Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-05-04
For the Telegraph.
A VISIT TO MRS. b.
BY AMELIA THRoPP.

BY AMELIA THRoPP.
''Now, my DEAR said Mrs. B, ''come
and see me, and spend the afternoon with
me and my little brood, and we will have a
pleasant time"
Mrs. B. was one of the strong minded
women of the pretty little town of s..
There was no society, no temperance meet
ing, no gathering where lady could get
foothold, that Mrs. B. was not first and
foremost. A strict church goer-no wealth.
er ever prevented her from being in her
customed seat; she laughingly remarked,
she was no fair weather christian. At all
public gatherings our public refOrmer was
ready with speech or an essay, if her SER
vices were required. No being more hap
py if she could be conspicuous by aiding
the public. She also wrote for the press,
and at the time am writing is engaged in
a controversy with Mrs. Jones on the sub
ject of ''Social Reform" The public la
dies not agreeing on the best mode Of pu-
rifying the multitudes, are having spicy
warfare through the daily paper of s..
+ Mrs. B. has great sorrow, the only one
of her life, imagine, for she is always
happy, smiling, serene; being contented
with her superiority to humanity in gener-
al. 1t is that women are deprived of the
right of suffrage; for in that event our
modest Mrs. B. would be famous
/ One light February day, which was an
unusually lovely one for the season of the
year, selected for this literary treat. The
sun shone warm. and the clear sky above
was cheering in its broad expanse of blue.
The day was exhilerating, and started
out for pleasure. The lady's residence was
at least mile from town; it was situated
upon an eminence commanding view of
the city. As stood to contemplate the
scene, was delighted. Here, in the val
ley beneath, with its wide streets running
parallel with each other, was s.. Its
churches, with their spires glittering in the
sunlight like stars; its river, with its clear,
crystal waves sparkling and glittering; its
hills for a back ground, standing boldly
out, making bulWark, as it were, for the
azure expanse of blue. How beautiful the
prospect in summer or spring-tine! How
lovely it must be! No wonder Mrs. b. ma
ture was tihged with romance. Such an
inspiring scene constantly before heri-it
was sufficient to hndle the eye of any ar
tist, and add to poetic nature, inspira-
ton. As these thoughts crossed my mind,
turned to enter Mrs. BIS wicket gate.
''Mamma's not at home," bawled out
five dirty little urchins, who had been
made aware of my coming by the barking
of small spaniel She's gone to town. y
1 stood to contemplate the spectacle before
me. There stood the strong-minded lady's
five dirty children-squalid, ragged. They
were evidently having good time, fol
there appeared to be at least dozen little
folks beside themselves, who had been in
vited to join in the frolie in mammals alb
sence. The eldest OF the little Bs-a child
of eight summers-was officiating as house
keeper. l turned to go, when suddenly
there arose a terrific roar from the little
group, and 10, the strong-minded's baby,
who had perched himself upon an empty
rain-barrel, to get better view of the
stranger, had fallen in, upset, and was be-
ing rolled over and over upon the lawn.
rescued the two-year old America, who
was more frightened than hurt, and ran
with him in my arms to the nearest oper
door. As l sat down by the fire, another
cry arose, for in my fright I had sat dow
upon broken saucer OF molssses-quit'
damaging my pretty spring suit. The pre-
caution was unnecessary, for it came to'
lste. ~ q g
As ] looked around, contemplating tn
dismal scene,1 ascertained that mamm'
had left early in the morning with an artl
Gle which was to consume Mrs. Jones il
the controversy on ''Social Reform, leaV
ing the house and children to take care o
themselves. She also, after leaving he
article in the hands of the journalist, wa
to visit around among some of her literar
friends, and end the day among the poo
and afflicted. .fE frE t
The children had been having gooC
time, I judged, for food, pieces of pie
bread, molasses, and apple-parings, wer
strewn in plentiful profusion over the un
carpeted kitchen floor. A pet hen scenes
at home, and on any unusual outburs
from the small fry, would fly out throug
the broken pane Of glass, and then stes
stealthily in again at the open door, Ey
erything in that literary abode looked care
less, dirty and uncomfortable. I fel
strongly tempted to fall upon the strong
minded's six with soap and water an
make reformation, as it was drawin
near papa's time for coming, but feared
lest it might be considered reflection.
took my leave, being covered with molasst
and mud from Mrs. BIS youngest-whC
whilst cared for him, had generously b
smeared me with the latter. Twas follow
ed to the door by the strong-minded's sil
with their companions, with the spaniel-
who got his head fast in the palings, ei
deavoring to give me parting salute.
entreated the eldest (the house-keeperl,
keep out Of the fire, for which she had
strong desire to keep vigorously pokinl
and left. When looked back, could 81
ll the little PARTY nnon the palss. perche