Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-04-15
Seleft Story.
T e M p e r


ionI Chaos turned inside out! What is the
reason a man cannot be allowed to sleep in
peace without this everlasting racket raised
about his ears? Children crying, doors SIAM
ming-I viii know the reason ofall this uproar.' y
Mr.. Luke Darcy shut the door of his bedroom
with considerable emphasis, and went straight
to the breakfast parlor. ~
All was bright and pleasant and quiet there
the coal swapping and sparkling in the CRATE,
the china and silver ware on the spotless DAM
ask CLOTH and the green parrot drowsily wink
ing his yellow eyes in the sunny glow of the
eastern window-Bedlam plainly was not loca-
ted just there, and Mr.. Darcy went storming up
stairs to the nursery.
All, the field of battle was gained atlast Mrs.
Darcy sat in her little low chair before the fire,
trying to quiet the screams Of an eight-months
old baby scion of the house of Darcy, while an
other-a rosy boy of five years-lay on his back
prone on the fiooi, kicking and crying ina ft OF
ungovernabIe childish passion.
Mrs. Darcy" enunciated Luke, with an
ominous precision, may Inquire what all this
means? Are you aware that il is fifteen min
utes past nine O'Clock? Do you know that
breakfast is waiting?"
"Iknow, Luke, 1 know said poor. perplexed
Mrs Darcy, striving vainly tolift the rebellious
urchin mp by one arm. Come, Freddy, you
are going to be good now, mama is sure and get
up and be washed
"No-o-r' roared Master Freddy, performing
a brisk tattoo on the carpet with his heels, and
clawing the air furiously. -
Like an avenging vulture, Mr.. Darcy pounced
down on his son and heir, carried him promptly
TO the closet, and turned the key upon his
screams.
"Now, sir, you can carry it out at your leisure.
Evelyn, nnrse is waiting for the baby. Wen
go down and breakfast" E~
but, Luke, hesitated Mrs. Darcy, "you
won't leave Freddy there
Wont; I'd like to know why mot? temper,
and nothing else, that is the bottom of all these
demonstrations, and I'll know the reason why.
1t ought to have been checked long ago, but
you are so ridiculously indulgent. There is
nothing have so little tolerance for as bad
temper-nothing that ought to be so severely
and promptly dealt with
But if he will say he's sorry, Luke?''
Mr. Darcy raped sharply at the panels of the
door.
aAre YOU sorry for your naughtiness now
young man?"
A fresh outburst of screams and renewal of
the tattoo was the answer.
Pm sure he's sorry, Luke" pleaded the all
extenuating mother, but Mr.. Darcy shook his
head.
Entire submission is the only thing will
listen to-" said Mr. Darcy. shortly, I'll tell you
Evelyn, I'm determined to uproot this temper"
Evelyn, with a dewy moisture shadowing her
eyelashes, and dull ache at her head, followed
her liege lord down to the breakfast table, with
as little appetite for the coffee toast and eggs as
might be.
A tall, blue-eyed lady, with profusion OF
already at the table when they entered, by the
name ofClara Pruyn, by lineage Mrs. Darcy's
sister. She opened her eyes very wide as the
two came in.
Good gracious, Evy, what's the matter?"
Nothing" answered Luke, tartly. Mrs
Darcy, you appear TO forget that have eaten no
breakfast.
s'Something is the matter, though" said Clara
shrewdIy. "What is it Evelyn? Has Luke one
of his tantrums? ~
Luke set down his coffee with a very sharp
click"
You use very peculiar expressions, Miss
Pruyn."
'very true ones" said Clara, saucily.
Mrs. Darcy smiled in spite of herself.
ats only Freddy, who feels a little crossi
and"
"A little cross - interrupted her husband, in
that temper was checked. Oh, that parrot!-
What an intolerabie screaming he keeps up!-
Mary take that bird into the kitchen, or shall
be tempted to wiring its neck. Strange that
man can't have little peace once in WHILE
What does all the eggs, Evelyn? l thought
asked you to see that they were boiled lit for
Christian to eat"
Mr.. Darcy gave his eggs, shell and all, VIM
dictive throw against the CRATE Evelyn's
brown eyes sparkled dangerously, as she Oh
served the maneuvre, but she made no remark.
And the plates are as cold as a stone, when
I've implored again and again that they might
be warmed. Well, shall eat no breakfast this
morning."
Whom will you punish most?' demanded
Miss Clara Evelyn, give me another eup-o
that coffee, it is delightful"
Luke pushed back his chair with vengeance
and took his stand near the fire, with both hands
under his coat tails.
Please. sir" said the servant advancing, ''the
gas bill; the man says, viii you settle it while"
"Nor' reared Luke tempestuously. Tell the
man to go about his business. I'll have no
mall bills this morning and I'll not be perse-
cuted."
Mary retreated precipitately. Clara raised
her long eye-lashes.
"Do you know, Luke" she said, demurely.-I
.. think yor should do just as Freddy does-lie
fat on the floor and kick your heels against the
CARPET for a while. It's an excellent escape
valve when your choler gets the better of you,"
Luke gave his mischievous sister-in-law a
glance that ought TO have anpihilated her, and