The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-10

| pig 10 uN6 Ill.
Coming into it the next morning he
found the curtains torn down, the car
pets taken up, the floor Uttered with
pals, soap and brushes, and Lima in a
dismal dress, her hair tied up in a towel,
directing two women scrubbing vigor-
ously.
"Good gracious, what are you do
ingP"
y" Cleaning this room"
"Why, Essie had the whole house
cleaned till it shone, in the fall, and
didn't make half the muss," he added,
contemptuously.
WE'LL" said Lima, slowly, "I
thought this room a marvel of neatness
myself, but when you remarked it was
not fit for the pigs, Isupposed you want
ed it cleaned"
"The room was well enough" was
the curt reply. "For mercy's sake
don't turn any more of the house upside
down."
At breakfast tiny tear in Louie's
apron caught her fathers eye, and by
his own angry statement, "She never
had a decent stitch of clothes, and did
wish somebody would see to her."
Two days later formidable dry
goods bill was presented at the store,
and Lima explained it in this wise:
You said, Herbert, that Louie hadn't
d dsGfpt stS Sa and yS %s hS see S
fault myself, but of course l got more
expensive articles, as you did not like
those already provided. am glad you
called my attention to the poor, neglect
ed child"
"Poor, neglected child" echoed as
tonished Herbert. "Why, Lima, Essie
fairly slaves herself out over those chill
dren. l am sure | never saw any better
dressed or neater."
Lima merely shrugged her shoulders.
A month passed. Essie gained strength
in the genial atmosphere surrounding
Louie and her mother, while Lima ruled
Herbert's home with rod of iron.
Herbert began to experience sick long
ing for ESTES gentle presence. Lima
took him so very literally in all he said,
and yet he could not rebuke her for what
he openly wished.
A chair with tiny spot of dirt being
declared absolutely filthy, was uphol-
stored and vanished at cost of eight
dollars. A dozen new shirts, ESTES
last labor of love, being said to "set like
meal-bags," were bestowed upon a
gardener, and new set sent from a
furnishing store. Harry's blocks were
burned at the kitchen fire when Her.
bert, stepping upon one, said he sswould
not have such rubbish in the house."
Every window was opened after pet
fish declaration that the Groom was as
hot as an oven," and an hour later the
stove was fired up to smothering heat,
because he declared it 'scold enough to
freeze polar bear.''
In short, with apparently an energetic
attempt to correct all shortcomings and
put the housekeeping upon a perfect
basis, Lima, in one month, nearly
doubled her brothers. expenses, and
drove him to the verge of distraction,
keeping actual account of every thing.
But Essie, well and strong again, was
coming home. On the day of her ex-
pected arrival, Lima, with solemn face,
invited her brother into the sitting-room
for few minutes private conversa-
ton.
"Herbert," she said, very gravely.
81 have proposition to make to you.
You are my only brother, and 1 need not
tell you | love you very dearly. 1t has
really grieved me to the heart to see
how much there is to find fault with in
your beautiful home"
Herbert twisted himself uneasily in
his chair, but Lima continued:
"You know that mot her is yerv de-
pendent upon me, Louie having the
house and children to care for, but |
think she would sacrifice her own COM
fort for yours. So, if you wish, Herbert,
will come here permanently to keep
things in order for you.''
Here Lima was obliged to pause and
strangle laugh at Herbert's expression
OF utter horror and dismay.
"You are very kind" he faltered.
the instincts of a gentleman battling
with the strong desire to tell Lima she
would certainly drive him to the lunatic
asylum by six months more of her
model housekeeping.
mot at all. A man who has made
an unfortunate marriage certainly needs
the aid and sympathy his family can
give him."
The last straw was laid upon the
camel's back. Herbert spoke hotly:
"You are entirely mistaken, Lima! I
have not made an unfortunate marriage.
If ever a man was blessed in a wife, I
am that man."
=" You amaze me, Herbert!'' Lima
cried, in well-feigned astonishment.
81 do not see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving, orderly,
model housekeeper, and perfect
home angel-God bless her!''
Herbert, is that true?"
" Certainly it is true.''
&c l can not believe it," was the low
response.
Scan not believe it! Whyp"
"Because and Lima dwelt impress
sively upon every word" during the
nine years of your married life, though
visiting here frequently, [ never heard
you speak one word of encouragement
or praise to Essie. never saw one look
OF appreciation or appreciation of any
effort she made for your comfort upon
your face. Continual fault finding,
constant blame, have changed her from
happy, winsome girl to pale, care
worn woman. Even her last illnass wos