The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-06-26

which she commented upon very freely.
!" 1t seems to me, Frank, that your
wife must bo very careless house.
keeper, to start of in such hurry, and
never even whit to see il was coming.
Why, suppose l had not arrived this
afternoon, there would havo been abso.
lutcly no head to tho house."
"But Nellie was anxious to get to her
mother as soon rs possible, you know" "
said Frank, not altogether pleased.
"Of course, that's all very proper,
but still married woman Inns much to
consider, and her first and paramount
duty is always to her husband and her
home. And true wife will be careful
to avoid unnecessary expenses"
J Her son WINGED n little at this appli.
cation o. the very maxim which he Ind
so often quoted to poor Nellie MS his
mothers guiding principle, but he made
no reply. She went on:
81 suppose il is about your dinner
hour, isn't it, Frankl The fact is, I an
rather hungry, for wouldn't spend n
dollar for dinner on tho boat, and I had
only n sandwich and m apple in my
travelling bag, but | shall enjoy your
dinner nil tho more"
"ThRt reminds mo, mother" said
Frank, rs ho helped her ont Of tho car
riage Mt his own door, "thAt We nro to
have n dinner party to night, six of our
most intimate friends, whom Nellie i'll
vitcd to cclcbrate tho day."
"But things won't be ready, now she
has gono SO suddenly"
"Oh, our servants will attend to all
that," said Frank; but his mother inter
ruptod him with gesture Of dismay.
"Just rs I expected" sho exclaimed;
"just as expected! My poor boy,
you are living ut ruinous wastcful ratc,
and l must try my best to reform your
wife's domestic management anl show
you how to get along. Why, Frank,
you must remember how differently l
managed my household when you were
n boy ut home, and how I looked after
everything myself. Do you happen to
know il Nellio goes into her kitchen
Immediately after breakfast every day,
!ls careful housewife should?"
"Why, tho fact is" said Frank, fairly
stammering as lie explained, "that l
have had n iancy-that Nellie-in short,
she has been in the habit OF taking a
walk every morning, and she has gener.
ally walked down with INC part OF the
way-her health, you know - And here
ho broke down entirely, for his mothers
eyes were fixed full upon him with q
look OF such astonishment md diSap.
proval that ho fairly wilted.
81 suppose she spends the afternoon
in domestic duties"
"In the afternoon she generally goes
out to pay visits or attend receptions OF
matinces, or things of that sort. You
know, mother, Nellie has q large circle
Of friends, and her social duties must
not be neglected."
"And when does sbe ever find time
for making your shirts OR her own dress.
cs, or oven for making cake aud pies and
preserves2" was the next question.
Frank almost laughed rs hc replied:
"Tho fact is, mother, things arc man.
aged very differently in tho city, and rs
we have three servants, Nellie does not
ind it necessary to spend her time in
sewing or cooking. Besides, 1 want her
to keep up her music, and sho practices
several hours each day"
"You don't mean to tell me that You,
two in family, keep three girls to wait
upon youl Oh, Frank Frank! how
you have changed 1 only wish l had
come hero when you begun housckcep'
ing, md might have taught your vile
economy; but now ] am afraid it is toe
late."
In due timc tho guests arrived. Many
werc tho regrets over Nellie's absence.
which, in truth, castan undeniable cloud
over the entertainment, and much gym
pathy was expressed by all but the din
ner was IN entire success in gastrono
mic point Of view, and tho host was
well pleased with the concentrations il
called forth. Still he could not help SEQ
ing that his mother was disappearing,
and as ono course succeeded another,
her dismay and astonishment became
more evident.
As soon rs possible he managed m
adjournment to tho par!or, where his
mother. despite his entreating look, de-
clined to follow, aud after some pleasant
chat his friends departed.
As tho door closed on the Inst one,
Frank, hearing loud voices in the din
ing-room, returned thither to find his
mother and Mary engaged in angry dis
cussion rs to tho proper method OF dis
posing of the relics Of the feast. Much
rs Frank was annoyed by the instant
appeal which both parties made to him
rs he entered the room, he WIS yet toe
dutiiul son to hesitate.
"While your mistress il absent,
Nary" hc said to tho excited waitress,
81 shall expect you to obey my mother
but, Of course, Mrs. Chester will return
in day or two, and then shc will Take
everything into her own hands again,
Until then my mother is tho head Of the
house."
"Frank, never dreamed OF sucl
wasteiulness Us Two seen tonight. Why,
there was enough left Of TINT dinner tc
feed you all for week to come, and thai
girl was determined 10 put it all dowr
stairs, where, daro say, it would al
havo been given away by tomorrow
night. But I was determined to stol
that, so malo her bring the things al
here to me, and I've got them undel
lock and key. With proper economy -
But Frank, sick OF tho very word, hat
takcn his departure, and SO tho lecture
ended, Mrs. Chester going to her room
to plan reforms, Fnuk indulging in {
cigar, while ho wondered how Nellie wa
getting on, and wished most earnestl,
TINT she was at homo again.
q Enrh aail hO lnlcfrlly. tn him