National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-10-22
Turning the Tables.

There were pots OF fpurple-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 trim, compact little
woman, with bright brown halr, and
eyes to match, and a resOlute mouth
that somehow carried out the ex-
preston of u nose that our French
neighbOrs phrase 'retr0rse.' Mary
Haven had character-that you
might see at glance. ..'.,i.
AS she sat there selecting a pen,
and unscrewing the silver top of
her inkstand the door opened very
softly, and a full-moOned face APP
peared. HF.j 'f+ 1sF1S
MRS. Haven, mem, if you please.'
Yes said Mrs. Haven, descry-
ing at once by the infallible barome.
ter of a woman's ear the rising thun-
der-stOrm in the domestic atmOs-
phere. -..s.. F.....tt...,E
what is it cook 2 .,r .-'..i .t
It's not that you are Kind mis-
tress, mem,' said the cook twisting
the hem of her checked apron, the
wages is good, not TO say company
is allowed once week, and Sunday
evenings always Oat, bnt there are
some things flesh and blood can't
stand, no more they can't, and !
hain't no patience with such doings,
and it you please to suit. yourself
mem, at months warnin'--' 91
| why cook, what is the matter =
'Some can abide meddlin with,
mem, and some can't-and If the
barrel Of mackerel sets on the wrong
corner, and the sugar boxes ain't
kept covered proper, it's'the mistress
should tell rue of it, and not the
master, and if Mr. Haven wants
me to cook mem, well and good, but
wont stay in the same kitchen =
| And cook .fOunced out inaltreat-
ing her apron, having had her say.
| Mrs. Haven flushed scarlet. She
rose and went down stairs to the
cellar, where her husband, minus
his coat was endeavoring to move a
huge washing machine.
you see Bridget he called out,
this is the worst possible place the
thing could stand in, and-why
Hrs. Haven, is it your o.
'Yes, it is L. said Mrs. Haven, q
thought you had gone to your office
Henry ar- r.+
i am going presently said Mr.
Haven 'but you see Mary, every
) thing down here is ut skies aud
sevens. It's well come down here
occasionally. Cook has no more
economy than wild savage, and
Bridget puts every thing precisely
where it shouldn't bc. My deal
have you looked over the gr0cen
u bill for a month";
NO, haven't said Mrs. Haven
well, it's quite alarming. Their
mnst bca leak somewhere--and tha
reminds me--the molasses is drip
ping mt the rate of half a pinta day
= Bridget and cook stood by, mul
muring dark discomfort. Mrs. LA
ven was more annoyed than sh
cared to express.
= Il will see to it, she said.
< 'But you don't see to it my dear
st ! found box of stale eggs on til
top shelf-cggs my dear, that ar
completely wasted when eggs ar
five cents apiece"
: Mrs. Haven turned and wen
up stairs again with a round re
= SPOT glowing on either cheek-sli
nal peuons of the disturbance Will
in. She was not a faultlcss ange
= any more than other women are, IAN
she was very much out OF temper
-, as she walked up and down I'll
" room with her hands behind her,an
the brown eyes glittering with a
: ominous sparkle. -.
q MARY, have you seen my meme
randumbOok y asked herhusban'
: as he was pulling OH his gloves.
no l have not. Probably yO
will find it on the pantry shelf,
under Bridget's washing machine
}. answered Mary shortly. l.- -fH
~ NOW puss, you are out OF ter
w. per- said Mr.. Haven good h,,mon
4 iy,'and how very unreasonable th'
a., is of yOu.' rl bog .remyR bug o..
sKIenry,i said Mrs. Haven, layi,
VI one laUd aplealingly on his sho''
~ del, and looking mp into his f,sce, ~
y, don't know how it morufes 81
*, annoys me, to have YOU Interfere
!. my domestic afihirs = L.. !. p. 80.
u " Aren't we q Arm, Henry Hav'
Ne; & wife = he asked coolly, and q
/, not our interests idcnticalr
'Ycs; but Henry Haven has \
department, and bis wife ought
: have hcrs.' 2 ''-'
= .vhSts all nonsense my love-
silenry, will you Obligc me
,cc leaving these domestic concerns
ork my own mal,agementf ~ Wv u
Il would do much to Oblige "
my dear Mary, but l shalt not n
v, .,le that point, he said, IN he "
I" his departure, leaving MrS. Hav
" indignadt and meditative r.
Bndget's voice broke out VI
+" Celtic accent upon her reverie.
'" ,Pleasc ma'au,, found this lit
blnck book tclliud the flour barr
Thank you, Bridget; tits LEI
=, Ilavcn's.' .f..... ..er .'tI,