Democratic messenger., 1881-10-01

IdSb dSlecp. AAO pOOf CnlIu mao IOr-
gotten her troubles, and the morning
would show things in a more promising
light. He would DO everything he could
TO make up for the Mazonsons, and after
little everything would go smoothly
enough. Mr.. Stickney would not have
been so certain of this if he had seen the
tear-stained face and quivering lids.
Ignorant of all this, and in spite of his
ten years experience as a husband,
utterly ignorant of the delicacy and
sensitiveness of true woman's nature,
Mr.. Stickney went calmly and comfort
ably to sleep.
The next morning, after waiting to be
called to breakfast, Mrs. Stickney, in
the daintiest of muslin wrappers, pre-
sented herself in the dining-room. Her
husband bad just finished his early
mornings work, and now greeted her
with smile and kiss. The elder Ma
zonson looked exceedingly flushed and
Aurried, and Maria and Susan Mazon-
son flew briskly round at the bidding of
their superior officer.
81 beg your pardon, said Mrs, Stick
ney, in her calmest and coolest manner,
ct thought breakfast was ready 1
hope am not intruding."
A smile played round the lips of Miss
Susan, who, in spite of her dreadful
name, was not altogether so hideous as
Florence had thought at first sight.
The rightful occupant of the chair at
the head of the table waited to see if
Mrs. Mazonson would occupy it, and
finding that she did, went calmly round
| o,,1 hxy bor hI1chopI
eyes, breakfast is ready" said Mrs.
Mazonson, in voice between a growl
and groan. It's been ready some
time"
81 hope you slept well last night,
Mrs. Stickney?" This from Maria
Mazonson, whose voice Florence now
heard for the first time.
every well, thank you," Mrs. Stick
ney cordially replied.
"You slept late enough, if that's any
sign," said Mrs. Mazonson in her most
sepulchral tone.
" | always sleep late, Mrs. Mazonson, F"
Florence replied, as she slowly poured
the cream into her coffee.
"You can't sleep late on this farm
very well," the elder lady began again,
her face ablaze. "I've been up since
half past four" she went on, "and now
it's half past seven. I've SKINNED
eighteen pans of milk, washed all the
pans, and made twenty-five pounds of
butter this morning"
"You must be very tired" Mrs.
Stickney remarked, looking the irate
dame innocently in the face.
Well, guess I'm tired" the house
keeper replied ''The girls helped me
all they could, and"
ooh, ma. Susan interrupted, flush
ing painfully as she spoke, why
shouldn't we help you, 1 should like to
know ?"
At this point Nh. Stickney made up
her mind that she was goiffif2s, to like one
OF the Mazonsons after all. Co
they got this breakfast. [ "
you to understand" Mrs. Mazonson
finished what she had to say in spite of
interruption.
sit is a very nice breakfast" Florence
remarked. 81 don't know when I have
enjoyed anything so much"
'Mr. Stickney glanced at his wife
There was something in the tone which
reminded him of the barn-yard tete-a-
tete. There must certainly be an under
standing between himself and his wife
right away, he thought. 1t would never
do to let things go on in this style.
Mrs. Mazonson must be rebuked also.
Her attitude was certainly very objec-
tionable, and should be corrected imme-
diately. Meantime Mrs. Stickney eat
her breakfast with relish, and passed
her cup for some more coffee. (Which
of you ladies" indicating the Misses
Mazonson, ''made this coffee?' she
asked, pleasantly. cit certainly is de-
licious."
"Neither of 'em made it," Mrs. Ma
zonson answered, promptly. "Do you
think I'd trust anybody to make coffee
but myself?"
Mrs. Stickney had decided that her
platform should be plainly understood
both by her husband and the Mazonsons
before she left the dining-room. 1t
promised to be hard battle to fight !;
but the young wife had courage enough
now for host of husbands and regi-
ment of frs wifes relations.
''Are you going to be very busy to-
day, Hubert 2 Mrs. Stickney asked her
husband, as the meal drew to a close.
81 have bee2 away so long that my
days will be occupied for some time to
come" the gentleman replied.
perhaps, then, Miss Susan or Miss
Maria would go to ride with me this MORN
ing ?" and Florence threw glance full
of sweetness at the Misses Mazonson.
''It is such lovely morning y she con
tinued "and after little it will be too
warm, fear"
Mrs. Stickney waited a moment for
some kind of response, and receiving
none, said, "You would like to accom-
pany me, would you not, Miss Susan?"
This young lady was on the point of
replying, but her mother came in ahead.
'Hubert," she began, 81 should think
it was high time you gave your wife to
understand what kind of place she has
come to live in. | don't suppose this
wife can gad off and leave the work.
and now Mrs. Mazonson's voice shook
with grief or anger, Florence did not
know which-''any more than your first
wife, my daughter, Mr.. Stickney. She
never lett the work till it was done"
Perhaps if she had left it occasion
ally, she might be living now" the sec
ond Mrs. Stickney coolly suggested. At
this crisis Mrs. Mazonson sniffied. and
Miss Susan left the table.
Florence will become accustomed
to our ways after awhile" Mr.. Stickney
responded, with so much consideration
in his tone for tho tvrant a. H. Lo.I e