Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-11-15


sleeping room of the smaller for tho
two children.
Now you see You can unareSs them
by this pleasant crate, and then put
them away i'll cool quiet place to
sleep undisturhed by you older people.
Only be sure that the little mattresses
and bed-clothoS get II good airing and
summing every day. You can shut tho
door and let them lie for hours ~ YOU
couldn't III the back room, and that Is
a great advantage said Mrs. Gay, who
was in high spirits ut carrying every.
thing before her in this fine style.
" 1t is lucky we seldom have guests
to sleep III winter, for that north room
isn't ut all my idea of best chamber,
though we have put some of my pretty
things there. feel like company my.
self, in here, and John won't know what
to do with so much space, have kept
him cramped So long. 1t does seem u
shame 10 shut up this hig room and
not enjoy it. Mary. have been \
goose, ana | am glad you came and
told mo 50"
Contcnted with that confession, Mrs.
Gay kissed her convert, and, leaving
Biddy to finish OIL, she took her depart
ure with many last injunctions about
air, oatmeal, brown bread, quiet liv-
ing, and sunshine
When Mr.. Bennett and the boys, who
had been enjoying II holiday, came
home to tea ama1ement fell upon them
Mt the sight of mamma and the babies
sitting i'll tho new sitting room, with
the announcement that there was not
going to he any best parlor any more.
When the events Of the dNy had been
explained and discussed, u sort of iuhi-
lee ensued; for they all felt that pleas
ant change i'll tho domestic atmosphere
had taken place, and all enjoyed il im-
mcnsely. 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.. Bonnet had his ioko
about some women's notions. and he
doubted as to the success of the plan,
but anything that choered up his wife
pleased him, for his heart sank nj the
thought of home without her, and
Florida was n most distasteful iden to
him. He expressed much satisfaction
mt his improved quarters, however, and
that paid Mrs. Bennett for the sacrifice
she had made, though he, being II man,
could never know how great one il
was.
IL took some time to get fairly set
tied, but the sunny side OF things grew
more and more delightful us the change
Of scene and better influence did their
quiet work. The children soon showed
the effects of the daily sunshine, the
woll-aired chambers, simpler food and
cheerful play-place allotted to them,
for these little creatures show rs quick
ly rs flowers their susceptibility to ma
tural laws. Polly was never tired of
looking out of the window Mt the vary
ing phases Of street life, and her obscr-
vations thcreupon caused her mother
many hearty laugh.
Baby throve like dandelion ia
spring, though infantile ills occasional
~ veXed his happy soul; for the mig
taken training cf months could not he
rectitied Ill ut once, or tcething made
easy.
Mrs Bennett had her moments ofre-
gret rs she saw the marks Of little
fingers on her paint and furniture,
watched the fading Of her carpet, and
labored vainly to impress upon tho boys
that whiting, ball and marbles had
better be confined to the Gining-room.
But the big, pleasant parlor was so in
viting with the open fire, the comfort
able chairs, flowers, babies, work and
play, that no one could resist the charm,
and tired papa found it SO attractive
that he deserted tie library set apart
for him, and spent the evening in tile
bosom Of his family, to his wifc's great
delight.
People got into the way Of dropping
in, not for n formal call in the prime
best parlor, but a social visit with gos-
sip 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, "Well,
ma'am, are you ready for Florida% and
the answer, with ever increasing deci-
sion, was, II guess we can get on lit
tie while longer without it"
II certainly seemed as If the chief in
valid could, and now that the sewing
machine had long rests and the ducal
linen aprons needed only d Bit Of braid
10 finish them of, Mrs. Bennett found
many half hour 10 practice, read,
walk with the children, and help the
boys with lessons and play. In theeyc-
ming ii soon became habit TO clear up
the parlor, get the babies costly to bed,
make herself neat and pretty, and be
ready 10 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 the need Of some