Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-14

VI
the morrow.
The curtains having been taken
down must be replaced, and though
Bridget proved successful in washing
them, Lydia, fastidious young house
keeper that she was, would trust no
Celtic fingers with ironing and hanging
them. Her zeal and tact exceeded her
physical strength, however, so the cur
tains looked very fresh and cool when
they were done, and che very warm
and tired. She was glad to lie down
upon the sofa and rest for an hour,
watching, meanwhile, the little house
over the street. The two small faces
pressed close to the window, surveying
their new surroundings with round
eyed wonder; the older and paler face
further back in the room, was only Wis
ible occasionally, as it was lifted from
its pillow; and Uncle Pete passing in
and out in a slow, solemn way, awk-
wardly intent upon various household
matters, interested, amused and touch
ed her. Again she said earnestly to
Nell
What an uncomfortable place to be
sick in. We really must go and see
her as soon as we can find chance
Perhaps we might help or cheer her in
some way"
They grew quite accustomed, during
the next day or two to Dicks visits. He
came now upon one GRAND, now upon
another, and sometimes with so nearly
none at all, that Lydia fancied liking
to come was his chief motive.
| Chow is Nan this morning?" she
asked once, when the black eyes looked
in upon her as she stood by table COW
cred with all the materials for cake
making
"Worse, I guess like as anyway"
was the rather uncertain reply, the eyes
rather too intent upon the process of
beating eggs to froth to even look up.
"I mean to come and see her, some
day, -, ;, ;,
then volunteered the information
"She looks over here lots when she's
sittin' up; she says she likes to-"
The vision of sad, weary sufferer,
watching with sad, longing thoughts, a
bright, pleasant home, that told SO
plainly of different and happier lot,
fitted through Lydia's mind. Did this
woman feel such things in anyway as
she should she questioned, glancing
down at her wrapper, as if meditating
the propriety of running over then, as
she was. The next moment her eye
rested upon the table-cakes, pies and
all sorts of luxuries to be conjUred up,
and company coming the next day
She really had no time
"Dick," she said, producing glass
of tempting jelly. will you carry this
over to Nan? Maybe she will like it. y
cali of us like them," answered
Dick, regarding it with evident favor.
Yes; but this is for Nan, because she
is sick.''
"Don't We never eat EN- when We
amt sick?" questioned Dick, curiously.
A provoking query.
Sometimes" answered Lydia, brief
ly, and Nell laughed.
"Well, I'll take 'em over" Dick
picked it up carelessly, as if he had lost
his interest in it, and departed slowly.
We do good to our fellow mortals
from q far higher motive than any ex-
pectation of gratitude at least we think
we do;-yet anything like unthankful-
ness often stops our efforts as efectu-
ally as if its reverse had been the sole
and only fruit we were laboring for. In
her slight vexation Lydia lost, almost
unconsciously, any desire to pay her
promised visit that day. Such odd and
queer people they must be, if Dick was
any specimen! She would go some
time, when she could, but it was scarce.
ly likely they would care much about it
anyway.
The oven and high culinary art &C
complished wonders that day, and Ly-
dia viewed her trophies with compla-
cent eye. She had succeeded in carry
ing out her plans, and preparing for
her guests in her own dainty fashion,
and she was now quite satisfied and
ready to receive them. Her hospitali-
ty was always graceful, and Brante felt
proud of her and of his cosy nest of a
home as he introduced the strangers
there. If the "wise, specialized gentle
men {" from whose appreciation Nell
had expected so little, did not admir-
ingly notice all the little details, they
felt the pleasant effect of the whole,
and enjoyed themselves immensely.
The convention was a grand success
large, animated, with many speakers
who pointed out eloquently what
ought to be done, and few who desig-
mated briefly something worth doing;
and they were all enthusiastic in the
cause and delighted to be together.
They had three days of hearty good
time, and resolved unanimously, that
the town which had received them
was one of the most desirable places
for such a convocation, and its people
entitled to all thanks for their gracious
and cordial hospitality. None express
ed this feeling more warmly than the
guests of Brante Garnet, and SO pleas
ant had the brief acquaintance proved,
] that the parting was almost that of
friendship.
"And now," said Brante, when Lydia
had watched the retreating forms with
more regret in her face than she
could have believed possible a few