The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-11-23

at all my idea of best chamber, though
we nave put some of my pretty things
there. | feel like COMPANY myself. in
here, and John won't know what 20 do
with so much space, | have kept him
cramped so long. 1t does seem a shame
to shut up this big room and not enjoy
it. Mary, have been goose, and ] am
glad you came and told me so.''
.Contented with that confession. Mrs.
Gay kissed her convert. and, leaving
Blddy to finish off, she took her depart
ure with many last iniunctions about
air, oatmeal, brown bread, quiet living
and sunshine
When Mr.. Bennett and the bows, who
had been enjoying a holiday, came home
TO tea amazement fell upon them at the
sight OF mamma and the babies sitting in
the new sitting room, with the announce
ment that there was not going to be anv
best parlor any more.
When the events of the day had been
explained and discussed, sort of iubi-
lee ensued; for they all felt that pleas
ant change in the domestic atmosphere
had taken place, and all enioyed it inn
mensely. Mrs. Bennett played and the
boys and Polly danced and papa frol-
licked with baby, who forgot his teeth
and crowed gleefully until bedtime.
Of course Mr.. Bennett had his Joke
about women's notions and he doubted
as to the success of the plan, but any
thing that cheered up his wife pleased
him, for his heart sank at the thought of
home without her, snd Florida was a
most distasteful idea to him. He ex-
pressed much satisfaction at his i'm
proved quarters, however, and that paid
Mrs. Bennett for the sacrifice she had
made, though he, being a man, could
never know how great one it was.
1t took some time to get fairly settled,
but the sunny side of things grew more
and more delightful as the change of
scene and better influence did their
quiet work. The children soon showed
the effects of the daily sunshine, the
well-aired chambers, simpler food, and
cheerful play-place allotted to them, for
these little creatures show as quickly as
flowers their susceptibility to natural
laws. Polly was never tired of looking
out of the window at the varying phases
of street life, and her observations there
upon caused her mother many a hearty
laugh.
Baby throvo like a dandelion in
spring, though infantile ills occasionally
vexed his happy soul; for the mistaken
training of months could not be rectitied
all at once, or teething made easy.
Mrs. Bennett had her moments Of re-
greet as she saw the marks of little fn-
gers on her paint and furniture, watched
the fading of her carpet, and labored
vainly to impress upon the boys that
whiting, ball and marbles had better
be confined to the dining-room. But
the big, pleasant parlor was so inviting
with the open air, the comfortable
chairs, flowers, babies, work and play,
that no one could resist the charm, and
tired papa found it SO attractive that he
deserted the library set apart for him,
and spent the evening in the bosom of
his family, TO his wife's great delight.
People got into the way Of dropping
in, not for a formal call in the prim best
parlor, but q social visit with gossip and
games, music, or whatever was going on,
and soon it was generally agreed that
the BENEFITS house was the pleasantest
in the neighbOrhood.
The doctors standing Joke was, g Well,
ma am, are you ready for Floridaw and
tbs answer, with the ever increasing de-
cision, was, guess We can get on a
little while longer without il"
1t certainly seemed as il the chief in
valid could, and now that the sewing
machine had long rests, and the ducal
linen aprons needed only q bit of braid
to finish them off, Mrs. Bennett found
many half hour to practice, read and
walk with the children, and help the
boys with lessons and play. In the
evening it became a habit to clear up
the parlor, get the babies costly to bed,
make herself neat and pretty, and be
ready to show papa cheerful face when
he came home. For, being no longer
worn out with unnecessary stitching,
languid for want of exercise, and nervous
for something to break the monotony of
busy house mothers life, she had spirits
TO enjoy a social hour, and found it very
sweet to be the center of a happy little
circle who looked to her for the sunshine
of home.
Some of us must go to Florida to
get well, but many people might save
their time and money, and make a land
of flowers for themselves out of the sim
plest materials if they only knew how, f"
said Mrs. Gay when the BENEFITS thanked
her for the advice which did SO much
good, and every one agreed with her
WOD1Gn's Journal.