Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-09-10
ROMANCE OF HOUSE CLEANING.

Is She coming to visit YOU, said Erie
Hale. with Il slight grimacc. That
simpering, fine lady, with the usclcs,
white hands, and the shallow little
laugh? oh, Aunt Della, pack my port
manteau, and let me off on II lecturing
tour until Flora Lees visit comes TO AZ
end
Mrs Dove lookeda little disappoint.
ed. TO confess the truth, She had IS
pecially arranged this visit with refer
ence To her nephew, Erie
He's Il fine Young fellow, She said
10 herself with a true femme diploma
cy. with an excellent parish, and fine
prospects-and its high time he wa
settled in life with 4 wife, and | think
Flora Lee would suit him exactly.
And here was the young man him.
selfupSctting this charming little castle
III the ain without the least scruple oi
conscience, like Il modern iconoclast
that he was.
We'll, Erie, said Mrs. Dove despair
ingly. III write TO her to come. O.
course | don't want 10 put YOU out JUS
when you're 80 busy, 100, with tha'
course Of lectures on the Book of Rovc
Iation' but really think Flora woulc
make the house lively
Its a deal too artificial To suit me.
said Erie Hale. Ask her To come il
lune when shall be off to Omaha anG
Nevada on that conference business
But as for a visitor. | should much pre-
fer little Polly Pepprrcorn's bic VAN
doll. with the silky black hair and III,
staring black eyes, that open and shur
by machinery.
SO Mrs. Dove, choking back the tears
Of disappointment (for She had beer
nursing this pet scheme for Il Ions
vhile), set down and wrote to her flienG
Miss Lee, postponing the proposed ~
iourn at Cedarhorough Farm until
roses should he in bloom, and straw
berries beginning to ripen.
'Adonijah, she said to the hired
man take this letter to the posi-
office.
Yes, nm, said Adoniiah, and Ii,
put il III his pocket and forgot all about
il.
1t was dismal rainy morning ii
April, the yellow ionquills beaten tC
the ground the very wild violets shut
ing mp their eyes rs if in unmitigatcG
disgust at the unprcmising state of tho
weather Overhead racks Of era,
clouds scudded across the heavens, and
the little sheet Of silver lakelet under
the hill was dotted and dimped III
over with the falling rain, as if pierced
with a thousand tiny javelins
It's no use trying, said Mrs Dove
plaintiycly, the fates have conspircd
against me
The carpets were up, the pals d
white-wash stood in the middle Of iii,
parlor floor. and Mrs. Dove herself
with her grey curls tied up in yellow
damask pocket handkerchief which
her great uncle had brought from
China half a century ago sat crying on
the lower ledge ola step ladder. Fol
Betsy, her help, had fallen down tic
stairs and broken her leg, and Mul-
roney, the charwoman. had sent 4
message that her eldest son had
broken out wild the maisles, sure
spcckled all over like shower Of red
pepper-an' sorry a bit of cleanin
could she undertake until the week,
orer."
And these three days Of all others,
sighed Mrs. Dove, when Erie exchang.
ed pulpits with Mr.. Washburn, and lie
50 dislikes house-cleaning; and
Dear, me, Mrs. Dove what is Tho
natter
Mrs. Dove started 70 her feet with j
little startled scrcam--for there, ex
actly il If She had rained down ont 81
the gray, uncompromising zenith, stood
Flora Lee herself in trim, brown
travelling dress. with a neat little hand.
bag. gossamer waterproof. and silk
umbrella Why, Flora cried she
how came YOU here Ii
By train, II course, said Miss lee
and walked from the station
i wrote 10 YOU not to come said
Mrs. Dove, in CONSERVATION.
But | never received any such let.
ter said Miss Lee. Shall ! 60 away
again.
no. YOU darling. sou should Do moth
ing If thc.sort' said Mrs Dove. onthu-
~iastically. III VA only because ~
Mere house-cleaning.
/ am not afraid Of nouse-cleaning
said Flora. j see how it j., with a
comprehensive glance around the
scene Of confusion. and | am going e
nelp You through with it
You 4 said Mr.. Dove.
Yes, ! said Flora Why not
Just lend me one of Betsey's old dresses.
Where is Betsey. ~ tic way
Her father has Just carried her
nome IN the wagon, said Mrs, Dove.
She's broken her lee.
And your charWoman
On, dear oh, dear" said Mrs Dove.
she's got visitation IF measles. III
smallpox, or some horrid disease. III
Ter family And ny nephew Erie, i