Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-06-25

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over her mouth, entreated, ooh, Kate,
Kate, rememberr'
| WhereupOn she burst into tears and sank
in heap on the floor, with her battered
Clytie in her hand. Poor Nell threw her
self on her knees beside her, and put her
arms around her, reiterating through her
tears:
| ooh, Katie! I'm so sorry! I'll buy you
another, indeed [ will"
"No, no." sobbed Kate. 'I don't want
lit would never be the one [ earned. y
Our nerves were probably somewhat un-
strung-We were SO tired-for | could not
help crying in sympathy, and we must
have presented rather lachrymose APP
pearance when father and Tom came in.
"Halloa!" exclaimed that incorrigible
brother, what's going on-a second del
uge?"
| been and gone and done it, this time"
"What smashed Lady Rates idol!
Well, that aods bad job. But come, Kate
a little cement will fix it out better kan a
whole barrel Of tears"
Kate managed rather watery smile,
and then slipped upstairs with her mu-
tilated treasure, and if she was gone a
good while we were careful not to no.
tice it.
! There was no pleasant gathering in the
sitting-room that night, for it took US
nearly all the evening to put things to
rights, and then we girls were glad to take
refuge in bed.
'Thank fortune, this is the last day p
said Nell, yaWning and stretching, as the
rising bell sounded Saturday morning.
"Do you think we can finish to-day?" /
queried, doubtfully, as l buttoned up my
! boots.
eve must" declared Nell, facing round
quickly, brush INLAND; "there shan't be a
speck of dust in this house to weigh on
my conscience tomorrow if can help
it,,
"Well, guess we can bring it, if moth
er can help,'' [ assented. "I'm glad it's
a pleasant day; the weather does make
such a difference in housekeeping.
"Come, girls; buckle to-time flies"
Kate called out giving a thump on our
door as she passed
"Brevity, thy name is Katherine" paro-
died Nell, as she opened the door and
scampered after her.
Yes, it was mercy the sun shOne that
day. AS it was, the work went hard
enough, and only the thought of the end
so near at hand enabled us to persevere.
Kate and Nell had little difference of
opinion at the very outset, the former in
sisting that the kitchen must be left over
for another week, while the latter declared
that every nook and corner should be
cleaned before Sunday if it took her till
twelve o'clock; and the discussion was
getting quite heated, when | rose, went to
the bookcase, and taking down Miss Les
lies "Recipe Book" | laid it solemnly in
Nell's lap.
"No, haven'tp' she said, hastily, push
ing it from her; take it away! Pm just
as amiable as [ can ber'
Kate laughed, and peace was once more
restored.
Nothing special occurred that day.
Mother put her shoulder to the wheel, and
by tea-time everything was done
kitchen and all. The polishing of the
silver fell to my lot and oh how it made
my arm ache! But if few tiny drops
mOistened the whiting as | rubbed away
at the spoons, they only made them shine
the brighter. Nell took upon herself the
kitchen, for fear it wouldn't get done, and
Tom staid at home again and shook the
dining-room carpet. Kate devoted her
self to the finishing Of mothers room, and
mother herself lent helping hand wher-
ever it was needed.
That was a tired but happy group
which gathered in the family room that
evening. Susie, whom father had brought
down for the first time since Wednesday,
/ lay on her couch, which was drawn close
to the right of the crate father in his easy
chair at her head, was reading the evening
paper, while with one hand he stroked
| tenderly Susie's golden curls. Nell, sit
ting on the foor-her favorite seat, blythe
Way-leaned her head on Sues pillow,
| 1x1J,o ha fbo
in her cheeks and the rare smile steal
over her wistful, patient face Mother
occupied the post Of honor on the OBJ
posite side of the CRATE, with Tom by her
side, resting his arm on the back of her
chair in a loving, protecting way; for
Tom was mothers darling, and his man
/ ner to her was more that Of lover than a
son. I lolled in a low, easy chair, almost
too weary to raise my head; while Kate,
our queenly Kate, the pride and center of
our circle-sat gracefully erect, disdain-
/ ing any such weak compromise with
fatigue. We were none of us much in
clined to talk, and there had been quite a
long silence when father suddenly asked,
| as he turned his paper:
''Well, girls, how about that supper?"
/ ooh, father, we have all been SO good,'
said I. s.H f3a ''i'#
"a nest of cooling doves couldn't have
been more peaceful" added Tom.
"What! even my little spit-fre kept her
temper?' said father, roguishly, laying
his hand on Nell's head, and drawing it
back till he could look into her sparkling
| eyes.
'"Well, papa" admitted truthful Nell,
sswe did come dreadfully near losing it
sometimes, but we didn't quite, you see'
"And how much easier the work went
for it,'' [ said.
eyes; l don't think we ever quite
finished in four days before,' said Kate,
! slowly.
''Since you find the plan works so we1l,''
mother remarked gently, suppose you
keep it for every day use?"
"I'm agreed said Nell; "only there
must be no forfeit, for it isn't in human
nature not to give way once in while"
$50 I'm to be cheated out of my sup
PERI" said father, as he resumed his read
| ing.
mo, father, that you shall notr' ex-
claimed Tom owe must celebrate our
H.