The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-10-01
Select Mistellang,
courtship and Cleaning House.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

seemed absolutely to quiver in the radiant
glow of the autumn sunshine, and the grapes
whose amethystine clusters blushed through
the trellis of cliuging leaves, grew deeper
in color and more bloomy, as if they bad
stolen the imperial dye of a thousand pur-
pie sunsets and brilliant dawns, as the sun
mounted higher and higher, in the cloud
less dome of heaven. No frescoed ceiling,
hung with jeweled pendants was ever more
beautiful than this arbor of grape-leaves
where the light and shadow danced in fitful
arabesques with every moving wind-and
so thought Richard Mayfeld, as he came
slowly up the garden path that led to his
brothers house.
The mansion itself, however, ,was far from
psesentng the gala aspect which prevailed
all nature, and our hero's countenance un-
derwent ludicrous transformation, as he
eyed rne yawning windows and wide open
doors.
by all the powels,' said he to himself,
if Isabel isn't cleaning house again Well,
women are the most unaccountable crea-
lures do believe they delight in turning
things upside dcwn,and making themselves,
and the rest of the word uncomfortable.
What's the use of choking people with dust,
and deluging 'em with soap aud water twice
year However, let the dear enigmas have
their own way. I'm sure l am the last per-
son in the world to object!'
With these philosophical reflections vet
in his mind, Mr.. Mayfeld deftly threaded
his way through colony of whitewssh
pals and lime kettles that surrounded the
front door, and entered upon the scene ct
action. 1t was quite plain from the shout
with which the children greeted his appear
anee, that he was general favorite.
Hello, uncle Dick, we're cleaning house
cried Master Henry Augustus MayfeId,
who was mounted astride Of a doubled up
feather bed, castigating it fearfully with
his mothers best silk parasol.
'Ain't it splendid, Uncle Dick p exclim-
Miss Julia, who was endeavoring to 'pry
out the principle of sound from thirty
dollar music box, by introducing carving
knife into its interor works, while Mrs. May
field, half distracted by calls from divers
directions, was totally unconscious of the
mischief being wrought.
Dick, | am so puzzled and annoyed
she said. Here is John called to the city
by pressing lawsuit, and the whole house
upside down =
Thought that was what you ladies liked
said Dick, perching himself upon the top
of the dining table, and reacuing a shell
basket from The destructive grasp of the
smallest Mayfeld of all.
'And my cook has gone, and the fire
won't burn, and the wall-whiteners haven't
come, this m morniug, and you know the sew
imp society is to be here tomorrow night
and Dick, what shall do p
Don't fret p said Richard, soothingly
I'll make the fire burn, or I'll know the
reason why ;.snd l can finish the ceiling
ryoun
'You?'
yes, me Didn't l whiten my own room
at college, when we boys had smoked it into
the color of az old sniff box And then III
tack the carpet down, aud see about putting
those dislocated bedsteads together
But, Dick, you must be too tired after
dancing until twelve o'clock at the picnic
last night
Me, tired Fidllestick Where's the re.
FACTORY stove?
The very fire was not proof against Dicks
sunny determination. 1t broke into cheer
fuf blaze the moment he attacked its citidel,
and Isabel's face frightened simultaneously.
The skill with which he next erected
scaffoldipg, and mounted thereon, with a
panoply of white-wash pals and brushes,
was perfectly astounding, the more so, as
his slender figures, rather pale complexion;
aristocratically small feet and hands, convey
ed the idea of one who was adapted only to
Broadway pavements and glittering ball
rooms.
Il suppose the workmen didn't leave
their wardrobes, when they went away last
evening, Bell?' he asked, when he had
scaled the rather perilous height.
NO. said bis sister-in-law, laughing.
Then just hand up that old shetland
a piece of the bed, cord yonder, Now, don't
you admire my tout ensembleP