Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-05-18
the will of Providence )" and she drew a


deep sigh.
Mr.. Robert looked at her as if expect.
ing to see symptoms Of insanity, but said
nothing; and presently Jennie, the eldest
daughter, broke tho silence by saying
" Mother there is to be grand picnic
down by the bend, next week, with boat.
rides. swings, croquet, and everything de.
lightful, and Harry Winuy has invited
Nell and me to go. Can we ?"
"Ask your father" was the laconic an.
swer.
Father, canwe go?" continued Jennie
with disheartened look.
"No!" emphatically replied Mr.. Ches
ter catching joyfully at an opportunity oi
showing his authority. II hope l can
provide better employment for my daugh.
ters than running about to pic-nics and
such folderol as some others do"-eyeine
his wife furtively to note the effects of his
words.
But Mrs. G. took up the thread of his
remarks with animation, saying, Certainly
you cannot go! Pic-nics, at the best, are
improper places for young ladies to attend
and as your father very properly remarks
you had much better be at home with your
knitting. If any one but Harry Wiuny
had invited you, it would be different; but
now you had better give up all thoughts oI
going.
Indeed, madam" said Mr.. Chester
balancing bit Of potato on his fork, "may
I enquire what are your objections to Mr.
Harry Wiuny?-a young man in whose
care can trust my daughters without q
fear. That he is to be their escort is the
only palliating circu instance in the case"
"Oh, I've nothing against him" replied
Mrs. c., " onl y" and the unfinished sen.
tence left a world of meaning uuexpressed.
"But as you say, my dear, it is very
foolish for the girls to be running abou,
when there is SO much useful employment
for them at home"
"Fm not so sure Of that" replied he
" Young people need rest and recreation,
aud my daughters shall not be cooped up
at home while others of their age are en-.
joying themselves, and they shall 60, in
spite of your objections with triumph.
ant look at Mrs. C.
"Oh, if you insist upon it, I suppose
they must co." said Mrs. Chester, hastily
suppressing dimple which threatened to
appear in her cheek "but they've moth.
ing fit to wear, and we cannot afford them
new suits"
"Please don't decide the matter SO has
tily, madam" replied Mr.. Chester, blaudly,
persuaded that he was annoying Mrs. G.
" What kind Of dresses do you need, Jcn.
ME?
ooh, buff linen would be just the
thing" replied Jennie. Mary aud Lutte
Martin have got the loveliest suits off q
piece of Durea's but then we can wear our
old muslins," she added, regretfully.
sand you must" said Mrs. Chester
decidedly. The suits would cost at least
twenty dollars made up, and we cauuo,
afford it."
"Allow me to become the judge of that
will you, Mrs, Chester ?" replied heI
spouse, serenely. 81 want my girls to look
as we'll as others in their position, and
consider myself best qualified to regulate
the family expenses )" and taking out hi.
pocket-book he counted out the required
sum-an amount which heretofore had
only been granted after long siege o.
teasing, pouts and tears.
Mr.. Chester, now in remarkable goot
humor. iuished his dinner without discov
ering that the butter was too salt or tn,
pudding too fresh--an oversight duly
commented on in Mrs. C.'s soliloquy, as il
hcr chamber she reviewed this, the frs
trial of her new system of reformation.
The next day at dinner Mr.. Chester,
face assumed its usual expression before
storm, and as he carved the turkey. will
his nose upturncd, tho vial of bis wratl
was opened. "Onious again, after. m,
repeated requests that the dressing b,
seasoned without it; but that is all tn,
respect to my wishes I meet in tAi
house."
"Bridget," cried Mrs. c., "briug dist
and spoon Immediately, and remove all tn,
dressing from the turkey"
Bridget came. and while she obeyed th,
order, her mistress continued; 81 Tn
sure I have given my orders forcibl,