Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-02-11

signed Mrs. rage, gIanclng Sauty around
the room "Ah-h this is what comes
of fine ladies for wives -
It was not exactly a logical con-
clusion, but it seemed to afford wondrous
consolation to the old woman, who
Immediately united her bonnet- strings,
and prepared TO make herself at
home"
els this money N the pocket. book
all you've got left, Charles z" demanded
his mother, about ten days after their
unexpected arrival.
Yes, mother"
"Only five dollars; and the rent will
come due tomorrow, and there's bill
for groceries enough to make ones hair
stand ON end--and as for milk, don't
see how men can sleep at night who
charge ten cents a quart for milk that's
haif water. And nobody knows how
much the doctors bill is going to be,
and Bridget's wages-but I'll discharge
her tomorrow morning. If your wife
can't do the housework of these few
rooms, can"
Charley Page closed his eyes wearily,
and pressed his hand upon his throb
bing temples. 1t was not the best
course of treatment for feverish
patient, this enumeration of domestic
troubles but old Mrs. Page had never
been i'll herself, and consequently made
little allowance for the weak and worn
out state of her son.
&c don't know what Laura's doing up
in her room, said the old lady. "She
had great deal better buy wash-tub
and bar of yellow soap. and DO the
family washing instead of putting it out,
and spending her time Whiting poetry.
Laura has been the most tender and
devoted of nurses to me, and [ will
listen TO no aspessions of her conduct,
interrupted Charles Page, Indignantly.
Mrs. Page screwed her lips tightly to-
gether. as she turned the solitary note
over and over, but she ventured on no
more derogatory remarks down. stairs.
Creeping like veritable pussy cat up
the staircase, she entered her daughter
in-law's apartment with the stealthy
movement peculiar to that quadruped.
Painting, eh, Mrs. Charles? Let
me tell you / think it's your duty to at
tend little more TO the housework and
less to your fine amusements up here
Do you see this note ? it's all we've got
left in the house, and if you think it's
going to support you in idleness you re
mistaken"
"Is Charles alone, mother p
eyes, lie is alone but as was say
ing"
81 think we had better join him."
Old Mrs. Page hobbled down after
Laura's graceful movements, grumbling
as she went
Laura" said her husband, with a
troubled face, "mother tells me that our
funds are getting low -
"Only five-dollar bill left" said the
old lady, clutehing at it greedily, as If
fearful that ii would take wings unto
itself and vanish into thin air.
"And, resumed her son, "what are
we to do? ?"
"Might as well ask advice of the big
gist wax doll in the shoparound the cor
ner." grumbled Mrs. Page, soto roce.
"See, Charles"
Laura had opened her little porte
monnaie, and was showering its contents
on the bed, close to Charies's hand.
My gracious me !" calculated the
old lady, "where did all these bills
come from ?"
" One hundred dollars My dearest
wife, how did you get this p
Laura's cheek flushed high with pride
and qualification.
"My little picture of Spring in the
! Wilderness was sold this morning,
Charles and have orders for two
more at the same pricel'
"a hundred dollars.--for trumpery
picture!' gasped Mrs. Page, senior, un-
der her breath, yet looking at Laura
ROW with Difference and admiration
dawning in her face. The woman who
could earn hundred dollars by week S
work was not to be despised.
Charles Pages eyes filled with tears !;
he pressed his lips lovingly to the hand
whose whiteness Mrs. Page had so de-
spised.
"My dear little wife my helpmate
mdeedl" he murmured, softly.
"You must not wear that serious face
any longer, Charles" she said, hiding
the depth of her emotion by an assumed
playfulness. ''We shall have plenty of
money now to last us all until you get
well, and mother spoke it with
aii ChoAN Sidii idy u OiO lo1 uo ottSA
the most economical fashiou!'
But, to Laura's astonishment, the old
lady jumped up, and threw her arms
around her neck with curious hysteri-
cal sob.
Laura, I've been wrong all this time
I've been conceited, obstinate old
foolw
"Motherr
'I have-and there's no use making a
secret of it, I've scorned and despised
you, and been as ugly as Cain to you,
and now
Now we will forget it all and begin
anew, mother" said Laura, soothing the
old woman's agitation with tender kiss
1t was not until Mrs. Page the elder
had had her attention called to the pre-
eminent necessity of an apple pudding
for dinner, that she left off reproachmg
herself and crying on Lauras shoulder.
"Fur | have been such an old Witch
of Endcr to you," she remarked, most
truthiully, as she went into the kitchen.
And Charles Page, smiling up IN his
wife's face as the door closed, said:
you have conquered her, Laura"
The Tramp.
A Boston tramp appealed1to man OF
I onrarouS instincts the other dov for ten