Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-11-26
TURNING THE TABLES.

dhu GHC lltOl0 olGtlLS -IOOlu Was very UflSul
and cheerful in the yellow food of the
April sunshine. There were pots of purple
blossomed violets in the window seat, and
a blue-ribboned guitar lying on the sofa,
and books lying on the table, and close by
the fire Mrs. Haven had seated herself
with her desk to write some letters.
She was a trim, compact little woman,
with bright brown hair, and eyes to match
and a resolute mouth that somehow carried
out the expression of a nose that our French
neighbors phrase retrousse. Mary Haven
had character-that you might see at a
glance.
AS she sat there, selecting her pen, and
unscrewing the silver top of her inkstand,
the DIOR opened very softly, and round.
full-mnoned face appeared.
Mrs. Haven, mem, if you please"
EYES," said Mary Haven, deserving at
once 10y the inf allible barometer of wo
mans ear the rising thunderstorm in the
domestic atmosphere. what is it cook p
''It is not that you're not kind mis-
tress, men," said the cook twisting the
hem Of her apron, Sand the wages is good,
not TO say company is allowed once week,
and Sunday evening always out, but there
are some things flesh and blood can't
stand, TO more they can't, mep, and 1
hain't no patience with such doin's, and
if you please to suit yourself, at a month s
Warnin'-"
why, cook, what is the matter 20
''Some can abide m eddlin' with mem,
and some can't-and if the barrel OF mack
erel sets in the wrcng corner, and the SUI
gar boxes are not kept covered proper, it's
the mistress should tell me of it, and not
the master; and if Mr.. Haven wants to be
cook, mem, we'll and good, but I won't stay
stay in the same kitchen -
And cook flounced out, maltreating
the apron, having had her say.
Mrs. Haven flushed scarlet. She arose
and went down stairs to the cellar, where
her husband, minus his coat, was endeay-
oring to remove huge washing machine.
"You see, Bridget" he called out, ''this
is the worst possible place the thing could
stand in, and-why. Mrs. HaYen, is it
you ?"
eyes, it is II said Mrs. Haven, 81
thought you had gone to your Office, Hen
ry."
'sI'm going presently said Mr.. Haven,
"but you see, Mary, everything down here
is at skies and sevens. It's well 1 come
down occasionally. Cook has no more
economy than wild savage, and Bridget
puts everything precisely where it shouldn't
be. My dear. have you looked over the
grocer's bill for month 2"
'sNo, haven't" said Mrs. Haven.
swell, it's quite alarming. There must
be leak somewhere-and that reminds
me-the molasses key is dripping at the
rate of half pint day."
Bridget and cook stood by, murmuring
dark discomfort. Mrs. Haven was more
annoyed than she cared to express.
II will see to it, she said.
"But you don't see to it, my dear /!
found box of stale eggs on the top shelf
eggs, my dear, that are completely wasted
when eggs are Eve cents piece u
Mrs. Haven turned and went up stairs
again with round red spot glowing on
either cheek-signal pennons of the distur.
bance within. She was not a faultless an.
gel, if any other women are, and she was
very mach out Of temper, as she walked
I'D and down the room with her hands BE-
hind her, and the brown eyes glittering
with an ominous sparkle.
"Mary, have you seen my memorandum
book 2" asked her husband, as he entered
pulling on his gloves.
mo, I have not. Probably you'll find
it on the pantry shelf or under Bridget's
washing machine" answered Mary, short.
ly.
"Now, puss, you are out Of temper
said Mr.. Haven, good humoredly, ''aud
how very unreasonable that is of you'll"
"Henry," said Mrs. Haven, laying one
hand appealingly on his shoulder and
looking up into his face, 'fyou don't know
how it mortifes and annoy me to have you
interfere with my domestic affairs,
sAren't we firm, Henry Haven and
Wife?" he asked coolly, "and are not oul
interests identical ?"
eyes but Henry Haven has his depart.
ment. and wife ought to have hers"
sThat's all nonsense, my love-"
| sHenry, will you oblige me by leaving
| the domestic concerns to my own manage
ment?''
II would do much to oblige you, my
dear Mary, but I shall not concede thai
point" he SAID, as he took his departure
! leaving Mrs Haven indignant and medi