The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-03-20

of time, you could not see across the
room for the dust Things were lying
around In dire confusion, and brooms
and brushes were flying in every direc-
ton. When the dust had somewhat
subsided, Mrs. Smith directed Hannah
to wipe It from the books and table. In
doing so, she unfortunately overturneda
large bottle of ink, which, II its course,
completely saturated two large volumes
of history. Frightened at what she had
done, she endeavored to remove several
other articles near them but the dark
fluid had already stained her hands and,
of course, was instantly communicated
to the things in question. Several man
uscripts were also badly soiled, but were
still decipherable. Mrs. Smith, not
knowing how valuable the latter might
be, was much Disconnected, and expert
enced an extraordinary abatement of
zeal i'm the cause she had undertaken.
1t was no use 'crying for split milk, -
however, and the lady and her assistant
hurriedly finished operations. A smell
of fire attracted their attention to their
CRATE. Upon examination, it was dis
covered that coal had snapped upon
the carpet and burned quite large
| place. With heightened countenance,
Mrs. Smith extinguished it, and placed
a rug over the spot. But this was not
the end of their misfortunes. In closing
the windows, Hannah pressed against
the glass with such force that two large
| panes were broken to atoms, besides
cutting her hand considerably. The
girl bound up her wounded fingers, and
said she ''guessed the ink would dry
off," Mrs. Smith smiled family, drew
the curtain lower, and placed the soiled
volumes out of sight.
One thing consoled Mrs. Smith for
these accidents. She was a thoroughly
neat woman, and in sweeping, every ar
ticle of furniture was moved. On push
ing large desk from the wall, a folded
paper, which slipped from behind, at
tracted her attention. 1t proved to be
a note due that very day, and which her
husband could never have found. She
thought that this might counterbalance
the mischief that had been done, and
thinking she would keep it until the
subject was mentioned, transferred it to
a safe place.
Though of a very even and pleasant
disposition, it must be confessed that on
his return, Mr.. Smith did look some
what impatient, to use the softest term
we can think of. Upon viewing the
soiled books, he rebuked not harshly but
mildly remarked that he was "glad no
more serious damage had been done.
Mrs. Smith was agreeably disappointed;
she had expected an outbreak, knowing
that he had serious cause for displeasure.
On the afternoon of the same day, her
! husband entered the room where she
was seated, with the smallest vestige of
a frown upon his usually placid face.
" have lost that note which was due
to-day, and it is all owing to your NOV
ing everything in my room," he observ-
ed, somewhat petulantly.
"Where was it left ?n asked Mrs.
Smith.
| u Poit Vic &c
q think you are mistaken, husband,
for saw nothing of the kind, upon the
table. But found note behind the
desk-a place in which you would not
have thought to look.' And she forth
with produced the paper.
"The very one!" he exclaimed. Show
lucky You must know, Ellen, that
this note is valuable,
"Then you will allow that some good
has resulted out of evil" said Mrs.
Smith, smiling.
Certainly and will also concede that
! if the room had not been "put to rights
as you term it, the document might have
remained concealed for months" was
the laughing reply. Then he added
more seriously, g know, my dear wife,
that L often try your patience very
much. l confess 1 am careless, and
somewhat disorderly in my habits. But
to repay you for the past, promise to
be more careful in the future, and en-
deavor to cultivate order and neatness.
TO prove to you that am serious, will
| try not to carry the tidy off on my back
once tomorrow, nor yet an additional
ink spot on my wristbands. Are you
satisfied"
" Perfectly so; and as you have set
the example, ] suppose 1 must allow
that perhaps sometimes am a little too
n