Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-07-25
TURNING THE TABLES.

Breakfast had just been cleared away and
the little sittin G. room was very bright and
cheerful in the yellow flood of the April sun.
shine. There were pots of purple-blossom.
ed violets in the window seat, and blue
ribboned guitar lying on the sofa, and books
piled on the table, and close by the fire Mrs.
Haven had seated herself at her desk to write
some letters.
She was trim, compact little woman,
with bright brown hair, and eyes to match
and resolute mouth that somehow carried
out the expression ola nose that our French
neighbors phrase "retrouse." Mary Haven
had a character that you might see at dis
lance
AS she sat there selecting her pen, and
unscrewing the silver top Of her inkstand,
the door opened very softly, and round
full moon face appeared:
Mrs. Haven, mem. if you please
YES said Mary Haven, deserving at
once by the infallible barometer of wo-
mans ear the rising thunder storm in the
domestic atmosphere below What is it.
cook ?
It's not that you are not kind mistress,
men, said the cook, twisting the hem of
her checked apron, and the wages is good,
not to say company allowed once week.
and Sunday evenings always ours but
there are some things flesh and blood can't
stand, no more they can't mem; and hahn t
no patience with such doin's, and if you
please suit yourself, mem, at a month
warnin-'
Why, cook, what is the matter ?
Some can abide meddlin' with, mem,
and some can't; and if the barrel O mack.
erel sets on the wrong corner an the sugar
boxes amt kept covered proper, it's the mis-
tress should tell me Of it, not the master.
an if Mr.. Haven wants to be cock. men,
well and good but I won't stay in the same
kitchen ?
And cook founced out, maltreating her
apron, having her say
Mrs Haven flushed scarlet She arose
and went down stairs to the cellar, where
her husband. minus his coat, was endeavor-
ing to move huge washing machine.
You see. Bridget he called out, this
is the worst possible place the thing could
stand in, aud-why, Mary, is it you?
Yes, it is T. said Mrs. Haven 1
thought you had gone to your office, Henry?
Pm going presently said Mr.. Haven
But you see, Mary, everything down here
is by six and sevens It's well I come down
occasionally Cook has no more economy
than wild savage, and Bridget puts every.
thing where it shouldn't be. Ny dear, have
you looked over the grocer's bill for a
month 2
No, I haven't said Mrs Haven
We'll, it's quite alarming There must
be leak somewhere and that reminds me
the molasses key is dripping at the rate Of
half pint day.
4 will see to it, she said.
But you don't see to it, my dear
found box of stale eggs on the top shelf
eggs my dear, that are completely wasted
when eggs are five cents piece
Mrs. Haven turned and went up stairs
again, with round, red spot glowing on
either cheek, signal pennons of the disturb
ance within. Sue was not faultless az
gel, any more than other woman are, ano
she was very much out of temper, as she
walked up and down the room with bel
hands behind her, and her brown eyes gilt
tering with an ominous sparkle
Mary. have you seen my memorandum
hook p asked her husband, pulling on hi'
gloves.
No, I have not Probably you will fine
it on the pantry shelf, or under Bridget's
machine, answered Mary. shortly.
Now, pu-s, you are out of temper, sale
Mr.. Haven. good humofedly, and how
very unreasonable that is Of you "
| Henry said Mrs. Haven, laying ont
hand appealipgly on his shoulder, and look
ing up in his face, you don't know how
mortides and apnoys me to have you inter
fere in my domestic affairs
Aren't we firm, Henry Haven 4
Wife 2 beasked, coolly, land are not GU
interests identical ?
Yes; but Henry Haven has his depart
ment, and his wife ought to have hers
That's all nonsense. my love.
Henry you will oblige me by leaving
these domestic concerns to my own manage
ment?'
L would do much to oblige you, my dea
Mary but shall not concede that polnt,
he said, as he took his departure, leaving
Mrs Haven very indignant and medltatlve
Bridget's voice broke with Celtic acoen
upon her reverie.
Please, ma'am. found this little blac
book behind the -four barrel
Thank you, Bridget; it is Mr. Haven s
The. glanced mechanically at its pages
Bridget disappeared. The column devote
to that day was full of closely written memo
randa
See Kartwyn & Daley about the hous
iu 18th street do not let them have it TO
81 200. Call at McAllister's and orde
the green oilcloth instead Of the buff one to
the Office floor. Tell Martin to proceed d
rectly with the suit in Russell VS.. Russell. :
/ ind al ,,Ok ~ &M1t