The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-04-06


"Fred witted boy" said Allie, prompt
ly. "Dolly's arm all so" and she point
a tragic finger to the unhappy victim of
the late conflict lying peacefully hors du
combat beside the little heap of saw-dust.
dolly sick; must make e bleed wun,"
quoth Fred, doggedly, from the sofa.
Mrs. Rochester flushed an amused glance
at her brother.
"Never mind" said she, consolingly,
"Allie shall go out in auntie's carriage to-
morrow and get new dolly with long
curls and blue eyes, if she viii be good
and not cry or tease Fred. Percy you
had better let me put that child in bed"
"1f you please, mum, I'm quite capable
OF doing" said nurse, sulkily, as Mrs.
Rochester preceded to undress the boy /;
''and I knows the children's ways, Mr..
Keith"
Bring me his things, poor little man"
said Mrs Rocesfer, ignoring the woman's
remark. But nurse was an old servant,
and stood her ground.
"You amt my missus," said she, coarse
ly. "Mr. Keith knows I've took care of
them twins ever since they was born
three years come Christmas 1 can
take care of 'em yet. We servants don't
want no fine stuck-up ladies coming"
"Havs you fnished?" interrupted her
master, sternly; 'leaye the room. If you
have been here for three years, you are
growing ;ulpabiy negligent of late; and
L pe-1nit no one II my house to address
Mrs Rochester in hat maaaeY. Very
WE'LL" as she muttered something still
more saucy, and flung down the band
ages, "you may come to me for your
wages in half an hour; you leave the
house tomorrow
Bang went the door, and then Percy
turned to his sister in comical dismay.
"She was worse than the old man of
the sea- said he, his eyes twinkling mer-
rily; "but heaven knows how 1 am ever
going to do without her. Bedlam will
reign in undisturbed glory, and Allie and
Fred become worse every day"
"Where's that nice-looking house.
maid?" asked his sister, laughing; "she
might do until you found some one else.
Call her up now, Percy, and after I get
your twin monkeys safely in bed, we can
go down and talk over your troublesome
domestic arrangements in the library"
In few moments the girl, Maggie,
made her appearance, and after much
coaxing and bribing on the part of papa
and aunt Fanny, the twins were esconc-
ed in their cribs, tucked in snugly, and
promised visit from papa after dinner:
and then the brother and sister went
down stairs.
"No hight" said Percy, impatiently, as
he stumbled over library chair; $50
ames doesn't half do his work, of co1rse.
You never saw such an organized house
hold as mine, Fanny Here are the
matches, after all-it's wonder
"You do need somebody to look after
you" said she, merrily, as he ruefully
displayed his ink-stained manuscript.
Then, quite soberly, Percy, I wish you
would be persuaded to marry again.
, Have you thought Of what Frank and I
said to you last week?"
He flung himself down in a chair and
almost scowled at her.
"Don't, Fanny! To me there is nothing
more revolving than these cut-and-dried
matches family affairs"
Nonsense" she said, cheerfully.
"But it isn't nonsense. You all know
how my first marriage came about. Poor
Laura's only charm was her angelic face
and what weary time 1 had for eigh-
teen months. paid dearly enough for
my boyish marriage, Fanny"
Il know it" she answered, softly; ''but
for that very reason you might be happy
now with woman thoroughly suited to
YOU: and Grace Elliot have many more
!. traits to recommend her than her fortune.
Il don't care for that" naughty. 81
have alredy a suficiency of property,
together with my growing reputation as
an author, to be above marrying for mere
|, money. 1 by no means deny that 1 have
thought of some time marrying again