Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-11-27
A PLOT THAT SUCCEEDED.

"Well, Vincent, and what does she
say"
Mrs. Morrison asked the question with
conscious pride. She was quite certain
that the impending verdict would be in
her favor. How, indeed, could it be 9TH
erwises
She sat there in the cool shadow of her
jesssmine. covered porch, in dress Of
pale-green muslin. strewn all over with
coquettish little bars of ribbon, book
in her lap. and lily fastened into her
belt. Her housekeeping tablets were on
ths bamboo stand beside her, and recipe
for "snow pudding" was half copied on
its last leaf.
The fact was that Mrs. Morrison had
just taken the helm of her household and
that she took a true womanly delight in
its management. And this soft summer
day had been especially sanc,ifed and set
apart by the fact that her husband $
mother had made her first visit on it.
1t had been little embarrassing, too.
Young Mrs. Morrison had scarcely known
what 10 say. She had onl ly asked the
elderly lady's advice about this. that and
the other thing. She had deferred TO her
opinions, and written down one or two
inisllible recipes in the Ia blets as TO
moth-esten furniture, fermenting pre-
serves, and cheese-clo,h bed-comforters.
The dinner had been very nice. Brid-
get had not committed single solecism
in waiting, and Mrs. Morrison could not
think of single flaw in the days enter
iainment So that now, when Vincent had
returned from driving his mother in a
little basket phaeton to the depot, she
claimed her need of praise with eager
smiles.
What does she say, Vincent"
Mr.. Morrison laughed, and kissed the
fresh, upturned face.
"She says, Polly, that you are nice
little woman" he responded.
Nonsense :" said Mrs. Morrison.
l." You know very well that that is not
what mean at all, Vincent. About the
house. YOU know. And the dinner, and
all that.
"She thinks, my DEAR" said the young
husband, little awkwardly, that you
do very well, considering your inexpeIi-
ence."
"Oh, considering my inexperience y
said Mrs Morrison, with somewhat OF Il
pout "Well, wha, else :"
"But she suggests that you ought not
to keep but one girl" added MIR. Morri-
son, bluntly.
why not :"
"Oh-hum-ha :" hesitated Morrison.
The family is small, you know, and my
mother thinks-that is, it has always
been her experience"
"Well, 20 or" cried Polly impstiently.
THAT every housewife ought to un-
derstand practically the working OF her
own household machinery"
But don't comprehend" said Polly,
arching her brows. Does she mean that
| ought TO black my own stoves, and scrub
my own kitchen floor, and wash my own
dresses ;"
Il suppose So" said Vincent. And
really it's capital idea, when one comes
to think of it. So | told her, Polly
rubbing his hands little guiltily, that
we would send Bridget away and get
along with little Betsey. Betsey is very
quick and handy, you know; and, as
my mother says, there is no reason why
q strong, healthy young woman like you
should sit with folded hands doing moth
ing"
oh" said Polly.
Now do not 20 to getting vexed,
said Mr.. Morrison, with laundering sort
of perception that all was not right.
:" Because, Of course, you must see that
there is a good deal Of sense in this view
Of affair"
"Does your mother think that | do
nothing at all = cried Polly, with rising
lump in her throat.
"Well she thinks, don't you see (: that
every woman ought to have practical
knowledge Of
"Pshaw - cried Mrs. Morrison and
then she jumped up and went into the
house.
Vincent looked after her with low
whistle.
Nov she is angry" said he, to him.
self "And the right of the matter is
so very evident, too. Women are SO
queer
But presently Polly came back, the
smiles returned to her face once more.
Forgive me, dear" she said. 81
lost my temper for just one half-quarter
of second, 1t is all right now. Did
you say that you had given Bridget
waining:"
"Well, yes. That is"
Every well,' said Polly. =" will GO
and get some iced milk and pound-cake for
YOU. You must be dresdfully tired and
thirsty after your long drive. And" she
added, demurely. " | dare say that there
is deal Of good sense in your mother
advice"
You'll take it, then," said Mr.. Nor
rison, much relieved.
"If you say SO, dear said the obedi-
ent wife.
But when Mr.. Morrison was smoking
| in the porch after tea, Polly sat down
and wrote an affectionate, confidential
little note to her husbands uncle, Com
modore Chesson, who had taken faith
er's place to him since he was ten years
old. She wrote:
| -, ~ ,o,,,o % mo at opca