Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-02-19

sharply. do you suppose you are a
better house-keeper than Essie Why, |
have not friend who does not envy me
the exquisite oroer of my house and my
dainty table"
" Herbert, you surprise me. Only yes
terday heard you say you did wish
there was ever anything fit to eat on the
table"
zone don't expect every word to be
taken literally" said Herbert rather sui
kily, But an hour later, finding a streak
of dust in the sitting-room, he declared
emphatieally at was not fit for pig to
live in"
Coming into it the next morning, he
found the curtains torn down, the car
pets taken up, the floor Uttered with
pals, soap and brushes, and Lima, in a
dismal dress, her hair tied up in a towel,
directing two women, scrubbing vigor-
ously.
Good gracious, what are you doingY"
Cleaning this room"
Why, Essie had the whole house clean
ed till it shone, in the fall, and didn't
make half this muss," he added, con-
temptously.
" Well, said Lima, slowly, 81 thought
this room a marvel of neatness myself.
but when you said it was not fit for the
pigs supposed you wanted it cleaned" I"
The room was well enough was the
curt reply. For mercy's sake don't
turn any more of the house upside
down"
At breakfast tiny tear in Louie's
apron caught her fathers eye, and by
his own angry statement, she never had
a decent stitch of clothes, and he did
wish somebody would see to her."
Two days after, a formidable dry
goods bill was presented at the store, and
Lima explained it in this wise:
You said, Herbert, that Louie hadn't
a decent stitch, and you wished some
body wonld see to her, so / bought her
a complete outfit | could not see any
fault myself, but of course / got more
expensive articles, as you did not like
those already provided. l am glad you
called my attention to the poor, neglected
child"
" Poor, neglected child echoed as
tonished Herbert. Why, Lima, Essie
fairly slaves her life out over those chill
dren. | am sure / never see any better
dressed or neater."
Lima merely shrugged her shoulders,
A month passed. Essie gained strength
in the genial atmosphere surrounding
Louie and her mother, while Lima ruled
Herbert's house with a rod of iron. Her
bert began to experience a sick longing
for Essie's gentle presence. Lima took
him so very literally in all he said, and
yet he could not rebuke her for doing
exactly what he openly wished.
A chair with a tiny spot of dirt being
declared absolutely filthy, was uphol-
stored and vanished at cost of eight
dollars. A dozen new shirts, ESTES
last labor of love, being said to set
like meal-bags," were bestowed upon the
gardener, and new set sent from fur
store. Harry's blocks were
burned at the kitchen fire when Herbert.
upon one, said he "would not
have such rubbish in the house." Every
window was opened after pettish de-
claration that the Groom was as hot as
an oven" and an hour later the stove
was fired up to smothering heat because
he declared it "cold enough to freeze a
polar bear"
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt to correct all short comings and
put the housekeeping upon perfect ba-
sis, Lima in one month nearly doubled
her brothers expenses, and drove him
to the verge of distraction. keeping ac-
curate account of every complaint.
But Essie, well and strong again, was
coming home. On the day of her ex-
pected arrival, Lima, with a solemn face,
invited her brother into the sitting room
for few moments of private conversa-
ion.
Herbert" she said, very gravely, |
have a proposition to make to you.
You are my only brother, and / need |
lot tell you | love you very dearly. 1t
las really grieved me to the heart to see
now much there is to find fault with in
your beautiful home" Herbert twisted |
himself uneasily in his chair, but Lima
You know that mother is very de- /
pendent upon me, Louie having the
louse and children to care for, but |
hink she would sacrifice her own COM
ort for yours. So if you wish, Herbert,
will come here permanently, to keep
hings in order for you"
Here Lima was obliged to pause and
triangle a laugh at Herbert's expression
# utter horror and dismay.