Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-18
HOW THE CHILDREN GOT FREAK
EAST.

Mamma was so tired, An unusual num-
Der OF household duties had made her day a
very hard one, and now at night she leaned
In the big chair with such a weary look in
her eyes that loving Nettie saw 1t and said:
Mamma, have you had hard day?''
Eyes, dear, very"
"Why can't we have a servant, like other
folks?' broke In impetuous Robbie.
the sadness deepened.
"Well, when I'm a big man I'll work for
you," said Robbie, braveiy
Mamma gave MIN a grateful look.
All at once Robbie's bright eyes espiei
mammals arm chair. The motion was evil
IDENTIFY for him to leave The room. and with
art worthy of an older head, he said, "Well,
i guess I'll go and find my top" and walked
out OF the Kitchen wondering what IL all
meant.
He had Tot long TO wait. Nettie soon ap-
peared with shining face, and then ensued
such an animated whispering, that mamma,
In the adjoining room, must have thought
that some terrible plot was brewing
For some unknown reason the children
did not sleep very sOundly that night, and
as the early sun began TO peep into their
room, wide-awake Robbie, from his little
bed, called softly.
"MOst time. Nettie?"
Eyes" said Nettie, brisllly, "time to be-
gin;' with which mysterious words she
hastily began to dress. Shoes in hand, the
children stole nOiselessly down the stairs
Now, Nettie, member you said L might
make the fire."
YES; but Robbie, wish you would let
me. know you can't do it,
"Can," said Robbie stoutly, in no wise
disposed TO yield his rights.
"Wen run down the cellar and bring up
the things told you last night, while set
Robbie soon returned, putting under his
heavy load, and there was silence in the
kitchen for some time.
Nettfe dexterously set the table quite to
her own satisfaction, despite the alarming
CHATTER OF the dishes. She broke only two
plates and one cup during the operation, and
congratulated herself upon having done so
well.
Robbie's mysterious silence, and a strong
smell of smoke, combined To draw Nettie to
the kitchen, and she could not resist laugh
ing atthe boys cOmical aspect.
He was kneeling before the stove, blowing
like an animated bellows his Cheeks dis
tended and red as two rosy apples with his
exertions. He looked up as Nettie entered,
with distressed face and black dab on the
end of his funny little nose.
Nettie shrieked, and then clapped her
hands over her mouth as she thought of the
sleeping mother above.
why, Robbie what's the matter?"
matter ,nough," said Robbie. testify.
Nettie removed the stove lids and peered
81 You've forgotten the charcoal" then with
a grasp, "why, Robbie Stacy. as sure's I'm
alive the back draught is shut!''
Robbie stared shamefacedly at her.
"Here, you run down and get the char
coal, while 1 clean out this mess, aud be
quiet, or mammall 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 the children
had put more fuel outside the stove than in
"Now, Robbie, you 60 and feed the chick
ems while L get breakfast" said Nettie.
wisely thinking that Robbie's room was bet
ter than his company.
He came back in about fifteen minutes.
my, Nettie, what's burning" exclaimed
"My toast" answered Nettie, with flushed
face. ~ forgot 1t, and she scraped vigorous
ly at the hard, brown slice.
There, does that look bad?"
NO" said Robbie, ''Only kind OF mus
81 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 I'M
der her manifold cares.
The tea-kettle was soon singing its cheer
full song, and Nettie's depressed spirits rose
under the enlivening effects of il Is music.
~ wish could cook meat" she said pres
"Pooh, 1 can," said confident Robbie.
"Just pour some water In pan; put the
meat In, and let 1t splitter till It's done. III
"No." said prudent Nettie, somewhat
doubtful of Robbies recipe which he deliver
ed SO solemnly; "we'n wait till some other
"The tea is boiling" screamed Robbie, ex-
citedly; al see the smoke"
That's steam; now, Robbie, we're all
ready, you call mamma" ari her little face
beamed with satisfaction.
So RObbie's boots went crea king nOisily ND
the stairs and entered the room where mann
ma lay with closed eyes, but a suspicious
smile on her lips, to all appearances tran
Mamma, wake up! Beekfus' is ready
shouted Robbie, as like a very dirty, rosy
cherub he bent over her.
Mamma opened her eyes sleepny.
what, Robbie?"
"why, it's as'prise. Isn't you s'prised,
mammal
Mamma allowed that she was, and, get
ting up, began TO dress nimbly, wondering If
the dears supposed that she had slept through
all their talk and CHATTER.
Robbie, impatient, hurried her, and as
soon as she was ready, and down stairs be-
fore her In great glee, calling to expectant
Mamma followed after, and when she en-
tered the room stopped to kiss the flushed
face OF Nettie, saying:
"Well, little woman, this is a surprise.,'
in a tone which more than repaid the child
for her mornings trouble.
They sat down to the table, and mamma
crockery and other evidences of the "s'p prise"
Bless their dear little hearts, not a word
but of praise would she say.
$50 my children wanted Tn help me-" she
nate toast.
ayes, mamma, we knew you were so tired
last night"
"Did you see my jolly fire, mammal" burst
forth Robbie.
mo, dear, but must see 1t the first thing
after breakfast. What did you make, Net
tie, tea or coffee?"
Tea" said NettIe, with dancing eyes.
Mamma commenced to pour II out, but
suddenly stopped and leaned back, striving
In vain 10 check the laughter which would
come. Nettie stared aghast. Was mamma
crazy?
"Nettle," she, said. as soon as she could re-
cover her voice sufficiently to speak, "didn't
you forget to put In the tea, my dear?"
Poor Nettie; 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-
Then In her CHEEKY way she began to relate
some funny stories of her own plumbers when
young no usekeeper, and Nettie forgot her
own morti ncation in q hearty laugh.
So the breakfast ended merrily after all.
In HIS LECTURE In Kenosha, on ssThe Cir
You Love-" Brother Huntley says: HE
should love her and let his love for her be
known. ia woman is loved she wants 10 to
be known TO the world" Unless the CIR, Is