The Red Cloud chief., 1882-01-05

DOly JOOk tne matter qulte phllO-
sophically. She had loved her mother
dearly; still. having good sound sense,
she saw that a woman's help was need
ed in her fathers house, of all others.
True, she had no hope for those boys,
but could not bear TO think the little
ones would go to ruin by the same road
and by the elder boys guidance.
Then, too. the young clerk had an
increase of salary; and, under the cir
cunlstances, what more natural than
that their hearts should turn TO a home
all their own? So it happened Dolly
was not ayerse TO her fathers mar
riage-on the whole. rather glad of it;
and, when she met her step-mother
for the first time each knew ach other
for a friend. The little ones welcomed
| the new member of the family with af-
lection; but the boys held alOof. with
curious chances and %unfriendly airs. II
this woman thought TO have them in
leading strings she might as well find
out her mistake at first.
Dolly's wedding occurred Just two
weeks after the coming of the
new wife and mother, and it was the
occasion of the first real outbreak on
the boys part.
Mrs. Hazlett was a tall, fine
looking woman. and they had
been inspired at the first with a
wholesome respect for her; still, as
the DAYS went on. and she seemed
pleasant and kind, they came to think
she would allow them their way, as
their own mother had been glad TO do.
Dolly invited her young friends, and
Mrs. Hazlett determined the cuisine
should be as rear perfect IS possible.
SO the preparations were made, and
the cake was a very miracle of beauty.
This Dolly put away carefully, under
lock and KEY, and before Mrs. HaZlett
retired, she viewed, with a satisfied air,
the loads of daintics on the pantry
shelves.
The morning dawned. The guests
arrived, and soon the mOmentous hour
came, when Dolly-swect AND fresh and
fair, in her white robes and blossoms
was united 10 the man OF her choice.
Then followed the usual congratula-
tions, and mayhap a tear or two from
the pretty eyes of the bridesmaids, and
amid the buzz and hustle the housewife
stole away. to oversee the completion
OF the WcdulnI DrcakIlSl-
But with what amazements she glanced
in the pantry, so daintily arranged the
night before. A farmers d~espairing
Glance over awind-toSsed field of ripen-
ing grain was scarcely a comparison.
Pies devourcd, the ilaky crust
sprinklcd over the ashen floor like rose
petals, cake dcSpoiled, and preserves
dripping everywhere.
4 long look of amazement, of silent
considerations; but an old neighbor,
looking over her shoulder, struck the
keynote of the trouble at once.
"The boys have been helping them
selves, Their mother never could keep
swectmeats from them"
But Mrs. HaZlctt was not one to fold
her hands in despair. Twenty minutes
swift work put all TO rights; and,
though the wedding breakfast was not
rs perfect as she had planned it, no one
but herself, her help and those boys
were the wiser. Luckily the brides
cake was safe. Dolly's f~oreihought had
saved that.
But il there was n turmoil in Mrs.
Hazlctt's mind, no one guessed it, look
ing at her calm and pleasant face.
The morning passed. and the young
wedding pair departed. followed by
kind wishes and pleasant jests; and aft
or a while the guests went away, too,
and the family were alone.
That evening Mrs. Hazlett took the
bows TO task for their misdemeanor. AZ
first they seemed TO regard the matter
|. in the light of a good joke. then grew
sullen. But she did not leave them in
that mood. Her tanner was earnest,
vet kind; and before she was through
with her lecture, their faces had
Heightened to gravity, and they really
seemed convinced that their actions
had been wrong.
The discovery that their education had
been sadly neglected was not long hid
. den from her Keen mind.
: The farmer assured her they wOulC
/, not 90 to school-their very ignorance
/, was their greatest shame now. He
> course was promptly decided.
. The eldest coIld read tolerably
First, she coaXed him to read LITTLE
scraps of news to her from the village
, paper, while she sewed in the evenings
Mike and PUG amused themselves, ere
while, 10y plying Puss with a broker
spur-but grew drowsy. Even jim
yawned over the locals. But shor
sketches were introduced after an eve
ing or two, and their interest in quie
pursuits gradually awakened.
= After awhile she discovered she wa
'" growing somewhat rusty in grammar
Indeed, she feared she WAS torgettin,
: what little arithmetic she had learned
= and was sadly at a loss in geography.
The farmer did not see that it mad
any difference if she had. Secretly, h
thought grammar would not help max
: the butter, and geography poor aid fc
+, 4 housekeeper.
But he wisely let his wife have he
" own way. without interference, sine
, she permitted him TO doze in his gre:
:, chair during the exercises.
) For she needed strong. young eyes I
help her; besides, she must keep bus
fingers at her sewing.
She was very stupid too-the hoy
, would have to read a lesson to her SCI
4; eral times, before she could repeat i
!. and then she would blunder, and hay
= to be laughed at and corrected Tn
~ would have proved dull work TO oil
Young savages. but for these san
- blunderS.
20 But she amused them, and then the
70 grew interested, and before the whit,
was ended. the evening lessons we
"a looked forward to eagerly; for The
began study in earnest, and of the
st own accord.
She had been acquiring gradually
"A great influence over them, and a hi
now, and a word then, which had
is the force. and yet was not q comman
had brought their manner up to a CT
10 ilized standpoint
a The winter had been close and col
and these evenings with their books HI
ia kept them at home.
ed Their presence at spelling schools w
much missed by the clique whose lea
y ers in mischief they svowedly were.
err But spring found them much sober,
in down, and conscious of having an Al
"a in life.
it Mrs. Hazlett was not a fair-weath
en- Christian, BY any means. But she h
stayed at home from church {