Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-09-09
tea is all ready"

tea is all ready"
The table was laid in the back parlor.-
Drawn up before the cheerful fire, with
everything arranged in the most tasteful
and symmetrical manner, it was pleasant
sight to the tired man.
Miriam sat down to the table, busyiag
herself in turning the tea, and all the time
talking in light, happy tone of the occur
rcnces of the day. Although her husband
joined cheerfully in the conversation, it
panied him to see her so gay, for he feared
she little understood how many pleasures
must be denied her in their altered circum-
stances. Tea over, she rose smilingly-
'sHere, John, take baby"
"Why don't you ring for Susan to clear
the table 2" I want to talk with you"
"Wait little while.''
So, futtering about. she carried out the
tea things, restored the room to order, and
then left them together.
She was gone some lime. Baby had
played with papa almost enough, and her
blue eyes looked very sleepy, while the
little rosy mouth quivered ominously before
mamma came in.
CHOW, give me baby; poor child, how
sleepy she is !! Kiss papa goodnight, little
pet-there, now for nice sleep"
She was undressing the child. Mr.. Elem
ming sat in the shadow and watched the
process-watched her while she folded by
the little things, and taking Nelly in her
arms leaned back in her chair, singing
sweetly and soothingly-
Goodnight, my darling,
Mother sweet love
Hush thee, dear baby" etc. etc.
All, it reminded him of his own mother !!
The good, patient, loving mother that watch
ed his infancy; who had been true to him
through all the years of his restless and not
too steady youth, to whom he owed all the
strength of principle and uprightness of his
nature as we'll as the tenderness that becomes
q man towards those dependant on his kind
ness.
The good mother-how she would have
sorrowed over his present loss, but how she
would have smiled at his dependency J.
How all her teachings rose before him as he
heard the dear old nursery song sung to his
child!
At last Nelly fell asleep, and was laid
gently down upon her little bed, while the
mother fingered above her child, smoothing
the blanket over the little form, and gazing
down on the rosy face with unspeakable
tenderness Of eye and lip then, leaving
kiss upon one dimpled hand, she came to
her husband.
CHOW, John, tell me all. What are
your plans ?"
When i. was all plain to her, when he
told her how everything must 60 to his
creditors, aud he had as yet no way open
for support, he feared to see her troubled;
but oh, a woman's heart is strong and fear
less where she loves! She only glanced at
her child with a hopeful smile, and said
nothing.
s'But do you not fear My brave wife
you cannot realize such changed"
"Why should fear? I have you. my
husband we are both young and we'll we
shall not suffer"
"But, Miriam, have you thought how
simply we must live? How hard your du-
ties must be, poor little wife p
Never fear for me. Sfe, l have sent
Susan and Mary away, and [ got the tea
and did the dishes, and my hands are not
tired"
"Why. Minnie !"
"And could not ring for Susan when
you asked me to. I'll be Susan, now. "Will
I suit you ?" Here she dropped low
courtesy with an expression of almost
childish delight at his wonder
Well, in few days the house was sold.
and John Fleming took his wife away
"down town" to board in Scotch family
of no pretentions, but Of responsibility and
real kindness of heart One little room on
ly was theirs, but it was pleasant; not so
much for the prospect from the two large
windows, for that was only limited one of
brick buildings and crowded streets, but for
the sunshine that shone within. Two or
three pictures hung on the wall. presents
made in the early days of their marriage j;
one of them landscape, the others little
children with lovely faces. On "what-
not in the corner stand their books, and va
rious little ornaments lie scattered among
them. On the mantel, over the CRATE, are
few shells, and on the dressing bureau a
few China bottles The carpet is bright in
color and cleanliness; the bed in one corner
is spread with white white curtains drape
TIE windows; sweet faced presider over
all, and baby. Are these not enough to
brighten such q roomq
John found situation as book keeper.
with very small salary, it's true; but, as
Miriam says, This panic will be over soon,
then he can do better"
Many of Miriam's old friends profess to
feel the profoundest pity for her ''terrible
misfortune ;" but then they never come to
see how she bears it. Perhaps if they
should they would have less pity. Proba-
bly, they stay away for fear Of their own
overpowering feelings OF sympathy and
grief Some Of them arc in great danger of
suffering like misfortune. The storm,
alas! is not yet over. Perhaps, then, they
will go to condole with "poor, dear Mrs
Flemming, who lives in that out of the way
place" Wouldn't they be astonished,
though, could they see the serenely happy
face Of Minnie Flemming as she sits at her
sewing, singing so merrily ! wonder if
they would not be surprised to see her, as l
do, sitting by her husband, when his eve
ning's work is over, reading from some
book her needle has earned, or working
while he reads or converses2 What MARI
vel her innocent Joy wonld be that prompt
cd the words "Oh, John, am SO happy
with you! thought it would be hard to
leave our old, dear home /; but said, for
your sake, I would never let you know my
grief, and now think I haze none! To
think am so glad that my needle can help