The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-02-27
THE YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER.

"Do, Fanny, have some fire made" said
Mr.. Taylor to his wife; 81 am almost per
ished."
"Firel" she repeated.
Yes, fire." said he. 81 am sure it's cold
enough. Ny teeth are fairly ohattering"
Its rather chilly" she replied, but the
CRATES are cleaned and the summer blowers
up; L can't have fire made"
"Oh, NONSENSE" urged her husband.
what if the CRATES are cleaned? Do ring.
and order a fire."
But the young wife never stirred as she
answered, Its out OF the question. Charles.
The chimneys are closed up
''Pshaw!" said he, impatiently. What
on earth did you have the chimneys closed
for? Tom can taxe the filling out, though,
j suppose" he continued, as he moved to-
ward the bell.
mo, indeed, he can't" Interposed his
wife, quickly. What are you thinking OF?
He'll raise such a dust! And, besides, L
can't have a fire made, indeed. The paint
is still fresh, and the whitewash scarcely
dry; and when things are once cleaned fires
make such dirt"
'Then l do wish you would not have
things cleaned till the necessity for fires is
over" said her husband, somewhat vexed.
'But you are always in such hurry with
your hOusecleaning, he continued, pet
tishly. Il do detest the sight OF pail OF
eAAh SOAC Vic AOu'C was SANoh
enough before"
Clean exclaimed his wife. 81 don't
know what you call clean. i am sure l was
ashamed to receive a visitor, it looked so
smoky and dirty. But you men seem to
have no perception of dirt" she continued,
almost CONTEMPORARY. and it's not so
cold, either"
Then what are you wrapped in that great
shawl for?' answered her husband.
oh, it is rather chilly, certainly. A
heavy rain like this makes it cold, of course
We are liable to such storms in midsum-
mer,' she replied.
Its an absurdity to close up the CRATES at
this season" muttered her husband.
AT this season, Charlesl Why, it's not
cold. Only look at the peach blossoms" she
continued, pointing to the tree IN the gar
den in proof of her assertion.
We'll, i wish / were peach blossom" he
r. piled. IF they are insensible to the wealth
er. Since 1 can't have a fire, however, I'll
put on my OvercOat."
DO she replied And he left the room,
and returned presently. buttoned up to the
chin, as If prepared to brave the elements on
a pedestrian excursion. He thrust his
hands in his pockets and walked up and
down the room; while his wife, drawn up
almost into a knot seated in a large chair
aud wrapped in a heavy shawl, seemed
quite as chilly as himself
Now this is too ridiculous, Fanny. You
may have been ashamed to receive visitor
before things were cleaned, but j declare
should be great deal more SO TO be caught
just now. How you look in this great
blanket, And can't say | think this fustian
coat particularly becoming or suitable for
house wear" he said, stopping and looking
az himself in the glass.
No one Will come in such weather." she
replied, perfectly satisfied as TO there being
~ chance OF their being caught. But
scarcely Lad she spoken when there was
d, cided ring at the bell, which betokened
something more than an erraud boy or post
man, and shuffiing was heard in the hall as
OF an umbrella, etc, and presently in was
ushered a visitor.
"Ab, Harrington" exclaimed Mr.. Taylor,
receiving his guest with great cordiality,
''wAen did you arrive?"
Only this morning." replied the other,
"and wishing TO see you particularly
stormy afternoon as this. Singular weather
tor May" he continued. Its more like
November"
1T is, indeed" replied Mr.. Taylor, some.
what embarrassed, and looking ruefully
ward the empty crate. Fanny. dear, 1
think you might manage that fire place SO
that we could nave a fire."
But Fanny looked annoyed, and hesita-
tiBgly said, II am afraid il will only make
il smoke" Whereupon Mr. Harrington
protested with chattering teeth that he was
not at all cold, and begged that no fire might
be kindled on his account. There was no
concsaling the fact, however. for the whole
party looked blue and after a somewhat
short and decidedly uncomfortable visit. Mr..
Harrington took his departure.
He did not stay long at any rate" said
Fanny
40, indeed" replied her husband. pet
tishiy, do you suppose he'd stay and SILVER
here when he could get away? Poor devil!
1 do believe he'd have got an ague fit in fif-
teen minutes more. i declare, Fanny, l was
mortified"
What on earth brought him here? said
Fanny. angry with the man for coming and
being uncomfortable. People have no right
to visit in such weather. And what guam
tity of dirt he has tracked inn she continued,
with infinite veXatiOn, my beautiful new
mating will be quite spoiled. He might at
least have wiped his feet at the door, Dear
me, and the hall, too How his umbrella has
drIpped all over it," and then ringing the
bell. she ordered the woman to bring flannel
and pail, and wipe out all traces of the Of
feading stranger, which operation she super
intended herself, fretting the while, and feel
ing the whole as great hardship.
1t was happily through at last, however;
and as Mr.. Taylor sat opposite to his wife at
the tea-table, somewhat thawed by his second
cup. he said, Fanny, l must ask Harrington
TO dinner"
Must your she replied, witha sort of de-
preciating assent that implied that if the ne.
cessity were not very urgent, che would
rather dispense with the pleasure.
Yes" he answered; "have you any
objections?'
No" she replied, reluctantly "OnIy ]
must take down the silver, and it's all Sc
nicely put away in whitening and leather.
why can't Tom take it DOWN. inquired
her husband.
.'BecaUse be can't" she replied. III never
let any one go to my pantries but myself
NO-if you must have him, must do it my
self"
Mr.. Taylor seemed annoyed at the idea o.
giving her what was apparently so much
trouble, and yet more annoyed at not treat
ing his friend with hospitality, and he said
81 do not see why you can not let one OF the
servants do it."
because can't, Charles" she pursued
with true womans answer. III you mus
have him. that's enough"