Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-08-20

Robert Thompson was not an unkiud
man only thoughtless. He was a type
of very large class, more especially far.
mers, who did not feel the need of life's
rugged pathway being softened with Aow-
ers. Absorbed in his stock, his crops and
his money getting, he did not realize how
monotonous was his wifc's life at home.
He had his recrcations-the weekly
market, gossip with his brother farmers,
and politicsy she had nothing but work
and care. He did not realize the truth
that the worn, shabby home told upon her /;
that she needed something to come to it
as yearning want of life. And so, as the
years had gone on, she grew dissatisfied at
heart, hardly understanding what she
wished for or what she did not wish the
intensely unlovcly, the prosy, dull life
somewhat souring her spirits. Now and
again, when she gave back short or Bit
ter rctort, Robert wondered she used to
be So sweet-tempered.
All through the long forenoon Mrs.
Thompson nurscd her wrath. Robert was
selfish aud unreasonable, and she did not
care who knew it. She would not have
the sewing club at the farm, come what
might. The potatoes got boiled; the big
piece of beef was simmcring on the fire.
But before 12 o'clock had we'll struck, she
saw her husband and his two friends com.
ing through the orchard, with red and
hungry faces. Mr.. Thompson always
wanted his dinner broiling hot, and she
fastened to lay the cloth in the cool room
of the kitchen. Frank and Charley, her
two boys, came rushing in from school,
each striving to claim her attention.
She was heated, tired, and very cross.
"Why isn't dinner ready "" demanded
Mr.. Thompson, not seeing it actually on
the table when he entered. 81 told you
I had no waste time today" he added
angrily in his hurry and hunger. "If 1
hadn't anything to do in the forenoon but
get dinner I'D have it ready in time, I
know"
A bitter retort was springing to her
lips, but ere it could be spoken Charley
c!amorous'y intcrposed, pushing his new
copy book before her eyes.
Look, mother, am going into SEN
tenccs now, like Frank. 1t is my first
copy, The master wrote it and he said
I was to get it by heart, too, and always
it. DO read it, mother"
Mrs. Thompson, her arms full of the
cracked old mulberry plates paused a mo-
ment to let her eyes fall on the new copy.
" A soft answer turneth away wrath"
was what she read. 1t was not that the
proverb was ncw-shc had read it scores
of times-but there was something in its
appropriateness to the present moment
that fell, like cool sweet wind on her
heated impulses.
"I will have it ready in a moment,
Robert" she said quietly.
Mr.. Robert Thompson looked up. Evil
dcntly he had not expected so pleasant
reply. If the truth must be told, he had
thought a good bit that morning of his
wife's request about the white ware. Not
in the way of granting it, but that she
would probably be sulky over it when
they got into dinner.
cit doesn't feel here as it does in the
blazing meadow" he remarked to his
friends. as they went into the north room
to dinner. Folks that can keep in doors
this weather have an easy time Of it; they
don't know what heat is"
Mrs. Thompson wondered whether this
was slap at her. Her face looked scarlet
enough for any amount Of heat. As to sit
ting down with them, she had enough to
do to wait on the party. 1t is washing
day, and Mollie must not be called.
"This butter must have been kept in
the kitchen, its like OIL" said MIR. Thomp-
SON.
II took it out Of the cellar since you
came in; I will go down and get some
more if you think had better" was the
reply given pleasantly.
"Ncver mind. Well, declare! do
you cali this meat boiled?" went on Mr..
Thompson as he began to carve. "lts
harder than rock. IF meat has to be
cooked pretty fresh this weather, it need
not be like this"
"I tried to have it nice, Robert" she
said, striving to choke down rising sob
AS we'll as an angry word.