The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-05-27
heartily wished that he had never seen
the tiny specks that had raised such
whirlWind about his ears.

the tiny specks that had raised such s
whirlwind about his ears.
1t was quite bedtime for the tive
younger children before the room
was busted to Mrs. Vests satisfaction
and with a Sigh of relief Martin open
ed his evening paper as Faith led
Johnny and Susy out of the room
while Fred and Amy wondered
whether escaping scolding from
papa balanced these unusual demon.
strations from mamma. They were
deeply interested in game of back.
CANNON, as Faith, opening the door
heard Martin say:
''Do stop that rattling of dice! You
children are always making noise.'
Instead of making them a cushion
for the dice to fall upon, or stopping
the annoyance in any of her usual
quiet ways. without irritating the
children, Faith said, sharply:
"Shut up that backgammon board,
and go to bed! I will have have a
little peace somehow"
"Ny DEAR" demonstrated Martin, as
the children tearfully obeyed, "wasn't
you little harsh ?"
''Dear me. Martin, if they were not
disturbing you, what did you say they
were for? I'm sure 1 don't care how
much noise they make!"
Martin subslded behind his paper,
inwardly wondering what could be
the matter with Faith, and if he really
had married a bad tempered woman
after all; but he found no more fault
that night.
Morning found Mrs. West in a
worse temper than the one she retired
with. Martin really had no time to
find out that the beautifully broiled
steak was tough, so rapidly was it
whisked off the table, and mutton
chops ordered; that the eggs were
hard, for they were also put on the
"retired list that the coffee was weak
before it was peremptorily sent away.
There was long, fretful harangue on
the impessibility of finishing Susy's
suit before Johnny would need new
flannels, and the whine with which
the request for money for Fred's books
and Amy's hat was prefaced, produced
Martins pocSet-book in quicker time
than it had made from his pocket to
Faiths hand in thirteen years. He
gave her the money with
est lecture on hard times and her
own extravaganza, and Faith did not
know whether to laugh OF cry over
her triumph.
Coming home to tea, Martin saw
two curly heads bent in earnest con-
sultation in the sitting-roem, and
paused a moment as Susy said, in
heart-broken accents:
'sIt's drefful mis'able, Johnny, dref-
full! L didn't mind papa so much he's
away; but mamma too! Oh, dear!~
cts awfulIer than papa" said five
year old Johnny, 'cause papa's alters
8 :olding, and 'spose he can't help it,
but mamma was SO good alters. Oh,
Susy, 1 wish 1 was big, I'd run away ="
"Oh, Johnny!" gasped Susy, "you
touldnt."
Erred says he will. He says he can't
stand it if mamma is going to be like
papa"
,"I'll won too, them" says Susy and
then her courage gave way. and she
"Oh, it's mis'able! it's
mis'able !"
Martin West turned quietly into his
library and sat down to think. Was
it true? Was he so hideous to his
own children that the greatest calam-
ty they could picture to their childish
was "fsr mamma to be
ike papa?" A knock at the door
aroused him, and in answer to his
'Come in" Jane and Bridget stood
1t the threshold.
''lf you plase," said Jane, "Bridget
and mes come for our wages as eur
wakes up to-day"
"But you're not going to leave, both
Of you 2" cried Mr.. West.
"Yis, sir, We make the bargain, be-
ng sisters, we was to be TUX"
but why are you going? Is your
work too hard %
mo, sir."
"Are you sick ?"
"No, SIR
SIN troubles"
mo, SIR"
"Don't the wages suit your"
"Wcll. Mr.. Wist, if you will haye it,
we can't stand Mrs. Visits temper"
"A saddcr and wiser man, Martin
West answered the summons to tea,
md sat down at the table. Four little
faces, subducd and miserable, sat on
,ithcr side, and facing him, Faith with
| dark scowl.
"What is the matter, dear ?" he vcn-
ured. "You-you look annoyed"
"Matter enough!' snapped Faith
'yox expect me TO do the work of
hrcc women; sewing, housekeeping
md taking care of the children, and
hen when l am nearly tired to death,
ell me ! am cross"
II didn't say you were crcss."
a
. nice time here, If L took ysu TO task
very time youwere annoyed. If you
we're ever satisfied, | wouldn't care"
This was a hOmc-thrust, and Faith
remblel as she made il. But Martin
)uttered his waflles in silence, and
here was long, uncomfortable pause
rhe children ate hastily, glancinS TIM
dly at their parents, and stealing