Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-10-06

A smile played round the lips OF
Miss Susan. who, in spite of her dread
full 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
and sat by her husband.
Yes, breakfast is ready" said Mrs.
Mazonson, in voice between growl
and groan. "It's been ready some
time"
ST hope you slept we'll last night,
Mrs. Stickney2" This from Maria
Mazonson, whose voice Florence heard
now for the first time.
"Very 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.
II always sleep late, Mrs. Mazonson,"
Florence replied, as she slowly poured
the cream into her coffee.
"You can't sleep late on this. farm
very we'll" 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. Stick
ney remarked, looking the irate dame
innocently in the face.
g Well, guess I'm tired, the house
keeper replied. "The girls helped me
all they could, and"
"Oh. ma," Susan interrupted, flush
ing painfully as she spoke, 'swhy
shouldn't we help you, I should like to
know p
At this point Mrs. Stickney made up
her mind that she was going to like one
of the Mazonsons after all.
they got this breakfast. / want
you to understand" Mrs. Mazonson
finished what she had to say in spite Of
interruptions.
"Tt is very nice breakfast" Florence
remarked. 81 don't know when
have enjoyed anything so much"
Mr.. Stickney glanced at his wife.
There was something in the tone which
reminded him OF the barnyard tete-a-
tete. There must certainly be an under
standing between himself and his wife
right away, he thought. It would never
do to let things go onin this style. Mrs.
Mazonson must be rebuked also. Her
attitude was certainly very objection
able, and should be corrected immedi-
ately. Meantime Mrs Stickney ate her
breakfast with relish, and passed her
cup for some more coffee. ss Which of
you ladies, indicating the Misses Ma
zonson, "made this coffee ?" she asked,
pleasantly. sit certainly is delicious"
Neither OF 'em made it." Mrs. Ma
zonson answered, promptly. "Do you
think I'd trust anybody to make coffee
bnt myself?"
Mrs. Stickney had decided that her
platform should be plainly understood
both by her husband and the Macon
sons 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 first wife's relations.
Are you going to be very busy to-day,
Hubert p Mrs. Stickney asked her hus-
band, as the meal drew to close.
II have been 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
morning r. and Florence threw glance
full of sweetness at the Misses Macon
son. g 1t is such lovely morning |"
she continued; "and after a little it
will be too warm, / fear"
Mrs. Stickney waited moment for
some kind of q response. and receiving
none, said: " You would like to accom-
pany me, would you not, Miss Susan p
This young lady was on the point Of
replying, but her mother came in ahead.
Hubert" she began Il 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 didn't
know which" any more than your first
wife, my daughter, Mr. Stickney. She
never left the work until it was DONE"
perhaps if she had left it occasion.
ally she might be living now" the
second Mrs. Stickney coolly suggested.
At this crisis Mrs. Mazonson snif1ed,
and Miss Susan left the table.
"Florence will become accustomed
to our ways after while, Mr.. Stick
ney responded, with so much considera-
ton in his tone for the tyrant at the
head of the table that his wife felt
ashamed of him. esShe'H work into it
after a while," he added, endeavoring
to appear at his ease.
That furbelowed white gown looks
like working into it !" said Mrs. Macon
son, defantly.
81 am not afraid to trust my wife to
do the proper thing, Mrs. Mazonson,"
Mr.. Stickney remarked, with a tardy
decency.
eff may be allowed, /" the young
wife began, with the deliberation of one
making a mighty effort for self-control,
" I should like to say word As the
brave little woman surveyed the assem-
bled group, there crept into her face
look that one Of the party never forgot.
This one was her husband, who started
to lay determined hand on her arm,
but for some inexplicable reason give
it up. When take my rightful place
as mistress of my husbands house"
Mrs. Stickney went on, then it will
be time enough to talk of my duties.
You may consider me summer boarder,
if you please" she added, smilingly,
"but in whatever light you may regard
me and now the sweet mouth grew
firm, and the fine eyes struck fire -
- please remember that / am the wife
of the proprietor Of this establishment
and the owner Of these acres, and ex-
pect to be treated, if not with kindness,
at least with civility."
should like to see you make
twenty five pounds Of butter before
breakfast, 2, said Mrs. Mazonson. when