Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-06-01
STANTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY. JUNE l, 1877.

tomorrow. suppose you have everything
Ieady %
"Quite ready" was Bessy's reply, "nd
very anxious to make her comfortable.
Would you like to see her room %
sWell, yes, 1 don't care if I do,'' said
Walter, who had come home in an excep-
tionally good humor, and taking little Lu-
lu upon his shoulder, the child growing
with delight, he followed his wife up stairs,
thinking that very probably he might be
able to suggest some improvement. 1t
was his way rather to suggest alterations
than to speak well of what was. already
done.
"Don't you think you've Topped the cur
tains too low he queried. s'And isn't it
rather childish to tie them with blue?"
II thought blue was your favorite col
or said Bessy, who had fancied her ar
rangement of the one bay-window mas
terpiece..
eyes; but-you see the hanging basket
in the centre, being necessarily composed
of green plants and vines, makes the con-
trast unpleasant.
''True enough said Bessy, with the
least possible tinge of sarcasm in her voice.
sI might have looped them with green.
But then, you see. must have draped the
toilet-table with green; and the carpet
happening to be blue and fawn, perhaps
the contrast might have been still more
unpleasant. Shall take the basket down?
You know you said your aunt was fond of
plants?7
''Perllaps, if she is, she may not like
them in her bed-Ioom. However, let the
thing be-" he added, graciously. II would
loop the curtains a foot higher, though -
''And spoil it ALL said Bessy, almost
I petulantly, for she often of late found her
self inclined to s'snap," under the constant
succession of mildly irritating criticism,
in which her husband INDUCED.
s'No-render the effect a hundred times
prettier. Butno matter. I ain q man,
and [ suppose my opinion goes for moth
ing. Still would like to see the curtains
changed
Little Lulu, meantime, applauded her
mother's handiwork with loud acclama-
tions, "pitty, pittyH' she cried, pursuing
mp her rosy mouth, and clapping her baby
hands, as she looked from point to point.
"Wouldn't blue have looked better upon
the bed ?" asked Walter, whose wide
glances could find no fault in all the other
arrangements.
SIT seems to me white was more appro-
priate," Bessy made answer; "but, il you
| n =! r
"Most decidedly" said Walter, delight
ed with this concession. II knew the
room wanted something, and that was It,.
1 am sure you will be better pleased
yourself. It won't be much trouble.
You've all day tomorrow, and 1 particu-
larry 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"
| It was always me with lord]y Walter AL
lison. Bessy looked up in. the face of her
| tall, handsome, stalwart husband, as he
lovely babe still smiling from his shoulder;
one chubby arm encircling his neck; one
dimpled, white-fngered hand half-hdden
in his luxurious whiskars.
Superb in his royal privileges as dictator
and commander, how could he fathom the
expression of that too pale, yet tender face,
whose SWEET serenity his thoughtless fault
finding so often clouded ? And yet sha
was grieving that moment because he so
seldom praised her.
The next day Aunt Prue came pune
tualy, at seven in the evening. Bessy, the
baby, everything looked charming by gas
light AS to Aunt Prue, Bessy's first long
ing was to fall on her bosom, and feel her
self enci:cled by such an embrace as she
fancied her mother would have given her;
for Bessy's mother had been in heaven
many years.
Aunt Prue was very weary, being I'M
used to travelling, and declined supper,
taking only a cup of milk, and retiring al
most Immediately.
''EoW do you like her?" asked Walter.
every much. am sure [ shall love her
dearly before long"
Il think you will. Has she not lovely
face? She is not as beautiful as my moth
er Was, but she has always seemed like a
mother to NE. We must try to make her
visit enjoyable. The only thing l tremble
about is, the table-the fare. Of course,
you will do the best you can, but there is
a knack about these things, I might almost
say genius, which only the favored few
possess l was glad she declined the sup
per; she is so very particular about her
tea. | dread to-morrow's dinner more than
can tell. 1t will be New Year. and we
ought to have something fne.''
'sWhy should you dread it?" asked Bes-
sy, looking up.
"Oh, 1 am sure you will do your best. I
believe you always do your best,' he re-
peated, IN q way that intimated quite
plainly, ''but that best is SO poor''
Bessie 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 assmilated has much to do with the
spiritual, as well as the physical being of
man. 1t makes the monster good-natured,
too. Why, I have tasted a bitter cup of
coffee all day. and, likely as not, been cross
to my clerks on account Of it. So you see
how much depends on the cuisine Now,
sunpose we make out a bill of fare"
The next morning at hreakfast, Walter
made wry face three times, and quite as
many excuses for everything that was
served Aunt Prre said nothing, though
she enjoyed her meal. But she took men,
tai notes.
Bessie did not look so well by daylight