The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-23
WON AGAIN.

l.
A very cosy sitting-room it was that
Frank Mervin entered as he returned
from long and wearisome day in the
law office. A soft glow was diffused
from a fire of sea coal in the CRATE; the
cat lay doing on the rug and the fitful
CLEAN of the freight flashed on book
case well filled with elegantly bound
volumes, on a blooming camellia partially
yelled by the heavy lace window cur
tains, on choice pictures suspended from
the walls, on handsome stuffed easy
chairs, and every now and then disclosed,
resting IN shadow, child's shoe that
lay in one corner on the Brussels carpet.
Near the CRATE was drawn up the lounge,
with Franks dressing gown thrown over
it and his embroidered slippers Just
peeping from beneath.
This looks like comfort" said Frank,
as he put on the gown, thrust his feet
into the slippers and threw himself on
the lounge in a restful attitude; " Won
der where Mary is?"
At this moment Mrs. Mervin entered
with the lamp in her hand, and found
Frank enjoying the quiet freight
"Why, Frank, " she exclaimed, "when
did you come in? l didn't hear you, and
placing the lamp on the table she sat
down beside him.
Only amoment ago, he said, butts
so pleasant to get home and rest. Is din
ner ready? Pm very hungry"
Just then the tinkling bell announced
dinner, and they were presently seated
at the table. Minnie, the two years old,
was already in her high chair, and no
sooner did her mother appear than she
began, "Tato, tato, bread, milk, butter"
A shade passed over Franks face, but
he said nothing, as he helped Mrs Mervin
and Mollie and Henry and Willie to the
roast before him. For minute or two
at a time Minnie was still, but as soon
as her eyes rested on any dish she had
not seen before she began, Cake, cake,
raisins, sugar" and nothing else could
be heard. Mrs. Mervin, intent on stop
ping her Clamor, gave no attention to
anyone else at the table. Frank drew a
long breath, and said, in an undertone,
to himself: 81 do wish she could eat be-
fore we do and be asleep when come
home"
In response to this Mrs. Nervin said,
AZ d pSbJluS bOHC, w ullhhlCJ lGtlS udI
ling doesn't want to eat all alone and 90
to bed fore papa comes, does she?"
The other children were all over four
years old, and had been trained IN table
manners by their father so well that
their presence was no annoyance, but
this little Minnie he couldn't manage,
and, cunning and pretty though she was,
she was real torment to her father
when he came home worn and tired with
the business of the day
At last the dinner was over, and the
baby put to bed, to Franks great relief.
g Now l can talk with Mary" said he to
himself, land forgot the fatigues and
cares of the day." and he went to his
overcoat and drew from his pocket the
last new magazine to show to her when
she came in
Entering with work basket in hand,
Mrs. Mervin began: "Such time, Frank,
as I've had to-day; l wouldn't tell you
before, you looked so tired; but Bridget
went off this morning to see a sick cousin
and did not get back until dinner was
ready, so that had everything to do,
and Minnie to take care of besides She
has got a double tooth coming and IS
awful cross. Right in the midst of my
work Mrs King6sher called, aud | had to
leave everything and dress to see her,
and she stayed so long that my fire got
low, and | thought / never should get
dinner in time; then Henry came home
from school with the earache, and |
thought l never should get him quiet,
but did at last. o dear, such a day as
I've hadw
I've brought home the new magazine,
Mary" was Franks only response to this
long catalogue of ills; but his mind ran
back over the tolls that had brought to
him heavy business anxieties, annoyances
that pierce to the quick, disappointments
that involve more than he dared to com
pute, and he looked on his pleasant sur
rOundings with wistful air, and half
wondered why they brought him so little
pleasure. II he had not taken off his
coat and boots he would have made an
errand into the streets ana dropped into
his club, where he was sure of meeting
half dozen jolly fellows, and hearing
only cheerful and pleasant things. But
only that night, as he walked through
the gathering twilight, he had thought of
the days of his courtshipa and early married
life; the long evenings that Mary and he
had spentin reading Milton and Homer and
Scott and Plato and Bacon and Thack-
cray and Dickens; how he dreamed that
she would always be his chosen intel
lectual companion, no less than the part