Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-03-03

EWEFH0 TaI0eF LF6LQ0lOUElW. Yet she
almost lost her temper to-day-thought
her life full of worry and perplexITv.
and filled up with commonplace. All!
what could she do TO glorify it-min-
lister to this bruised soul-pouF in
balm and comfort?
''Win you not take off your bonnet
and stay the afternoon with me 20 she
i asked kindly.
Il can't TO- day; thank you. Martha's
going in town at four, and I haven't
but few minutes. How are the ba-
i bies ~
"B..th we'll and asleep"
Nell thought to herself that if it was
not for disturbing them, she would
take Mrs Hamilton upstairs and sew
\ while they conversed. She might
bring the coat down, but she hated to
litter he clean parlor. So they talked
awhile; then Nelly brought in some
cake and glass of currant wine. When
she saw how famished the poor old
1 lady appeared, she went for plate of
simple farina pudding left from their
dinner.
''That's Bertie's favorite, and you
must taste of it, she said with pecu-
liar entreaty in her voice, quite as if
/ the favor was to her.
Mrs. Hamilton praised it, and thank
ed her many times. for she had not re-
linquished her lunch of dry bread at
Hbome.
Z" God will reward you for all your
| goodness to poor old woman" she
/ rejoined, with tears in her eyes For
it always seemed as if Martha grudged
her eve V mouthful.
The clock struck three as Nelly shut
the hall door. BERTHE was out of bed,
and Tot soon woke.
Now be very good children, and
play little while, then we will all go
out"
"And ride in the horse-cart?n shout
| ed Berthe.
Perhaps. Don't be quite so noisy,
/ little man. See, can't you help TOtty
count her blocks 2''
| She managed at length to darn the
coat, but the sleeve must have a piece
set in it. 1t had been smaller than the
armhole in the first place. She robbed
| a pocket facing for this, and was going
along bravely, when the doOr-bell rang
again.
An avalanche of company. Cousins
and second cousins, three from little
town above, two from the far West,
who had not seen Nelly since she was
a little girl, nut who had known and
loved Nellie's mother. Besides them,
Oliver and Tom, who had gone down
to the city, but would be up to tea.
Nelly dressed the children in a trice, |
slipped into white, and blue ribbons,
giving despairing glance at the coat.
1t was the old man of the mountains
to her. She had half a mind now to
pack it off to the tailoT's. But what
folly to pay dollar or two for the |
rest, when she had done it nearly half
herseIfi
There was a great deal of talking
Bert and Tot were admired, and /
Cousin Sarah, who was quite frequent |
visitor, must display their pretty gar
meDts, and Nelly's nest OF a house.
Dear, dear you are so much like |
your mother - was Cousin Milly's con- /
stant comment. 81 remember visit /
ing her when you were about as large |
as BERTHE here. How the years do pass /
You have a good husband, too, I hear, |
and that is the great thing to make a
woman happy
Nelly co1ored warmly. g. He Is good, !"
she said.
Was it really? Nell was growing
morbid and heterodox. If she had
stay and visit with her friends, and if
she did not need to mend old clothes,
and make everything, and
Cousin MiIly, her mothers cousin it
was, sweet silver-haired wOman~of
sixty, rambled on in her soft, purring
fashion about love and thoughtfuln
and wifely duties which were going SO
out of date with the new tangled no.
tions- People We're not as happy as
they used TO be, and all because
The jingle of the door-bell interrupt
ed the flow of words.
Mrs. Grier's girl. Nelly felt as if she
could strike her in the face.
"Oh, pleas m, Mrs. Grier wonJle erred
if you had gone out? Miss Haines
wants to see the blouse so much. She
don't know how to go on, and Mrs.
Grier is in an awful hurry because she
can't have her tomorrow. And she
thought you might send it in"
~ have house full of compapy.''-
Then Nelly considered moment. The
probability was that Mrs. Grier would
poster her in some fashion until she
had the garment, and all because she
was too selfish and stingy-that was
the truth-to buy her own patterns.
And Nelly had to go on living here in
the neighborhood, and it would prove
very unpleasant to have Mrs. Grier
enmity.
"Wait moment" She took Sarah
and Bertle and ran upstairs putting
the child in his Sunday best, and ex-
planned the case to her cousin. as her
fingers fastened butt, ms nimbIy
Now if you will please take him in
there and bring him back as soon a.
you can, and not let the children put
their dirty hands upon his clothes, ]
not think of anything better, for it
really is not safe to send him in with
the girl.'
Sarah went with Master BERTHE, and
returned safely, when Miss Haines had
made an ample examination.
" But saw piece of bread and mo-
lasses lying in one chair, " she reported
with a laugh.
1t puzzles me how they ever man
age to look decent. Bera ie always is
sight to behold after he has been in
there.''
Nell went at her supper, tying on a
big kitchen apron. suppose a good
many pc. pie would have said it was no
trouble 10 her, because the little hands
were so deft and nimble. But she did
have to work hard and fast to make
everything me jatst light. How lucky
that she had baked that morning :.
The supper was a succesS, Stephen was
sweet-humOred and hospitable, and
the cousins enjoyed their visit worder-
fully.
Nelly let her table stand, The guests
must leave early in the evening. Mil
ly, and Rachel, and Oliver would not
be likely to get around again, as they
mnst go West in the course of the next
fortnight. The night was to be spent
with some relatives in the city, and
couldn't Nelly come to tea the next
day at another cousins?
Sh. partly promised. At eight they
began to don their bOnnets and shawls,
but nearly half an hour elapsed before
the last good by was said
"I'll walk down a little distance with
them" exclaimed Stephen, lighting a
cigar. Then have promised to see
Manning about insurance"
their usual bedtime. BERTHE WAS ner-
vously WIDE awake and full of mis-
chief, and Tot cross. 1t was nine o'clock
before she could get them settled, then
went to the kitchen.
All the nice china and choice silver
was out. It certainly would not do to
leave it until morning. Her d ,shwater
was still hot, though the fire had gone
to ashes.
She was such neat and clever house.
wife, this little brown-eyed Nell
though think she did have taste for :
something besides washing dishes, and
would have enjoy ed Stephens moon I
light walk wonderfully, as well as the
conversation he and Manning had over
a late Scotch history, that placed the
beautiful and unfortunate Mary in a
still fferent light; for the insurance
business had been disposed of in ten :
minutes. But rhe polished her glass,
china, and silver, and placed them in ,
the closet, putting all in order for j