The Republican journal., 1882-02-09
Susie's Leisure Day.

! her voice was trl11e impatient, as she
responded
"Nes; ma'am"
at is time to set the table,
"Oh, dear" sighed Susie. ''Good-by,
| girls, l'ye got to go in"
She opened the gate, and went slowly
and rather sullenly up the broad walk
I EIel mother had kindled the fire for the
| evening meal, and was seated at the win
dow improving the last hours of daylight
to finish a piece of sewing.
"Oh, dear" again sighed Susie, fling
Ing the table-clo across the table, and
setting the plates around noisily and not
very Regularly. 81 wish there was no
such thing in the world as setting the
table, or else wish we were rich enough
to keep a servant. Now, there's Jessie
RamsdelI, she doesn't have a thing to do
She can lie in bed in the morning until it
is almost time for school, and she never
has to be called in from her play to wash
the dishes or set the table"
DO you think you would be happier if
you had no home duties to perform P"
asked Mrs. Copeland.
''Happier ?" echoed Susie Il should
like to try it for Just one day. Dear ME 3!
there's not enough butter up here for sup
per, and suppose I've got to 60 down in
that dark old cellar for more"
She snatched knife from the tray
opened the cellar door with a bang, and
tIattered noisily down the stairs.
When she returned with the replenish-
ed plate, her mother said "Straighten
the cloth, my dear, and place the dishes
more regularly. Now run out in the gar
den, and get few flowers for the table
30 that it will look inviting to your papa
and Robbie, When you come in, have
something to tell you"
This caused Susie to put some life in
her movements, and she hurried from the
garden to hear what her mother had to
tell.
80 you think you would enjoy having
nothing to do for whole day?' asked
Mrs. Copeland.
II guess | would"
We'll, tomorrow is Saturday. As
there is no school, you can have the day
for yourself"
so mamma, to do Just as like, and not
have single solitary thing to do ?" asked
Susie, eagerly.
"Just as you like. You needn't get up
if you don't want to-"
ooh, goody, goody' cried Susie. IA
whole day to do nothing in, and Satur-
day especially" :"
For Saturday was always busy day in
the Copeland family, and Susie was called
\ upon to wash dishes, stone raisins, beat
eggs, and do the many other little things
\ by which children can save their tired
mothers much labor.
Her last waking thought that night
was the pleasant enc Of her coming leis-
ure day and when she heard the ringing
Of the rising bell the next morning, she
turned lazily on her pillow, and said,
"Thank goodness that's not for me-"
When she at last made her appearance
downstairs, it was nearly ten o'clock.
The table was still set, and her breakfast
was on the stove hearth.
''Well, lady Susie smiled her mother
who looked flushed with her hard morn
ings work, ''will you take your breakfast
nOW?'
"Yes'm," replied Susie, preparing to
carry her food into the dining room
But her mother took the dishes from
her hand, saying: II will wait on you.
You are to do nothing to-day, you know"
Susie looked rather shamed- faced, but
she took her seat at the table and tried to
enjoy her breakfast. 1t was hard work,
however. She missed the cheerful talk
of the family table, and her solitary gran
deur did not add to her appetite.
She dawded about the house and gar
den until the early dinner after which
she went to her room and arrayed her
self in her very best dress; for she
thought as she tied her sash and fastened
her bracelets: "If | am to be lady, |
must dress like one. But how funny it
seems to have these clothes on at home i.
| wonder if dare put on my locket Of
course, mamma said | was to do just as
liked"
She took from its box locket which
had been sent to her by her godmother
and which she was seldom allowed to
wear; for Mrs. Copeland thought it too
fine for her station in life. Now however
she fastened it about her neck, and felt
indeed that she was a lady.
She minced down the front stairs, and
entered the parlor in her most graceful
manner. Opening the shutters of the
bay window, she sank into an easy chair,
arranged her rutfled skirts carefully about
her, crossed her slippered feet upon a
hassock, took a handsomely bound book
in one hand, and let the other fall grace
fully over the arm of the chair.
This is ever so much better than
washing dishes or sewing over and over"
she thought complacently. III wish some
one would 60 by and see me-some of the
girls. My wouldn't they be astonished
| wonder how | look?" She twisted her
self around so as to catch partial
glimpse of herself in the mirror, and prac-
ticed all manner of attitudes until she
noticed three or four of her girl friends
approaching. She quickly assumed a
graceful position, put up her hand to see
that her locket hung right, and was in
tent on her book when they halted be-
meath the window
"Hullo Susiew called Matte Grey.
Susie languidly looked up and bowed
politely.
"Come on out! We're going down to
the brook for jacks in the pulpit"
Susie shook her head.
won't your mother let you come out ?"
"Yes.n
Now, going for jacks was favorite ex-
pedition of Susie's; but she could not 90
with all her finery on, and it was too
much trouble to take it off.
What are you all dressed up for ?"
asked Maggie Bird"
"Oh, nothing" said Susie.
The girls exchanged looks of suspicion,
whispered together, then one said aloud
"Suse Copeland, you're going to have
party, we know! And you're just as
mean as you can be not to ask u.s."
In vain Susie protested that such was
not the case. They "knew better. What
else was she so dressed up for? And
with her locket especially"
So they went off mad, saying "she'd be
sorry when they had company without