Iron County register., 1881-12-29


Now, Emma had found John q de-
ightful lover. and had foolishly expect
ed that he would be quite as delightful
as husband, and it hurt and offended
her to be lectured on extravaganza and
treated like child in regard TO money
matters.
And thus the cloud over the domestic
horizon was very dark indeed.
"Only last New Years Eve," mur-
INJURED Emma, as for the hundredth
time she went to the window to look out
at the stormy night, II was at home, and
John and sat out the old year; and he
said that when it died again we would
be together at the old farm. Oh, dear!
never thought it would be passed in
this way! How many plans we madei
And, oh. dear! now John does nothing
but scold about expenses! And just to
think of his not coming home as he
promised! He knows, too, how nervous
am, and how frightened get if left
alone.'' s%EA |s5E5 EkFTl
When the clock struck half-past two,
all hope or expectation of her husbands
coming left Emma's heart, and she
threw herself on her bed and fell into q
light and troubled sleep.
1t was broad daylight when she
awoke, and the kitchen clock was loudly
striking six. After hasty toilet she
hurried downstairs, and found Hannah
making the kitchen fire. q,
"Hannah, Mr.. Chester didn't come
home last night, and am almost wor-
ried to death, ," said Emma, going to the
window to look out. w.
"Mayhap he staid in the town." said
Hannah, who never worried about any
thing.
1t was still showing, and the ground
was covered a foot deep. AS Emma
turned from the window the hired man
came trudging in, making path from
the stable with his cowhide boots. 81
ssJim,'' said Emma, II want you to
take horse and ride straight to Barn
vile. Mr.. Chester did not come home
last night, and 1 must find out what is
the matter. Lose no time"
6 No use in going, ma'am,' said the
man, ''for Mr.. Mallows passed by
few minutes ago, and he said as how
Mr.. Chester and he staid at the Ameri-
can House all night. He said they had
a regular breakdown there, and the
young folks danced till mornin'. Mr..
Chester II be along soon. He had to
wait to have some work done to the
wagon
Emma became very pale as she lis
tened to Jim's story, and when he had
finished she turned quickly to Hannah.
IS Get out the tubs,'' she said, sharply.
"We'll get the washing out of the way
to-day"
"But you said''-began the girl.
&c No matter what said. I've changed
my mind. There is no sense in trying
to keep New-Year's Day. I'll see to
the breakfast, and you get to the wash
ing"
Hannah went down cellar after the
tubs, and was soon at her work, which
she performed quietly and methodically.
But Emma was in no humor to follow
her servants example. She had never
in her life been so angry as now, and
calmness was out of the question. She
banged the pots and kettles about at
such rate, and was so impetuous in
her movements, that she ended in turn
ing the contents of the boiling hot tea
kettle over her left hand, scalding it and
the wrist very badly.
1t was long time before she could do
anything to relieve the pain, and of
course she forgot all about breakfast,
and Hannah had to prepare hasty
meal of cold meat and fried potatoes for
herself and Jim. ca
1t was high noon when John Chester
at last came in, and he thought he had
never seen a more disordered kitchen.
Hannah, between the washing and at
tending to the numerous wants of her
nervous mistress, had had no time to
wash the dishes or put things in order,
and when John came in she was down
cellar hanging up the clothes, which
could not be dried out of doors.
- John was about to cross the kitchen to
go in quest of his wife, when his eyes
fell upon the platter pieces piled up un-
der the table. He knew at once what
had been broken, and surveyed the ruin
with a clouded brow.
81 tried to impress upon Emma the
danger of letting Hannah use that dish,'
he muttered, "but, as usual, my wishes
are not attended to in the least.''
He opened the hall door, and went
upstairs, taking no pains to tread gently.
He usually paid that much respect to
Emma's nerves, but just now he didn't
care.
His wife lay on the bed, still in her
rumpled wrapper, and the disorder of
the bedroom was almost worse than
that of the kitchen.
"Well, Emma, and why are you in
bed this time of dayp What on earth is
the matterP And New-Year's Day,
too!''
"New- Years Day." repeated Emma,
starting up from her pillow. "The
least you say about that the better. I
don't see how you could treat me so
cruelty. l never slept at all, my poor
nerves were in such a condition. You
knew I couldn't, and you did it on pur-
pose!''
GA nice reception" said John, in a
cold, sarcastic tone, "but what else
could expect?"
"What else did you deserveP" cried
Emma, whose much-abused nerves were
thoroughly unstrung. "To leave me
all alone the whole day and night, and
to spend your ew-Year's Eve carous-
ing at a tavern"
John grew very pale, and set his