Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-25
A Word In Season.

be best for filling in. | must try just few
stitches before Edward comes home"
nervous glance at the clock to be SURF
that there are few minutes still before
dinner time and a redoubled application Il
the fascinating work.
Enter Edward, alias Mr. Bevan.
"Well, Hester, is dinner ready ? | am in
an extra hurry this noon; have a ellen
waiting for me in the Office"
"Yes, l suppose it's ready. gave Mag
gle her orders Just after breakfast"
Mrs. Bevan fastened to the dining-room
Dinner was not on the table. Then to the
kitchen. The vegetables we're in course Of
preparation. The steak was uncooked
Maggie was looking out of the window.
How is this, Maggie2 Mr.. Bevan has
come and you have nothing ready"
"Sure, it's yourself told me that you'd lei
me know, mum, when to be broiling the
steak. And, faith, didn't suppose you'd
be wanting the rest of the dinner without
the mate"
Mrs. Bevan's memory told her that Mag.
gle was right, and that she herself, rather
than her servant, was in fault.
After long quarter of an hour, which
was spent by Mr.. Bevan in a vain effort to
draw consolation from the daily paper, and
by his wife in an impatient lowering over
the kitchen fire, the meal was at length
served
But it was by far the most unpleasant one
slnce tne honeymoon Inc young husband
was annoyed, noC 10 say Vexed' on account
VI Vue h1tie UnougnO WHICH hau oeen taken
for his convenience. The petted bride con.
sdered herself wronged by the evident dis
pleasure of Edward. He had no need, she
felt, to treat small matter SO gravely.
1t was the first oftense, too; he might pass
1t over without such a sober face. What
encouragement was that to her 2
Thus Hester pouted, while Mr.. Bevan
silently swallowed his food and then took
his departure.
A trifing incident, some would say; an
occurrence not worthy OF notice. But who
can deny that a little trouble such as this
has again and again proved the entering
wedge to separate chief friends ? Who can
tell to what serious consequences this first
home grievance might have led Happily, a
word in season, kindly reproof came to the
wife that very afternoon.
Left once more to the solitude of her own
reflections, she again seated herself by the
window and resumed her embroidery.
But somehow its charm was gone. The
silk, drawn by impatient fingers, knotted
grew involved and obscure. Mrs. Bevan's
cheeks flushed and her eyes shone with a
feverish brightness. Still she worked on,
careless or ignorant Of the fact that she was
sacrificing health, comfort and happiness
for the time being, through her engrossment
in the making OF that one elegant trifle.
Soon, however, caller was announced,
Mrs. Janeway, her former teacher, her faith
full counselor and friend.
swell, Hester what is the mattsrP You
iook very tired or are you Ill No; then
l want you 10 take walk with me- Inc
iresh air Is what you need 10 make you look
IKE yourself again: AND L need com
Panlon, Tor am going all the way to Mrs.
rivers Ihe poor woman has received bad
news from her only son, ana she Is very dis
consoiate'
hester iolded her work with sigh and
leit IL reluctantly, but she felt that she could
not ~ refuse SO cheery an invitation.
me can made ana WIDOW comtorted, the
Two friends strolled on, allured by the tempt
ing brightness OF the afternoon. Mrs. Jane
way GUIDED the conversation to different
topics, TO books which both had read, to be-
nevoieht schemes which were In contempa-
t,on' 10 recent WORKS oil art. With the
shfeWdness porn OF intimate acquaintance
snip sne had guessed at some slight friction
IN the me Oh her younger friend, but with
rare WISDOM sne forepore to ask any ques-
lions In regard to 1t.
On tne way home' however, Hester made
confession am SO glad you came for
me to-day for | am sure needed just this
walk auu talk' 10 you know that l was
getting myself into real fret over fancy
work Dld you notice 1t Isn't it pretty :?
am making IL Tor Edwards birthday, He
IS SO fond oil having handsome ornaments
ABOUT the rooms, and L am ambitious to
make tne mousse as attractive as possible. l
think That man ought to have beautiful
thlngs around him when he comes home
urea from MS business. Don't you n
MRS, Janeway smiled. Certainly, she adj
mitted' every woman ought to do what she
can 10 add 10 the beauty and grace OF her
surroundings, provided that in her devotion
TO TINS object she does not neglect other and
equally Important duties. But did Hester
think 1T quite the best way to tire herself as
she had done that morning?
Testers beautiful cheeks again turned
crimson, and this time with shame, as she
replied
You are very charitable in supposing
that was merely tired, but to tell the truth,
was out OF humor too. You see that
was 30 interested In my sewing that forgot
TO attend to dinner, although know it is
very important for Edward to have his meals
promptly. Then became worried when
found that we were behind time, and
thought that Edward was cross and unrea.
sonapie because he didn't talk to me, al
though really suppose that the poor fellow
was IN TOO much OF hurry to converse.
AFTER TINS l shall be prompt"
A good resolution for any one to make
But, my dear, you will pardon me for say
ing mat / think II is hardly sufficient in the
present case, 19u need to make resolu'
slon !nat snall embrace not only your hour
Ior ulnher, ou. all the hours OF every day
IN other Words' you need to make more
metnouical arrangement oil your time Now
KNOW perfectly wei now natural 1t Is toI
you 10 spend one day In sewing, the next IN
reaalhg, the next IN some other occupation
Wmen may happen to present itself to you
In DOING TINS you allow yourself to be gov
eineu py circumstances, and very often by
circumstances which you might easily con
tToi. now DO not be offended with you
old teacher, put allow me to say that by thi'