The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-30
A FIRESIDE STORY.

ALL luV, oil, Iuc!
A FIRESIDE STORY.
love to see the wife and mother move
around and within her little home circle,
with sunny smiles beaming on her face.
as If all other spots were blanks to her
when compared with that retreat of love
where her husband and children dwell.
But of this we will say no more, for it
was our intention when we first dipped
our pen in ink to-day, to give the reader
tale of facts; so now for the introduce
ton:
Mr.. and Mrs. Pason, with their chill
dren, occupied humble tenement in q
narrow court. But though their rooms
were small and few, there was an air of
comfort prevailing all, which plainly told
that the mechanics home was managed
by skilful housekeeper.
On the evening our story opens, a
bright fire was glowing in the polished
stove IN the little parlor, and near it was
drawn small round table. A group of
three children were varlously engaged
around 1t. Emma, the eldest, was hem
ming an apron. Ellen, two years young
er, was petting her tavorite kitten; while
but little distance from her sat her only
brother, Charles, engaged with his slate
and pencil.
The mother Of Ibis little group was
bus1ly engaged about the room with vari-
Gus duties, but still her large dark eyes
were often turned toward the table, beam.
ing with love and pride. Atlength step.
ping lightly behind the chair occupied
by Charley, the youngest OF the group,
she leaned over and gently touched hel
lips to his cheek.
For the last half hour the child's whole
soul seemed to be wrapped up in his oc.
cupation, and now being SO suddenly
disturbed, quick as the lightning's flash
he dealt a blow IN his mothers face. not
even looking up to see who leaned over
him. The mother did not speak, while
the girls cried, in breath-'Why, broth.
er, you have struck map
II don't care if I have" was the re.
sponse "She ought not to plague me
when I am busy" g..
Charles, though young in years, was
old in intellect; he knew that he had
done wrong, and he expected to be re.
buked, although he knew that his par.
ent was ever kind; but in this he was
disappointed, for the mother only turn.
ed her dark eyes upon him with a sor
rowful expression, and then walked rap
idly away to finish her preparations fol
tea.
Emma was about to speak again, but
her mother motioned for her to keep ST.
lent, and then all went on as before, save
new and then the glance that the pas.
sionate boy bestowed on his parent.
None of these glances were returned
and in little while Mrs. Pason babe
her children put away their playthlngs
and work, saying that supper was ready
81 don't want any supper" said
Charles, throwing down his slate heavi-
~ and trying to catch his mothers eye
but still Mrs. Pason did not answer, no1
did she look angry, she only broke his
bread in his plate ready for his milk,
and then took her sewing to wait fol-
her tea till her husband should come.
A half an hour later Charlie had not
spoken, neither had he eaten any supper
but he stood at the bedroom door lead.
ing off from the little parlor, with ohe
hand clutching the white drapery of his
night. dress, and the other the knob OF
the door.
"Come, Charlie" said Emma, "hurry,
mother wants US all to be In bed before
father comes.''
II don't care" was the answer, II
shant go if she does want me to- and
ere the sentence was finished, the boy
threw himself stubbornly between the
snowy sheets of his trundle bed, and the
door shut out the form of his mother.
The night of which we write, the fros.
ty breath Of winter was creeping in at
every crevice IN the tenement occupied
by Mr.. Psson's family, and yet it seemed
to cast no gloom over that neat little par.
lor where the industrious wife had built
her afternoon fire, and prepared
evening meal for the family.
Echolng footsteps went BY, and ss
long time Mrs. Pason sat and list
that she might distinguish her husbI
step from among the rest. At Length
coming weary Of waiting, she went
window and peered into the night g
without, but it was too dark to d .s
guish features, so she turned away. ss
stepped quietly in to the side of the
trundle-bed, and kneeling she ID M
over the pillow, and once more tou
her lips to her boys check, whispe
as she did so: 80, Charley darling, @
little know the sad hours your hasty
per has cost your mother, but feel
harsh treatment will never overcom
And though she tried to restrain
tears, q low burst of grlef broke the
ness, but the sleeper did not stu; so
ering him warmly, she slewly are