The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-07-14

this conversation was taking place
one, that arguing with his mother was
very different from arguing with his
wife, inasmuch as 1t required much
more self-control on his part the other,
that he had found himself obliged TO
use some of the very arguments which
he had so often condemned when poor
Nellie advanced them. So, To change
the subject, he declared 1t was quite
time to dress, and FASTENED his mother
to her room, while he made his own
preparations.
In due time the guests arrived.
Many were the regrets over Nelie's abb
sence, which, in truth, cast an undeni-
able cloud over the entertainment, and
much sympathy was expressed by all;
but the dinner was an entire success in
gastronomic point of view, and the
host was well please with the common
dations il called forth. Still he could
not help seeing that his mother was dis
approving, and as one course succeeded
another, her dismay and establishment
became more and more evident.
As soon rs possible he managed an
adjournment to the parlor, where his
mother, despite his entreating look, de
clined to follow, and after some pleas
ant chat his friends departed.
As the door closed on the last one,
Frank, hearing loud voices in the din
ing-room, returned thither 10 find his
mother and Mary engaged in angry dis
cussion as TO the proper method OF dis
posing of the relics of the feast. Much
as Frank was annoyed by the instant
appeal which both parties made TO him
a he entered the room, he was yet too
dutiful q son TO hesitate.
"While your mistress is absent,
Mary he said 10 the excited waitress,
a. shall expect YOU 10 obey my moth
err; but, OF course, Mrs. Chester will
return in day or two, and then she
viii take every thing into her own hands
again. Until then my mother is the
head Of the house"
/ Mary looked unequivocal defiance AZ
the usurper, but she left the room with
out another word, while Mrs. Chester,
with a triumphant air, began.
"Well, Frank, | never dreamed Of
such wastefulness as I've seen tonight.
Why, there was enough left Of that din
ner TO feed you all for a week TO come,
and that girl was determined to put il
all away down stairs, where, dare say.
il would all have been given away by
tomorrow night. But was determined
to stop that, so I made her bring the
things all here TO me, and I've got them
snder lock and key. With proper
economy
But Frank, sick Of the very word, had
taken his departure, and SO the lecture
ended, Mrs. Chester going to her room
to plan her reforms, Frank indulging
in cigar, while he wondered how Mel
lie was getting on, and wished most
earnestly that She was At home again.
"For,n said he, dolefully, TO himself,
.sI'm afraid shall have to break up
housekeeping if she stays more than
three days"
If Nellie could have heard him.
Morning brought a telegram fromNel-
lie to say that her mother, though very
i'll, was out of danger and announcing
her own intention of staying with the
invalid for some time. Later in the
day letter confirmed the telegram.
81 am sure you will get along nicely
without me, dear Frank, since YOU have
Your mother" wrote Nellie; land as
am really very much needed here,
know You will not object if prolong
my stay to a fortnight
"A fortnight" groaned Frank
sswhy couldn't she have said a year
IL would have been about as reasona.
BILE. But know what III do; will e
after her when the week Is out, and
bring her home"
. When Frank reached his home thai
evening he was surprised to find that
every thing was dark The hall "a.
| was not lit; neither was the fire whose
, cheerful radiance always made hi:
: pleasant library doubly pleasant. Stun
, bling through the dark room, he finally
succeeded in getting a match and strik
ing it, but when he would have applied
the flame to the drop-light, why, tha
was nowhere to be seen. Hastily light
/ ing a side-burner, he rang the bell FOL
Mary, but before she could answer hi,
summons his mother appeared.
Opening the door which connected
the library with the dining-room, sh,
said.
"Oh, Frank, is that you2 Come RICH
/ in here and get warm, for il is cole
night, ! know"
" But where is Mary? And what doe
; she mean by neglectingt TO light the fire
! And Halloo, who put the drop-light il
, here? Why, mother, don't you know
t that belongs in the library?n Anc
1 Frank was about 70 ring another bel
and call Mary to strict account, wheI
, his mnf her Sfnpppl him
al told her not to make n fire there
1 Frank, for as long as You and j arr
9 alone, we might just as well sit in her,
{ and save fuel and light SO made he
bring in the drop-light and your easy
chair, and I've been sitting here all da,
! myself, to save fire up stairs