National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-03-17

was CHEEKY and heart-somc,n as Bridg,
would term IT,
But the autocrt took his place al I'll
table with frown.
Carrie, don't ever come TO the tabl
with your hair looking like a crows .ne'
again, he remarked sternly.
go to my room, Carrie, aud wi
brush your hair again presently said mo
ther, as she poured out a cup Of coffee fo
her husband. The hair was brushed, an
Carrie resumed her seat But there wa
no approval, and scarcely any notice, G
her improved appearance, only the hall
sneering remark, "Charley's hair is no
much bcttcr.'
lie might have been gratiiied by seein
the weary mother ascend the long flight O
stairs second time to arrange the lawles
curls which frolic with his baby sste
had disarranged, but Just then n new
source of discomfort presented itself II,
had spoiled the meal for the rest, but il
seemed by no means 10 damage his owl
! appetite, Judging by the manner the fcath
cry cakes disappeared before him, Bu,
one came on shade OF two darker than
the orthodox hue.
Il wish, Mrs. Cady. YOU could instruc,
Bridget to bake cakes without burning
them. Other women manage to have or
ders obeycd by servants. A little more
decision would be of great service to US
A visit to the kitchen followed. and by
the time mother was ready to eat her
breakfast she had no appetite for it, She
took no nourshment all day, though she
drained the ice pitcher more than once.
Nothing seemed to satisfy the raging thirst
which was consuming her.
Supper was farther from perfection than
breakfast had been, and his wiie's silence
and apparent indifference to all he said.
irrltatcd Joseph more than usual Some
sharper remarks than common were made
on her general shortcomings, but il was
like hurlng darts against marble; her heart
seemed turned to stone.
With burning brow she laid her head
upon her pillow, and when morning came
no mother came with it to brighten and
cheer the tamily-room. Mother was toss
ing in deirum, unmindful for once of the
voices of even her beloved children. O.
what confusion that household was thrown
into! Joseph had never realized what she
was To them before. All the light seemed
put out. The children came down stairs
after the rough toilet Brdget's hands had
given them, and huddled shiveringly over
the dull fire. so different from the cheerful
blaze to which they had been accustomed.
The family physician came. and also a
kind neighbor. Mr. Cady stood at the
foot Of the bed, waiting anxiously for the
doctors opinion.
This sickness comes more from the
mind than the body" said the old man
grayely and slowly. II have always found
this phase Of it to spring from mental trou-
bic. If you will listen to her wanderings,
Joseph" he said, a, he fixed his piercing
gray eyes upon him, "you may get clew
% the trouble"
Joseph WINGED It the good doctors
words, for had he not heard that very
morning the moan
so, can do nothing to please him, all /
; wrong whatever | do. There, he is .
bringing a viper now to throw into my
bleeding heart;n and then the maniac
hriek which followed darted like burn
ng arrow through his brain.
.IoScph's eyes were opened as by light
ing flash. He saw his own wretched.
owardly, treatment Of the frail, defense
nsS woman before him, and he could only
'ring his hands in agony.
GLOW will it end, doctor ~ lie asked in
ngush too deep for expression.
" That is more than can say" said the
octor. "SometlmeS the disease is very
nj ,,;,1,,t ;t
atent in a state of settled melancholy
nd derangemcnt."
Either alternative seemed too terrible
} contemplate. Just then Bridget came
} call him to breakfast, but he declined
oing, as he could not eat.
"Then come and mind the children, av
6 plaze, for Eve my own work to do" q
I'd Bridget walked away with an air that '
nd she was not to be tIItied with.
How cheerless and dizzy The room look !
| how forlorn the appearance of the un-
'mbed children Was it her hand that $
rought such magic in her household I
nd yesterday he had found fault over I
nglc disarranged ringlet The memory c
as like pointed arrow now to his awak- $
led heart v
" What muddy coffee, Bridget" he re- a
arked, in disgust.
Then settle it YOURSELF muttered
ridget, as she angrily slammed the door.
For days the struggle for life went on
rs. Cady was still unconscious of all that 6
is passing around her Often, in the 81
lesome midnight, her husband had stood
side her, praying with a depth of feeling b
Ia 4 60 L., Iar a., n n
recognition, one smile of forgiveness. CO
1t if she should be restored to him, could
ife long devotion win back to rim the st
art he felt he must have so widely es- Is
nged How little he knew cf the al
pths OF woman's love. of her readiness to
get all the past, in the blissful present, al
zen once she realized that she was be
ed and appreciated! b
Joseph Cady had been subjected to many y
Mutations from the temper of Bridget, W
o never lost sight of his unkindness to d, d,
mistress, not to speak of sundry reflec- ". "
rs on her honesty he had made in time III
t. He would gladly have discharged
:, but il was not easy TO find new do 60
site, and he knew he must bear with Pe
whims. The lesson was useful to him. ~
went down many degrees in his own cL' 81.
esteem, and that is never hurtfnl to l
:. 1t is the great lesson we have to be ~
ming all our lives, mot to think of
selves more highly than we ought to =
nk" III
lie was never disposed to find fault again re,
ut the mismanagement of servants af- on
his three weeks experience as head of tn
house. He only wondered by what thu
-c his wife had ever been able to get ex,l
much cheerful, valuable service out of op
/ :. .stpbborn IGNORANT machine. - fro
,,o+h;n, ,,-h;snarad 70 his hosom. 1T is Po