National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-18
A sERAPHfc ROMANCE.

on Monday morning Madolin Mulcahey rose
knowing that she must struggle with the wash
tub She had no stationary tubs nor was the family
mansion plumbed for Konomoc She was COM
PEELED TO lug her supply OF water from the wayside
wen that Ind been embalmed in verse, aud,
IN the absence Of a crank, to lower and raise
the bucket with her No 10 hands. She was almost
clean gone when she had completed tho prelimi-
nareS and rolled up her sleeves TO tackle the wash
Brave as she was, an involuntary shudder crawlod
over her when she stood face TO face with tho
weeks accumulation OF soiled garments For a
moment she qualed and contemplated throwing
up the sponge. She might have gnominlously
surrendered to her feelings and shrunk from the
dread encounter but as she stood trembling in the
balance between duty and pleasure her fond mo-
ther came in with pan ofsoft soap. She saw that
Madolin needed bracng in order to get through
with the wash and be ready for the duties Of iron
ing.dny. Darling" she sad "tell inc the fondest
wish of your young heart, thedream of your young
ambition It shall be realized IL your wash is fin
ished and hung out by five p. m. sharp" Madolip
was silent. She seemed absorbed in deepest
thought. She was about to speak, when the old
woman interrupted her and said: "I can read my
darlings mind. She fears to ask all that she
would have, Tell me, Maddy dearest, are you not
craving both three cent paper and copy Of Edel-
WetssY You have struck it, mother Madolin
replied. "But feel that II Is too much TO ask this
double boon of you, And yet cannot choose be.
tween lne TWO. l 40 want, on 20 mucn, 10 rchu
the masterpiece Of the Rogcrno poet, but have
heard that the three cent paper this evening is to
havC not only Lydia Pnkhams portrait but
withoutit"
Mrs. Mulcahey's face lighted up with a swe ct
smile of contentnent and relief. you shall have
them both, my child" she CRIED "for five cents
they throw in n copy Of Bdelwelss with the paper.
aud for this one night can 20 without my beer"
scInphic smile OF sweetest cOntentment over
spread Madolin's mug. She buried her hands
IN the soft soap aud tackled the wash. All day
long she washed and hummcd sweet snatchcs Of
song. Life seemed bright and charming AtiiSQ
p M she stuck the las. "f5ihvs. pi on the line.
anu iesl pSs as fresh as daisy, planked herself
IN rocking chair, and with u heart fairly bub-
DING over with JOY, awaited the arrival Of the
puryeyor of the three-cent paper. He was late,
for the usual addition Of 100 new subscribers had
been made :" In your mind" that morning, and
necessitated Just double the usual press work.
Finally the bell rang aud the ncwsboy ohucked
the paper over the front yard fence She grasped
" tremuously and turned to the Monday essay. As
she read itshe became conscious Of vague feeling
of disappointment She had expected itwoud be
nineteenth century aiIalr and tell of something
that would discount soft.soap But, Instead, il
dealt with Indians who never more would WELD
tomRhawk or lit n scalp. II was affecting and
soothing. Gradually, as she pertsed the histort-
cal rehash of the events of two hundred years ago,
feeling of rest and repose stolo over her, and
when, ten minutes later, the old woman came In
marked the place where she left of with clothes.
pin. Wake mo carly, mother dear" she gently
inurmured, as the old lady put her I'm her little
bed. 3" / will finish II Tomorrow night after am
through with the ironing How sweet II was. But
why did he call II n washday essay" Her mother
then the Mulcohey family was wrapped In SUM
Dcr.-Penny Prc3s.