The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-06-24

the pudding, and before he could remon-
lstate, that dish had followed the soup.
SIN get this house in some sort Of or
der before leave it, " said Lima, emphat-
ically. ss3
Before you leave it!'' said Herbert,
sharply. de you suppose you are q
better housekeeper than Essieg Why, i
have not friend who does not envy me
the exquisite order Of my house and my
dainty table. =
Herbert, you surprise me! Only yes.
terday I heard you say that you did wish
there was ever anything. fit to eat on the
table," 4 &. III. 555
Zone don't expect every word to be
taken literally, = salG Herbert rather sulk-
lily. But an hour later, finding streak
of dust in the sitting room, he declared.
emphatically, S It was NOT fit for a PIC to
live in .3ss 5f33 .s' 81
Coming In the next morning he found
the curtains torn down, the CARPETS taken
up, and the floor Uttered with pals, soap
and brushes, and Lima in dismal dress.
her hair tied up in towel, directing two
women scrubing vigorously.
.sGood gracious, what are you doing?.'
Cleaning this ROOM"
ssWhy Essie had the whole house
cleaned till it shone, in the fall, and it
didn't make half the muss,' he added
CONTEMPORARY.
"Well," said Lima. slowly, 81 thought
this room marvel Of neatness myself,
but when you remarked it was not fit for
pigs, / supposed you wanted it cleaned. .
The room was well enough, was the
curt reply. "For mercy isake don't turn
any more of the house upside down. "a
At breakfast a tiny tear in Louie
apron caught her father eye, and by his
own angry statement, .sshe never had
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
decent stitch, and you wished some
body would see to her, SO bought her a
complete outfit could not see any
fault myself, but of course got more ex-
/ pensive articles, as you did not like those
already provided. Lam glad you called
my attention to the poor, neglected
child.''
"Poor, neglected child!' echoed as
tonished Herbert. "Why, Lima, Essie
fairly slaves herself out over those child
rem. I am sure I never saw any better
dressed or heater"
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. Her
bert began to experience longing for
Essle's 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 upholster-
| ed and vanished at cost of eight dol
lars. A dozen new shirts, ESTES last
labor OF love, being said to s'set like meal
bags were bestowed on gardener, and
and new set sent from furnishing
store. Harry's blocks were burned at the
kitchen fire when Herbert, stepping up
on one, said he sswould not have such
rubbish in the house. Every window
was opened after a pettish declaration
that the room was as hot as an oven, anG
an hour later the stove was fred up tx
smot hering heat because he declared i
"cold enough to freeze . polar bear.''
In short, with apparently an energetic
i attempt to correct all shortcomings ani
| put the housekeeping upon perfect basis
Lima, in one month, nearly doubled he,
brothers expenses, and drove him to tn,
| verge Of distraction, keeping actual &C
count Of everything.
i But Essie, well and strong again, wa
coming home. On the day Of her ex.
pected arrival, Lima with solemn face
invited her brother into the sitting groom
for few minutes private conversation
4, Herbert she said, very graveiy, 81
have proposition to make to you. 70,
are my only brother, and I need not tel
you that I love you very dearly. 1t has
really grieved me to the heart to see how
much there is to find fault with in you,
beautiful home.''
Herbert twisted himself uneasiiy in.hi,
chair, but Lima continued:
"You know that mother is very de
pendent upon me, Louie having the house
and children to care for, but | think sht
would sacrifice her own comfort for yours
So, if you wish, Herbert, I viii com.
here permanently to keep things in orde
for YOU
Here Lima was obliged to pause ane
strangle a laugh at Herbert's expression
Of utter horror and dismay.
"You are very kind, = he faltered, tn,
instincts Of a gentleman battling with
strong desire to tell Lima she would Ger
tainly drive him to the lunatic asylum
by six months more of her model house
keeping.
ssNot at all. A man who has made al
| unfortunate marriage certainly needs al
the aid and sympathy his family ca1
| give him.
!, The last straw was laid upon the cam
els back. Herbert spoke hotly:
You are entirely mistaken, Lima! :