The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-09

a black daub on the end Of his funny lit
tie nose.
Ne!tie shrieked, and then clasped her
hands over her mouth as she thought Of
the sleeping mother above.
"Why Robbie, what's the matter?'
"Matter 'nough," said Robbie, testify,
Fire won't burn.n
Nettie removed the stove lids and
peered into the smoky depths, soon ex.
claiming, "You've forgotten the char.
Goa" then with u gasp, "why, Robbie
Stacy, as sure's Pm alive the back
draugh il shutw
Robbie stared shameiacedly at her.
"Herc, YOU run down aud get the char
coal, while clean out this mess, and be
quiet, or mama'll be down"
Robbie glad Of an excuse to get away,
trOtted of nimbly.
With their united efforts the fire was
soon burning brightly, but the floor was
strewn with coal, ashes, and bits OF
wood.
In fact, firmly believe that tho chill
dren had put more fuel outside the stove
than in it.
"Now, Robbie, you 60 and feed the
chickens while get breakfast said Net
tie, wisely thinking that Robbie's room
was better than his company.
He came back in about fifteen minutes.
"My, Nettie, what's BURNING" exclaim-
ed he, shifting the air,
my toast" answered Nettie, with
flushed face. II forgot it," and she scra-
ped vigorously at the hard, brown
slice.
There, does that look bad2'
mo- said Robbie, "only kind OF
mussy,"
~I must make some tea; mamma likes
tea. Robbie, wish your boots did not
make quite so much noise" her temper
growing irritable like many another
housewives under her manifold cares.
The tea.kettle was soon singing its
cheerful song, and Nettie's depressed
spirits rose under the enlivenlng effects OF
its music,
~ wish could cook meat" she said
presently.
"Pooh! | can" said confident Robbie.
Gust pour some water in a pan; put the
meat in, and let it splutter till it's done.
III do it,
mo-" said prudent Nettie, somewhat
doubtful of RobbiO's recipe, which he de-
livered 80 sOlemnly; "we'll wait for some
other time for that"
"Thc tea ia boiling" screamed Robbie
exCitedly; ~ see the smoke"
"Thaps steam; now Robbie, we're all
ready, you call mamma" and her little
face beamed with satisfaction.
So RObbie's boots went Creaking noisily
up the stairs and entered the room where
mamma lay with closed eyes, but sus-
plcious smile on her lips, to all appear
ances TRANQUILITY sleeping, Il
Mamma, wake upl BeCkfus' Is ready"
shouted Robbie, as like a very dirty, rosy
cherub he bent over her.
Mamma opened her eyes sleepily.
"What RobbieT
"Why It's as'Priso. I1n't you sprised
Mamma allowed that she was, and, get
ting up, began to dress nimbly, wonder
ing II the dears supposed that she had
slept through all their talk and Clatter.
Robbie, impatient, hurried her, and as
soon az she was ready, ran down stairs be.
fore her in great gIee, calling to expect.
ant Nettie, "We're coming"
Mamma followed after, and when she
entered the room stopped to kiss the
flushed face Of Nettie, saying; II
"Well, little woman, this is n surprise "
in tone which more than repaid the
child for her mornings trouble.
They sat down to the little table, and
mamma finally closed her eyes to bits Of
broken Crockery and other evidences Of
the "s'prise."
bless their dear little hearts, not
word but Of praise would she say. i
80 my children wanted to help me"
she observed, taking n piece Of Nettie's
unfortunate toast.
ayes, mamma, we knew you were so
tired last night" AL
"Dil you see my jolly fire, mNmmaT
burst forth Robbie.
"NO, dear, but | must see 1t the first
thing after breakfast. What did you
make, Nettie, tea or coffee ?"
",rea, said Nettie, with dancing eyes.
Mamma commenced to pour II ont, but
stopped and leaned back, Striy-
ing in vain TO check the laughter which |
uOulL come. NettiC stared aghast. Was
mamma crazy? 81
"Nettic," she said, as soon as she could
recover her voice sufficiently to speak,
"lidn't you forget to put in the lea, my |
dear"
Poor Netty; she looked ready to burst
into tears at Robbie's loud laugh, when
mamma added kindly, "Never mind, dear;
older people than you make worse mis-
takes"
Then in her CHEEKY way she began TO
relate some funny stories OF her own
blunders when n young hOusekeeper, and
Nettie forgot her own modification In
hearty laugh.
So the breakfast ended merrily after
all.
eINhunIAI ANN GIMME RcIAL-