National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-01-27
F.r that Iniin he fed
TITTEEN MINUTES TOO SOON.

The sun lad almost left the eastern
wul3wof Mrs Crews kitchen, rs she sat
01a low seat, with a willow basket oil the
d'7- beside her, patiently asserting huge
peofcarpet rags, and putting the pieces
red, yellow, blue and black in separate
Traps, ready to be tied up into bundles.
Vl the floor sat the two-year-old baby
N ~a,chlng the proceedings with great inte-
n hst, and sometimes working away as busily
4, mamma herself but whose tiny fingers
were, unfortunately, more Of a hindrance
N than help. Over the fire ,he kettle and
dnle--pot were boiling briskly, while from
n t-e o,en sayory odor issued forth of the
so)l things within.
As the forenoon waned. Mrs. Grey
a glanced anxlouslv at thh clock, from time
To- time, but kept steadily at work. over
seeing the cooking of the dinner at the
same time, \ look of satisfaction rested
ol hcr countenance as the great pile of rags
gradually diminished in size and finally
disappeared, a.d the pieces Of different
c'.orN were all ready to be tied up and put
lvav
Just quarter to twelve she said to
herself g shall have time to put these
away, set the table, and have dinner pre-
c'ey at twelve"
lAIs had been a busy forenoon with
Mrs Grey, She had risen earlier than
usual had performed her household duties
with more than usual dispatch, and by
S'1I deal OF close calculation had gained
aA hour for thus work As every moment
counts where the work of family is to be
00le by one pair Of hands, she thought
'~at little extra effort IL making car
Pet would save q vast deal of time now
spent IN scrubbing and cleaning, and then,
'o5 the room would look 50 much more
"H'eiul and pleasant % II was with
~l'l Satlsllction that she 10 Jked upon
-T mornings work, as being the first step
.aid such desirable end.
hIt Just as she rose from her seat she
'o'aeI out Of the window and saw her
~L'lnd coming up the path to the house /
y dear said she, Henry has come,
.5Di dinner is not ready. What shall
Now to most wives the coming Of the .
--'olnd few moments before dinner is
a'' matter of such fearful Importance as
" cause disarrangement of the whole
-'Nehold economy, but Mr.. Grey always
'@.s''ed dinner TO be ready at the moment
y. 4l, coming, whether before or alter the
usual Ao lr' and his wife, who was a timid
'3i5'n' ,.i'n stood greatly in awe Of her hus-
and deemed it the most awful thing
v ylc world in any way to cross his
'r1'9 and thus offend him.
" she hurried to the stove. lifted the
.GsNy dinner pots, somewhat changed
,1J ,.JF places that they might boil faster,
Ia tn1 gave the titc a vigorous stirring, which,
'ue way, was all unnecessary, for the
hwy INV "3S burning before just as brightly rs
sl a and the dinner was already cook
=, ~ .len hastily brushing the carpet-rags
H.. up together, she crammed ;nto the bas-
I3,la ana rushed with it into the bedroom.
5,,'p ''Ie Annie playfully caught holl Of her
a'ys' as she passed, and her mother being
dr,s- wv great hurry to notice her she was
r,,i -7eI along step 'ud fell ever back :
III ~, n'C.'ing her head a, ainst chair. .
R,l',W followed a scene of confusion.
r,oti Iond screams mingled with the /,
e&clamations Of pity and regret, :
The Fainly tried to soothe her. and in
f.. must CT It all Mr.. Grey came in, with !,
,,;I a0"n on BIS brow, and IN a stern tone /.
n T. ~, " nat Is all this7 Why isn't dinner !
# i,i. =. Is all ready, Henry you shall have
Io,' H, as soon as can take it up But see
ANNE ANNE has hurt herself" 7
,,v;r ever mind her; she'll soon get over :
,a am IN hurry. Seems to ne 7
.ber, br'gr & nave my meals when | want s
res,a1yes yes; Henry, sometimes you do. for I
i ,ri. | waited full hour for you; but '
Ia, y = quite twelve yet didn't expect Z
~ Deiore twelve" =
3, -. ale clock is too slow, know" said n
gong to it and moving the hands +,
iMa5re, now it is twelve.n !,
- rs. Grey made no reply. but resolutely i
ny Annie, who was still sobbing and o
,o,,rs. ,.,,s down in chair, turned away and 7
en'ed taking up the dinner. In 3