The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-06-16

NO home of your own, mother?'
'No--thanks to your father, VIII,
would indorse that note for old Mill
man, and he's lost every cent--ius
what he might have expected, l thinl
and we're as good as beggars in on
old agel But, dear me, what's tn,
matter Charles 2
Then followed explanations and re
citals, much to the relief of Farme
Page, who had instinctively skunk int
the back ground until the violence OF
his wife's wrath should have subsidized
And you're no better off than we bel
sighed Mrs. Page, glancing sadly
around the room. 'Ah---hl ! this is what
comes of fine ladies for wivesI
1t was not exactly a logical con.
clusion, but it seemed to afford wond
rous consolation to the old woman who
Immediately united her bonnet-strings,
and prepared to make herself at
home
is this money in the pocket-book all
you've got left, Charles! 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 quart for milk
that's half water. And nobody knows
how much the doctors bill is going to
be, and Bridget's wages-but III dis
charge her tomorrow morning. II
your wife cant do the housework OF
these few rooms, / can.'
Charley Page closed his eyes wearily,
and pressed his hands upon his throb-
bing temples. 1t was not the best
course of treatment for a 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.
Il 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 writing
poetry.
Laura has been the most tender and
devoted of nurses to me, and / will
listen to no aspersions of her conduct,
interrupted Charles Page, indignant
ly.
Mrs. Page screwed her lips tightly
together, 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 attend
a little more to the housework and less
to your fine amusements up here. DO
you see this note? its all we've got left
in the house, and if you think it's going
to support You in idleness you're mis-
taken.
is Charles alone, mother7'
'Yes, he is alone; but as was say
ing.
4 think we had better Join him.
Old Mrs. Page hobbled down after
Lauras graceful movements, grumbling
as she went.
laura, said her husband with a
troubled face, mother tells me that our
funds are getting low
Only a five dollar bill left, said the
old lady clutching at it greedily, as if
fearful that it would take wings unto
itself and vanish into thin air.
'And, resumed her son, what are
we to do!
might as we'll ask advive of the
biggist wax doll in the shop around
the corner grumbled Mrs. Page, soto
pOce.
See Charles
Laura had opened her little porte
monnaie, and was showering its con-
tents on the bed, close to Charles 8
hand.
My gracious mel calculated the old
lady, where did all these bills come
from!'
'One hundred dollars! My dearest
wife how did you get this,'
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 price!
"A hundred dollars! for n trumpery
picture! gasped Mrs. Page, senior
under her breath, yet looking at Laura
now with Difference and admiration
drawing in her face. The woman who
could earn a hundred dollars by 8
weeks work was not to be- e'despised
Charles Pages eyes filled with tears
he pressed his lips lovingly to the hand
whose whiteness Mrs. Page had sc
despised.
My dear little wife; my helpmatt
indeed! he murmured, softly.
You must not wear that serious fac,
any longer, Charles, she said hiding
the depth of her emotion by an assured
playfulness. we shall have plenty O.
money now to last us all until you ger
well, and mother she spoke it will
an effort-'shall lay it ont for us aftel
the most economical fashion!
But, to Laura's astonishment, the ole
lady jumped up, and threw her arm
around her neck with a curious hysteri
cal sob.
Laura, I've been wrong all this tim
1--we been a conceited, obstinate ol,
fool!
'Mother!'
Il have-and there's no use maxim,
a secret of it I've scorned and despis
ed you, and been as ugly as Cain t
| you, and now
Now we will forget it all aud begi
anew, mother, said Laura, soothing tn
old woman's agitation with a tende
kiss.
| Il.