Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-08-07
THE WIFES MISTAKE.

THE WIFE'S MISTAKE.
Mrs. Hopgood prided herself on being
one of the best housckeepers. She was
one of those rapid housewives who pur-
sue an atom of dust as a hunter might
pursue stag. No bold-natured fly ever
dared to buzz within her dainty walls.
No cat purrcd upon her hearth-stonc,
Plants were tabooed because their leaf
lets would fall. Canary-birds were
ruthlessly excluded lest they should scat
ter seed. Sunshine was regarded rs an
arch enemy. at brings flies, and fades
the carpets" said Mrs Hopgood,
As for Mr.. Hopgood and the children,
they lived mostly in the kitchen.
81 can't have the boys muddy boots
tramping over the carpets, and the girls
sewing in the parlor," said Mrs. Hopgood.
Gas for Hopgood, he don't care where he
sits. One place is as good as another
where he is concerned"
The Hopgood family also took their
meals in the kitchen.
"rve got dining room as nice rs any
body's," said Mrs. Hopgood, with a
real carved oak side board, with mar
BILE top, and silver, polished till it's bet
ter than any loOking-glass; but where's
the use of turning things all upside
down, Just for ones own family? Com
mon crockery ware and good bone
handled knives are just as good for every
day use"
Mama" said Elsie Hopgood, a cherry
checked Girl of sixteen, II should like to
sit in the parlor sometimes. Mrs. Mont
fort and her daughter Use theirs every
evening, and it looks so pretty and
pleasant there"
STUFF and nonsense ~ said Mrs. Hop
good, sharply. Il keep house myself
after my own fashion, and give others
leave to do the same"
But, mama," pleaded Elsie. Il was
thinking how ! should like to invite all
the girls here some evening, and have
tea, and afterwards little dance. I've
been asked out so many times without
responding, that I'm really ashamed to
CO."
Then you had better stay at home"
said Mrs. Hopgood, polishing vigorously
away at the stem of her silver card-re-
ceiver. Il think see myself, with all
the young folks in town, dancing on my
Brussels carpet, and cake crumbs and
melted cream daubed over everything"
Elsie made TO answer, but her coun-
tenance fell.
IL wish ma was like any one else," she
said to herself, the tears obscuring her
eyes. Il wish she was like Kate
Pickett's mother, who lets her have
company every Thursday evening.
John Elton wants me to marry him. If
| was married, | could have a house of
my own, and do as pleased y
Mother" said Mr.. Hopgood, a week
or two afterward, with troubled face,
''is it true that our Elsie is out walking
with john Elton, evening after eve
";',-." ~ lisa worthless, dissipated fel-
} fit associate for any girl"
upon u.s. don't know" said
rood, with perturbed face.
ed that she was with Kate
Clara Montfort. Pm great
usy with picking and house
run at a giddy girls heels the
But Pm going to commence
o-morrow, and then I'll war
we her enough to do, to keep
mischief"
)" said Isaac Hepgood, grave
ines | think that five made
title more attractive to our
enser petulantly interrupted
81 suppose you'd like us to
a,Lr, like Mrs Montfort; or a
tern like the little Mickfords.
rem haven't been brought up
Hopgood said no more.
pgood was, to use her own eX-
in the thick of the house
the next day, with the carpets
o heaps, the floors spattered
uds, and her head tiedup with
handkerchief, when the door
opened.
are of my pail of soapsuds and
led she, shrilly. COLTS you,
%
mother, it's me-" said Alex
eldest son, who had just gone
ness as junior partner to his
| say-do leave off washing
md attend to me! Ryerson's
my old chum, you know-only
ay, and I've asked him to dim
nnerw almost screamed Mrs.
dropping her brush in con-
/. alexander Hopgood, are
Y? Ofcourse i can't have him
Just look at the condition
is in."
won't mind that, mother.
is thoroughly good fellow.
him sit down to pot-luck with
,fus, any"
Ii do nothing of the sort, Alex
said Mrs. Hopgood, severely
ing her lips. "You know / do
owe ofyourinviting company at
e, still less at such a period as
f YOU have been fool enough to
/, you may get out of the scrape
way you can."
mother"
MT want any more discussion on
ject," said Mrs. Hopgood, dab.
say with the brush.
Alexander went out, slamming
ieofgs!p quoth Alexander Hop