Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-07-15
NJ iSc cELL A N Eous,
TURNING THE TABLES,

80 hEaNtASI bad Just been cleared a1yay
and the little sitting room was very bright
and cheerful in the yellow flood of the A pri1
sunshine. There were pots of purple bios
somed 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 a
resolnte mouth that somehow carried out the
expression of a nose that our French neigh
bors phrase 're,rouse." Mary Haven had a
character that you might see at a distance.
AS she sat there selecting her pen, and un>
screwing the silver top Of her inkstand the
door opened very softly, and round fullmoon
face appeared:
"Mrs. Haven, mem, if you please"
les," said Mary Haven, deserving at once
ny the infallible barometer of q woman's ear
the rising thunder storm in the domestic at
mosphere below. "What is it, cook ?''
cts 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 Suns
day evenings always ours but there are some
things flesh and blood can't stand. no more
they can't mem; and hain't no patience
with such doins, and if you please suit yours
self, mem, at months warnin-"
''Why, cook, what is tho matter?"
'Some can abide meddlin' with. mem. and
some can't; and if the barrel O. mackerel sets
on the wrong corner, an the sugar boxes amt
kept covered proper, it's the mistress should
tell me OF 1t, not the master, an if Mr.. Haven
wants to be cook, mem, well and good but
won't stay in the same kitchen y
Aud cook flounced 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; wns endeavoring to
move huge washing>machine,
You see. Bridget" he called out, ssthis is
the worst possible place the thing could stand
in, and-why, Mary, is it you 2"
"1es, it is II said Mrs Haven. at
thought you had gone 30 your office. Henry?,
I'm going presently" said Mr.. Haven
stBnt you see, Mary. everything down here is
by six and sevens. It's we'll come down oc>
casionally. Cook has no more economy than
wild savage. and Bridget puts everything
where it shouldn't be. My dear, have YOU
looked over the grocer's bill for month ?''
mo, haven't" said Mrs. Haven.
"Well, it's quite alarming. There must be
leak somewhere and tina. reminds the
'nolasses keg is dripping at the rate of half
pint day."
81 will see to it." she said
"But you don't see to it. my dear! I found
box of stale eggs on the top shelf-eegs. nv
dear, that are completely wasted, when eggs
are five cents apiece! ~
Mrs. Haven turned and went up stairs
again, with round, red spot glowing on
either cheek, signal pennons of the disturb
ancc within. She was not faultess angel.
any more than other woman are, and she was
very much out of temper, as she walked up
and down the room with her hands behind
her, and her brown eyes glitterins with an
ominous sparkle.
'Mary, have you seen my memorandum
book p asked her husband, pulling on his
gloves.
"No, have not. Probably vou will find
it on the pantry shelf or under Bridget's ma
chine" answered Mary, shortly.
''Now, puss; you are out of temper" said
Mr.. Haven, good humoredly s'aud how yery
unreasonable that is of ynu"
Henry" said Mrs. Haven, laying ons
hand appealinely on his shoulder; and looking
up in his face, "you don't know how it NOR
titles and annoys me to have you interfere in
my domestic affairs"
''Aren't we firm, Henry Haven l. Wife,"
he asked, coolly; land are not our interests
identical ?"
"Yes; but Henry Haven has his depart
ment, and his wife ought to have hers"
''Ihat,s all nonsense, nv love-
Henry, you will oblige me by leaving
these domestic concerns to my own manage