered proper,it'S the mistress should
tell me of it, and not the master, and
if Mr.. Haven wants me to cook mem,
well and good, but | won't stay in the
same kitchen !"
And cook hounced out, maltreating
her apron, having had her say.
Mrs. Haven flushed scarlet. She
rose and went down stairs to the Gel
lar, where her husband, minus his coat
was endeavoring to move a huge wash
ing machine.
"You see Bridget" he called out,
this is the worst possible place the
thing could stand in, and-why Mrs.
Haven, is it you ?"
Yes, it is |, said Mrs. Haven, " |
thought you had gone to your Office,
Henry"
1" am going presently" said Mr..
Haven, " but you see Mary, everything
down here is at skies and sevcns. It's
well | come down occasionally. Cook
has no more economy than a wild
savage, and Bridget puts everything
precisely where it shouldn't be- Ny
dear have YOU looked over the grocer's
bill for a month ?"
"No, | haven't" said Mrs. Haven.
Well, it's quite alarming. There
must be leak somewhere-and that
reminds me-the moIasses keg is drip
ping at the rate of half pint a day. u
Bridget and cook stood by, mur.
muring dark discomfort. Mrs. Haven
was more annoyed than she cared to
express.
"I will see TO it," she said.
But you don't see to it my dear
found a box of stale eggs on the top
shelf-eggs my dear, that are com
Pletely wasted when eggs are five
cents apiece !"
Mrs. Haven turned and went up
stairs again with a round red spot
glowing on either cheek-sigual pen
mons of the disturbance within. She
was not faultlesS angel, any more
than other women are, and she was
very much out of temper, as she walk
ed up and down the room with hel
hands behind her, and the brown eyes
glittering with an ominous sparkle.
Mary, have you seen my memo
randum-book ?" asked her husband
as be entered pulling on his gloves.
No, l have not. Probably you viii
find it on the pantry shelf, or under
Bridget's washing machine, answered
, Mary shortly.
" Now puss, you are out of temper,
SAID Me-. Haven good humoredly, "anC
how very unreasonable that is of you.
"Henry," said Mrs. Haven, layins
one hand appealingly on his shoulder
and looking up into his face, you
don't know how it morti6es and an
noys me to have you interfere in m,
domestic affairsr' p
Aren't we firm, Henry Haven 4
Wife ?" he asked coolly,' and are no
our interests identical ?"
I" Yes; but Henry Haven has hi
department, and his wife ought t.
have hers" .5-.
" That's all nonsense, my,love."
: Henry, will you oblige me b
leaving these domestic concerns to m
own management ?"
a would do so much to oblige yor
|, my dear Mary, but | shall not conced
. that point" be said, as he took hi
. departure, leaving Mrs. Haven indis
nant and meditatiye.
, Bridget's voice broke out with Ce
4 tic accent upon her reverie.
: Please ma'am, | found this littl
. black book behind the -four barrel.
Thank you, Bridget; it is Henr
Haven's.
She glanced mechanically at il
y pages as Bridget disappeared. Th
= column devoted to that was full o
,, closely written memoranda.
See Kartwyn & Daley about til
, house in 18th street. not to let thel
:. it for $3.50. Call at McAllister
I and order the green oil cloth instea
y of the buff for the Office floor. TIE
T Martin to proceed directly with su
in Russell VS.. Russell. Remind cler
not to settle tailor's bill-alteratio
y to be made first. Go halves wit
? Jordan in opposite Central Park
y And thus indefinitely.
t Mary Haven read the words wit
v out much interest at first. but pre-
(, emily her eyes frightened, AID a rog
v ish suspicion of smile began to trer
d BILE around her resolute lips.
a al am very clad I found this mer