Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-02-24

I see roll of lint under the piano, and
1 cannot place my mind on anything as
long as that is there, so up she jump
ed and went to the piano, stopped down
and then returned with bit of lint about
the size of three cent bit, saying
Such carelessness in help is unbearable.
| shall yet have to do everything my
self"
1 could not forbear smiling. though
heartily vexed at the interruption. How
ever, made the third attempt, and had
pursued my narrative for nearly half an
hour just as | was in the midst of tell
ing of Amy's bridal, of the return of her
lover, and that the white satin dress
which was to have adorned the fair bride,
had instead been worn for her coffin robe,
my friends mind and eyes began to
wander about the room, and starting up
she exclaimed:
II cannot stand it another minute,
Hattie, for there is fly. Doubtless it
came in when opened the windows to
arrange the blind"
l was indignant. How the little lady
few around, and what chase that fly
led her, now lighting on the top of a
picture frame, then on the mirror, tnen
ascending the top of the wall. Mrs.
Stanley was really getting quite vexed,
as she stood there on tiptoe, vainly try
ing to reach her tormentor with the feath-
er duster which she had seized for a
weapon. was reminded of the fable of
''the gnat and the lion,'
Hattie she said, ''can you not help
me a little Just take your handker-
chief and head it, and when once l can
drive it into the hall, | shall have no
trouble in getting it out of the door.
Thus called to the rescue, | had moth
ing to do but enlist, and with our united
efforts it was driven into the hall, and
the inner door closed, but in opening the
outer door to eject it into the street, ere
this feat could be performed, several
more of its "boon companions entered
, and now the ''hy hunt" was commenced
with fresh vigor. Up stairs and dowr
flew my little hostess, hither and yon
, and at last | was stationed as a sentinel
on the upper landing to prevent any O.
: the ''rebels'' choosing the long passage
5 way beyond for their headquarters,
: and finally the enemy was vanquished
and the insurrection quelled, but | hat
lost the thread of my story, and thinl
$ Mrs. Stanley had, for she said
'Let me see, Hattie, of what were w
t speaking when that disgustful fly cam
S to disturb our comfort 2"
: ''Oh, nothing of any Importance, wa
: my laconic reply. for | was determines
e not to make fourth commencement, ant
e so ended my story of poor little Am
}, Card, her early and sad fate swallowe
e up in the excitement of ''fy hunt. ~
e From my heart 1 pitied Mrs. Georg
Stanley, smodel kousekeeper' that sh
v was.
$ will not weary you by repeatin
d such scenes, for they were of eyeryda
(. occurrence. | do not think we ever hel
r one connected conversation of ha
s hours length during my visit, withot
De imaginary cares intervening to rob it
D. its pleasure and interest. You ma
ID think the picture overdrawn, reader min
but it is not. And in my experience
m have found more Mrs. Stanley's than OF
he though on smaller scale.
< During my stay, Mr.. and Mrs. Sta
Ie ley invited me to accompany them on
irl steamboat excursion, but unfortunate
RI when the day arrived | was sufferil
,e from headache and so remained at HON
SO but urged their enjoying the relaxati'
er the jaunt might afford them, and allc
to me to,be housekeeper. Harry and Lu
ng begged hard to accompany their parent
he Mr.. Stanley seemed disposed to fav
in their wishes, and as | looked into tht
of earnest, pleading faces, l could not ft
ed bear speaking word in their behalf.
* "Well, Mr.. Stanley, if you pref
of Harry and Lucy's company to mine, y
| may take them but l have no idea
NO seeing them running about the steambc
deck as dirty as two little street begga
he | could not be easy moment, . was NJ
sit stanley's reply.
old This decided the matter at once, a
90 as l saw Harry's lip quiver while
,ur vainly strove to keep back his tears, a
,rt- little Lucy hiding her moist eyes in |
two little dimpled hands, | could
Dut check the tears that came to my o
eyes, and | thought as l drew them be
81 to my bosom and said kind words
md cheer to them :-''As much as your mo
rho er loves you. your happiness is but S
me ondary to cleanliness-her idol
it ..What shall we do, Harry, all da.
asked Lucy. .If we could only p
| flowers and make wreaths as the otl
ed boys and girls do, or if could take
re- playthings out of my playhouse
all play with them as Lily Green and
ind san Waters do. or if we could have
tub Of water and sail your boat Tn
the Billy gave you, we would have sucf
ind nice time but we can't do anythi