The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-09-14


ing the door after her. Stamping
her foot, she gave her bracelet a
twist and flounced into a chair, shov-
ing it against the table, upsetting a
goblet Of water, causing a general
clatter. Her naturally sweet face
was red and distorted with anger
and as she lay back in the rich velvet
chair, she looked like one of the
Furies.
''Aunt Edith she snapped out,
"will you tease mother to let me go
to the Unity party Friday night?'
The lady thus addressed: 81 will
think about It; but Edith, you told
me New Years day that you were
going to restrain that temper of
yours"
my temper is no worse than
than other peoples. Iheard cousin
Fred say the other day that you
used to get pretty high, and do as
you pleased before"
She did not finish the sentence,
for there was something in the pa
tient, sweet face of her aunt that al
ways checked her anger.
''Edith, dear, come and sit by me
l wish to tell you a story
Then she evened the needles of
her knitting and pushed them into
the ball of bright silk, and placed
her work carefully in box by her
side. Edith sat down on the has
sock at her aunt's feet in no envi-
able frame of mind. The lady put
her hand gently on the angry head
before her, and twining her fingers
in the soft curls, she told her niece
why she was a cripple:
"When was a child, was like
you, headstrong and disobedient.
Mother was a good, weak, easy wo-
man, and had rather let me have
my own way than take the trouble
to make me obey her. Father was
cold, stern man, who made US all
afraid of him. 1 think my poor,
quiet mother lived in mortal dread
of his hasty temper and harsh words.
She would always say: Don't tell
your father or Don't let father
and so l thought that as long as he
didn't know that l disobeyed him it
was all right; but 1 found to my
sorrow that it was all wrong, and l
want you to remember, my dear, that
disobedience will surely bring
misery and disgrace.
"When 1 was sixteen Ben Fuller
invited me to attend ball at Con-
cord. His uncle kept the hotel
where the party was to be given,
and as was well acquainted with
his aunt and cousins, l never
dreamed l couldn't go. Ben was to
have his fathers horse and sleigh,
and such fun as we should have
81 ran all the way home from
school to tell mother of it. She was
willing l should go, but said l must
ask my father, because he was terri
bly, angry when l went to skating
party the other evening without his
permission. So waited in perfect
fever for father to come home. l
put his slippers before the fire and
rolled the little table close to his
chair, with the evening paper and
his glasses on it. seldom took the
trouble to do this, but now wanted
a favor, so of course must cater to
his wants. How l hoped he'would
come home pleasant When l heard
him coming l began to tremble for
fear he would say no, but [ said to
myself just what l heard you say
a few minutes ago: II will go, and
no one shall hinder me either
Father came in with lots of cold
air that sent a chill through all of
us. Mother said; Don't ask him
until after he has had his supper
1t seemed as if he never ate so slow
ly or dallied so long over his tea.
At last he finished and dropped in
to an easy chair, with tired, weary
look, that after all these long, long
years 1 can see distinctly, but then
l did not see it; thought he was
only cross.
II went up to him and put my
hand on his shoulder, for l thought
he was going to sleep, and then
SuOulu have W Wdlb ILL hOlhAhS
He opened his eyes with start thai
took him almost out of the chair.
"OhT he said, lis it you, Edith
L believe 1 am getting nervous
Did you want anythingY
"'Yes, father. have an invita-
ton to go to the military ball a
Concord, next week. Can l go
Say yes, for l do want to 60
"'Who invited you? he saic
looking very stern.
" Ben Fuller asked me. He is tt
have his fathers horse and sleigh
and see, here is a letter from hi
cousin Kate. Oh! we shall hav,
such a nice time! Can goY
"'Let me think said he. "Tel
miles in a sleigh this cold weather
and you have bad cold and cougl
now
"'My cold will be well by Tues
} day. said l, and l have nothing T.
get ready, for you know / had
! new white dress and satin slippers
gloves, ribbons and everything
;; wanted for the christmas party
"'Now stop he said, shutting hi
D eyes. 1 do not think it prudent
, So 90 to bed and say no more abou
Z it.
II left the room feeling the sam
> as you did when you came in heI
. banging the door so furiously. Th
, next day / told Ben l would go, BIT
father was not TO know. So we a.
Q ranged for him To take my banC
= box containing nv ball suit th
night before api h.Ge it in his room
: Father had said in the mornin
: that 1 could go over to my aunt
2 for a few days. 1 did not care niue
!, about going then, but now wante
: to 20 for aunt would keep my secre
She thought father was very stri,
with me, and believed that childre
should have a good time, kill {
n cure So. Monday at the breakfa
= table told father l was going ov,
e t. see my baby cousin, and askC
4 him If l could stay all night.
q q "'Yes, three or four days if yC
d like he replied.
d "Aunt Sue said it was all righ
'r that it was the grandest ball of Il
l. season, and she wished she cou