Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-26
"Oh, Katie! I'm so sorry! Fll buy Won

lit would never be the one | earned"
Our nerves were probably somewhat un-
strung-we were so tired-for could not
help crying in sympathy, and we must
! nave presented rather lachrymose ap-
pearance when father and Tom came in.
"Halloa!" exclaimed that incorrigible
brother, what's going on--a second del
uge?"
40, Toni" said Nell, ruefully, give
been and gone and done it, this time"
"What smashed Lady Rates idol.
| Well, that aoas bad job. But come, Kate;
little cement will fix it out better than a
whole barrel Of tears.'
hate 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
! slttlng-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 -
said Nell yawning and stretching, as the
rising bell sounded Saturday morning.
"Do you think we can finish today"
queried doubtfully, as l buttoned up my
| boots.
1--WE must" declared Nell, facing round
| quickly, brush finland "there shan't be a
| speck of dust in this house to weigh on
| my conscience tomorrow if l can help
| it,
swell, / guess we can bring it, if moth
er can help" l assented. "I'm glad it's
| pleasant day; the weather does make
such difference in housekeeping.
Come, girls; buckle to'-time flies"
| II 1n1 ,r.x
door as she passed
"Brevity, thy name is Katherine" paro-
| died Nell, as she opened the door and
scampered after her.
| Yes, it was a mercy the sun shone that
| Gay. 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.
mo, haven'tr she said, hastily, push
ing it from her; take it away! Pm just
as amiable as | can be!'
Kate laughed, and peace was once more
restored.
Nothing special occurred that day
Mother put her shoulder to the wheel, and
by teatime 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 a few tiny drops
moistened the whiting rs | 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 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 tioor-her favorite seat, blythe
way-leaned her head on Sues pillow,
where she could watch the fitting color
in her cheeks and the rare smile steal
over her wistful, patient face. Mother
occupied the post of honor on the OPP
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
SON | 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
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 l.
"a nest of cooling doves couldn't have
been more peaceful" added Tom.
"What, even my little spit-fire kept her
temper?n 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,
eve 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; | don't think we ever quite
finished in four days before said Kate,
slowly.
Since you find the plan works so WELL"
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
per-" said father, as he resumed his read
| ing.
mo, father, hat you shall mott" ex-
claimed Tom. 1--WE must celebrate our
victory, girls, and I'll send up the oysters
Monday morning, and you must get up a
royal good supper"
| And a royal good one it was. Each
| contributed her share. Nell the chocolate
cake, which WIS her specially; Kate the
| wineielly, and the biscuits and sponge
cake; but the browning feature OF the ia
bic was the charming center-plece arrang-
ed by Susie's def fingers of fern and au-
tumn leaves Father surprised US by
basket of luscious grapes, and mother stew
ed, scoloped and fried Toms oysters, 1t
was a merry company that gathered
around this feast of good things" and
Toms toast, to The Rival of Barnum's
Happy Family" brought down the house.
Rural New Yorker.
How to Guard Againts and Treat