The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-24
MRS. YOUNGs SACRIFICE.

MRS. YOUNGS SACRIFICE.
The autumn winds had begun to blow
chilly; the dahlias and asters-those
flowers of a departing season-turned
their hardy faces full toward the chill
air, and refused to believe that summer
was, indeed, quite over, and winter near
at hand
Mrs. Young sat in her tidy kitchen,
with her work for once lying idly on her
knee. Her fingers, which still held the
needle, were pushing it, absenUly. in
and out the folds of her large, white
apron, while her eyes stared vacantly
out at the dahlias and asters, without
noticing that they were there.
The kitchen was model of perfect
cleanliness and good order. From the
neat rag-carpet that covered the floor to
the simple white curtains, with their
dainty edging of home knitting, every
thing spoke of busy hands and simple
domestic taste.
Mrs. Young herself was in keeping
with the room. A smooth-faced, brown
haired, placid browed woman, in whose
whole aspect was written the story of
an honest, pure, helpful life; but to-day
n cloud rested upon the clear white
forehead, droop was noticeable about
the quiet mouth, and the calm brown
eyes had red and swollen lids, which
told plainly of a mind disturbed.
e It's too badr' she said aloud, adj
dressing the Haunting flowers; " don t
know how / can refuse, but 1 dom t
think it Just, and l never SHALL l have
worked hard, and have done my very
best, and its no more than right that I
should enjoy the fruit of my labors after
all these yearsr' and Mrs. Young
glanced with pardonable pride at her
snug, cosy kitchen, and on through the
half-open door into the best room, with
its hair-cloth sofa and rosewood table
the pride of her heart,
mother Young never liked me,
never' she continued, still aloud.
when we were first married, and John
brought me home, she was never tired
of laughing at every little blunder, and
telling John that | was about the dUnbcSt
hand at housekeeping she had ever
seen, and seemed to care for nothing
but to fix up!
''Of course L was awkward, for l
never did anything but teach before I
was married; but She might have told
me how to do better instead of laugh
ing at me. And when George was a
baby, why, believe she fairly hated
me because ! would put little white
dresses on him instead of the horrid red
calico ones she used to dress her boys
in; couldn't help it! Goodness knows,
l worked hard enough to make
them and keep them all clean; but
j would have worked harder still,
before | would let my dear little baby
look like such a fright!
/ don't see how / can be expecte Il
TO love her very much, even if she is
II L.
coming here to make it her home! ]
can't bear it! can't! 1 can't!
Tears filled the brown eyes once
more, and would, perchancc have been
but the first drops Of a heavy shower,
had not a sharp click of the garden gate
caused her to look hastily out and as
hastily dry her eyes.
Dear mey' she said, folding her
work up neatly, and sticking the needle
carefully on the red flannel tomato cush-
ion, and winding the thread securely
around it. placing the whole in the ca
pacious wOrk-basket there are Geor-
gle and Jimmie home from school al
ready John will be coming i'm from
the mill soon, and tea won't be ready if
i don't hurry"
So Mrs. Young donned a clean
checked apron and lighting fire in the
cook stove, that shone like black dia-
mond, began TO hustle around prepar-
ing tea. George and Jimmie had not
entered the house when they came from
school, but had gone around the house
and directly TO the mill, whore their
father was Rt work. Tea was nearly
ready when father and sons entered to-
gether. .
"Well, mother, how goes it?'' was
Georges SALVATION; while Jimmie S
first question was" Isn't tea most
ready2'
"Gently, boysr' demonstrated the
father. smilingly; Julie, you viii have
to shut these boys up unless they
keep still; they make more noise than
the mill, and MIR. Young hurried into
the Mushroom to battle his handsome.
honest face and brawny hands, and
brush the luxurious crop of hair, which
time had begun 10 sprinkle with silver,
but not to rob Of its richness and cuy.
Ten minutes later, and the family
was seated around the COSY table. par
taking, with the good appetites of per-
feet health, of the light white bread,
the firm cool butter, slices of ham,
homemade cake, and wholesome canned
fruit
at seems to me, Julie. your bread
crows better and better" said Mr..
Young, helping himself for the third
time.
And seems to me, mother, these
plums are the very best plums in the
whole world" said Jim, with his mouth
full.
ats mn opinion" remarked George,
that mother does eccrgthing Just
rightr' whereupon Mr.. Young and Jim
nodded, in perfect concurrence with that
opinion.
Mrs. Youug's face flushed with pleas
ure, and the rebellious thoughts that
had been her guests all day retreated
into the background; for where is the
really good woman who can listen to
merited praise from husband and chill
dren without having strength renewed
TO fight the battle of life.
Tea over, Mr.. Young and the boys
went out TO see TO the horse and cow,