The Van Buren press., 1875-03-16
MISCELLANY.
Ella Goodwin's Trial.
BY 5. ANNIE FROST.


Ella Goodwin spoke in fretful tone,
and her pretty face was puckercd up into
most dismal frown."
"Anything TO get away from home -
But Will Goodwin was already out Of
hearing. His wife, after a fretful remark
addressed to the walls, to the effect that
she was fool for ever getting married,
took novel from under the sofa cushion
and was soon reading with an air Of alb.
sorbcd interest Baby awoke, and made
the fact shrilly known. An impatient toss
threw the book down again, and baby
was soothed to sleep with gentlcness
strangely at variance with the jerk that
had put the book upon the table
When he slept once more in the cradle,
Ella yawned and again took up her book.
But before she had opened it, there was a
tap at the door, and an elderly lady, with
a sweet, fair face came in.
"Alone? 2" she said, as Ella eagerly
welcomed her, and took or her wraps
II am always alone! Will gets his
meals here"' was the bitter reply. " He
goes to the store as soon as he swnllo ws
his breakfast, and he is always out in the
evening. Now. he is with his brother,
playing dominos.'
Don't you play dominos p
"Yes"
I'D keep him at home to play"
"He would not care to stay. ! suppose
all young married men tire of home, Aunt
Mary?'
Not all But you speak in bitter
tone that pains me, Ella. 1t is not like
you"
81 feel bitter! have no one to talk
to but you, and l never complained be-
fore, but I'm tired Of being alone all the
time Baby fills the day, but novels don /
Gil the evening"
ELLA, since you have spoken to me,
will you let me give you q word Of adj
vice ?"
"YOu know wyou may
"Look in the mirror, dear; then look
raund the room"
Ella obeyed. In the mirror she saw a
slender figure, robed in morning wrap
per. without any collar or cuffs, and not
precisely clean; a face, pretty and ex-
pressive, with a wreath Of golden hair,
loosely knotted into comb, aud decid
edly untidy. The room, handsomely
furnished sitting apartment, was begging
for broom as eloquently as dusty car
pet could beg. Harry's cradle in one
corner balanced a disorderly work table
in another. The center. table was piled
with scellaneous articles, among which
bowl Of bread and milk, and fire. sho.
vel figured conspicuously.
A crimson nush rose on the young
wfe's cheek.
"What is the use of having things nice
when nobody sees them but me, or dres
sing, when will is never at home ?"
&" He might be at home more, if things
were nice, and you we're dressed"
There was silence for q few moments
Then Ella spoke: ;.
partly my fault. Before Harry was born
he was at home more; but have been
careless since then"
"You are not strong, know" Aunt
Mary said very kindly, land baby is a
care, but would try to be dressed ia the
evening And have the room cheerful
Your plane looks as if 1t was never
opened"
at never is."
"Don't you have time to practice p
IL can't plead want of time, Auntic
Jane is one Of the best of servants, and
time hangs upon my hands | am glad
you came in. believe | wanted moral
shaking
Then they talked Of other matters, of
llarry's first tooth, and the baby's nc
complishmcnts, Of the winter fashions,
of feminine interests Of all kinds. The
innate sweetness of Elias temper made
her take her Annts gentle reproof in the
spirit Of love that dictated it. and when
the parting caress was given she whisp-
cred:
"Tll try, auntie, to make home more
attractive for WILL
She was fast asleep. with Harry nestled
in her arms, when win came home, but
the touch Of his lips upon her cheek
reused her.
"Did you have n pleasant evening"
she asked. "Aunt Mary was here. and
left her love for you"
"Charley and played awhile, and then
Mira Creighton dropped in and sang for
us "
"Sho seems to drop in pretty often"
"She isso intimate with the girls"