The Republican journal., 1877-07-19

'AAiiiSo W. nv tpNiNt,'t' ttNltllclN NOultt
loop the curtains a foot higher though y
"And spoil it ALL" said Bessv, almost
petulently, for she often of late found
herself inclined to ''snap'' under the con
slant succession of mildly irritating clti-
cisms, in which her husband INDUCED.
''No render the effect a hundred times
prettier But no matter | am man,
and 1 suppose my opinion goes for moth
ing. Still, | would like to see the cur
tains changed"
Little Lulu, meantime, applauded her
mothers handiwork with loud acclama-
tions. 'Iitty, pity :" she cried, pursuing
up her rosy mouth, and clapping her
abyhands, as she looked from point to
point.
"Would'nt blue have looked better up
on the bed p asked Walter, whose wide
glances could find no fault in all the
other arrangements.
at seems to me white is more appro-
pirate" Bessy made answer; but if you
prefer the blue, will put it on"
Most decidedly" said Walter. de
lighted with this concession. Il knew
the room wanted something, and that was
it. | am sure YOU will be better pleased
Yourself 1t won't he much trouble
You've all day tomorrow, and partcu-
larlN want Aunt Prue to be pleased. From
what | have said Of YOU, she will have
no ordinary expectations as to your taste
and ability. SO, do me honor"
1t wa always me with lordly Walter
Allison. Bessie looked up in the face of
her tall, handsome, stalWirt husband, us
he stood there, so kingly in his beauty,
| the lovely babe still smiling from his
shoulders; one chubby arm encircling his
neck one dimpled white fingered hand
half hidden in his luxurious whiskers.
Superb in his royal privileges us dicta-
tor and commander, how could he fathom
the expression Of that too pale yet ten
der face, whose sweet serenity his tlonght-
yet she was gricVing that moment because
he SO seldom praised her.
The next day Aunt Prue came punctu-
ally at seven in the evening. Hessy, the
baby, everything, looked charming by
gas-light. AS to Aunt Prue, Bessy's first
longing was to fall On her bosom, and feel
herself cncircIcd by such an embrace as
she tancied her mother would have given
her; for Bessy's mother had been in
heaven many years.
Aunt lrue was very weary, being UNI
used to travelling, and declined supper,
taking only a cup Of milk, and refining
almost Immediately. GLOW Ito you like
her :" asked Walter
every mach. | am sure / shall love
her dearly, before long"
'I think YOU will Has she not a love
ly face? She is not as beautiful as my
mother was, but she has always seemed
like Il mother to me. We must try to
make her visit enjoyable. The only thing
| tremble about is, the table-tle fare.
OF course, You will do the best You can,
| but there is 4 l1nack about these things,
| | might almost say a genius which only
the favored few possess. | Wls glad she
declined the supper; she is SO very par
| tcular about her tea. dread to-lnor-
rows dinner more than can tell 1t will
/ be New Year. and we ought to have
something fine"
"Why should YOU dread it ?" asked
Bessy, looking up.
'EOh, am sure You will do your best,
| believe You always do your best" he re-
peatcd, in a way that intimated quite
| plainly, "but that best is so poor -
Bessy smiled, but he did not see her.
You think | am very particular about
my food" he went ON, 'Wait till you
taste some OF Aunt Prue's dishes, and
You will understand why. Food Well
cooked and assimilated has much to do
with the spiritual, as we'll rs the phYsi-
cal being OF man Ii makes the monster
good-natured, too. Why, have tasted
a bitter cup of coffee all day. and likely
as not, been cross to my clerks on ac
count Of it. So you see how much de
pends on the cAjsjHc. Now, suppose We
make out u bin OF fare
The next morning. at breakfast, Wal
ter made !; wry face three times. and
quite aS many excuses for everything
that was served. Aunt l'rue said moth
ing, though she enjoyed her meal. But
she took mental notes.
Bcssy did not look us well by daylight: !:
an expression of fatigue perVaded her
whole being. The baby had been rest
less; Walters way evidently annoyed
her. She had worked too hard ut this
we'll arranged breakfast.
II will 60 now, and make my New
Years calls, said Walter, as he rose from
the table. 'That will give you, Bessy and
Aunt Prue, Il good, long morning togctll-
er"
at isn't possible that you do all the
cooking! :! said Aunt Prue, as the two
women left the dining room, Bessy hold
ing the heavy baby.
''The girl helps me Il little" was BesSy's
reply, "and is willing to do more: but
Walter is always dissatisfied with her
cooking Indeed, Aunt Plue, it is a great
pleasure for me-it could only please
him; but since baby came, it is not al
ways possible. had II nurse for u time,
but Walter objects to 4 nurse; and it is
hard to get good one
" How often Ito You 90 ont - asked
Aunt prue.
elbow often? Oh, dear me. haven't
been outside the house for months, hard
ly,"wa the answer, with IL nervous laugh.
"Ilow men do yoke and goad their an
gels !" said Aunt prue, half to herself
'What did you say, Aunt Prue ~
81 WAS thinking of an expression in
one of Walters love-letters.'
"Oht" And Bessy's cheek grew radiant
with a girlish blush.
81 mean one Of his letters to me, when
he was in love, in which he makes men
ton of Il certain angel
.'Indecd? ?" And Bessy laughed in her
olden fashion.
"Wc must take him in hand" said
Aunt Prue, seriously. ''This 'all work
and no play will never answer. Pm sure,
my dear, il you always give him half such
nice meals as that of this morning, be
has no right to complain
''But you saw-" said Bessy, timidly.
eyes, yes, saw that he was trying to
hn +,lI l, l,,-
undertaking it. Now to-day I'll get up
one Of my best dinners, and you shall do
nothing but look on. just give me a
kitchen apron, my dear, and wish me
good speed
They had a merry time of it that morn
ing. Baby was happy and jolly under the
superintendence of her mother; the oven
worked to a charm, and everything was
in readiness for the lord Of the household,
who awaited dinner with more than lit
+1, ~,