Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-02-15

long at Susan about that abominable
soup, till Herbert wished he had
said nothing about it. But his imag-
nation detecting a burnt flavor in the
pudding he could not refrain from !
1t, and before he could
remonstrate, that dish followed the
soup.
"I'll get this house in some sort of
order befo,e | leave it," said Lima,
emphatically.
Before YOU leave it, said Her.
bert, sharply. "Doyousuppnse you
are better heusekeepertlnn Essie?
Why, | have not Il friend who does
not envy me the exquisite oruer of
my house and my dinner table
"Herdert, you surprise me. Only
Yesterday heard you say you did
wish there was ever anything fit tc
eat on the table"
"One doesn't expect every word tn
he taken literally" said Herbert.
rather sulGily. Bu, not an hour AZ.
ter, finding II streak Of dust in the
sitting room he helrchred en- mphatical-
ly it WAS not fit for Il pig To live in.
What was the c0n,equencc? Com
ing into it the next morning, lie
found the curtains torn down, the
carpets taken up, the floor Uttered
With pailS, soap and brushes. aud
Lima in dismal dress, her hair tied
up in Il towel, directing two women,
who were scruhbing vigorously.
Good gracious, Lina!," he cried
"whyt ale You doing ,"
"Cleaning this room.r
why, ESSie had the whole house
cleaned only the otoer day," he ad-
ded. contemptuouSly.
well" said Lima slowly, II
thought this room marvel of neat
ness myself, but when you said 1t
WAS not lit for the pigs | supposed
YOU wanted it cleaned"
The room was wellenough," was
the curt reply. ""or mercy'S sake
don't turn any more ofthe heuse up
side down" -
At breakfast tiny ter in Louie'S
apran caught her fathers eye. and,
by his OWL angry statement, ..she
never had II decent stitch of clothes.
and he did Wish somebody would see
to her. I"
Two days after Il formidable linen
draper'S bill WAS sent to him, and
Lima explained 1t in this wise:
"Yon said, Herbert, That Louie
hadn't decent stitch and you wish
ed somebody would see To her, SO
bought her complete outfit.
could not see any fault myself, but
OF course [ got more expensive arti-t
cles, as you did not like those al
redy provided. | am glad you call
ed my attention to the poor neglect
ed child"
Poor neglected child!" echoed as
toniShed Herbert. "Why. Lima, Is
sic fairly slaves her life out over
those children. | am sure | never
see any better dressed or neater."
Lima merely shrugged her shoulders.
\ month passed. Essie gained
strength in the genial atmosph re
surrounding Louie and her muther, !
while Lima ruled Herhert's s house
with IL rod of iron. Herbert began
to expersence sick longing for Is
sie's gentle presence. Lima took
him so literally in all he said, and
yet he could not rebuke her for do
ing what he openly wished. -. /
An arm chair with tiny spot of !
dirt being declared absolutely filthy,
WAS upholstered and vanished ut Il
cost Of ten dollars. a dozen new !
shirts ESTES last labor of love, be-
ing said to set like meal bags. were |
bestowed upon the gardener, and "a
new set obtained. Every window !
was opened after a pettish declara-
ton that the room was rs an oven,
and an hour later the CRATE was fired !
up to smothering heat because he .
declared it cold enough to freeze IA
polar bear.
In short, with apparently al ener-
yetic attempt to correct all short
and put housekeeping npon
4 perfect basis. Lima in one month
nearly doubled her brothers sexpen-
'es, and drove hl;n to the verge of
distraction. = SO -
But ESsie, we'll and strong again
VAS coming home. On the day of
expected arrival Lima. with solemn
ace invited her brother into the Sit
ing room for a few moments Of pri-
rate conversation.
Herbert she said, very gravely,
i have Il proposition to make toyou.
I on are my only brother. and | need
lot tell Won | love you very dearly.
It has really grieved me to the heart
% see how much there is to find
aut within your beautiful home.''
Herbert twisted himself uneasiiy in
lis chair, but Lima continued
"YOu know that mother is very
dependent upon me, Louie having