Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-08-16
A BITTER CUP,

Mr.. Martin had just come in to tea.
1t was one of those sultry summer
evenings when the leaves hang stirless-
ly on the trees, and the duh electric
fires blaze along the east, foreboders of
storm.
1t had been very hot all day, the
farm.hands had Jagged at their work
on the lowland meadow, and all the
worlds wheels seemed to reyolve as if
they were weighted. Mr.. Martin was
very tired, and withal, little cross.
Perhaps Mrs. Martin was tired. too.
She, poor soul, had been up since four
o'clock in the morning. She had wash.
ed, taken care Of four cows milk, pre-
pared three meals for the hungry
farm hands, been up in the quarry
woods to search for family Of ad.
yenturous young turkcy-chicks. sooth-
ed the sorrows of a teething baby, and
mended up the suit of clothes which
Betsey Blim, the tailoress, had declar-
cd mot worth a necdleful o thread"
because Thomas, her husband, had
said that "wllful waste was woful
want" and that there was a deal of
wear in the suit yet, if only there was
a stitch taken here and there
But her cheek was pink and her eyes
sparkling when Thomas came in, for
all the heayiness in her heart and the
dull pain in her back, for little Esther
had come home from boarding.school
Esther, the youngest sister Of all, the
darling of the family circle from which
Mrs. Martin came-the pet for whom
they all had scraped and pinchcd so
that she, at least, might have Boston
education"
And Esther sat in the window-seat.
grown into blooming young woman,
with bronze-brown hair lying in fluffy
masses over her fair forehead. porcelain
blue eyes, and n dress all trimmed with
ribbon bows,
"Look, Thomas" cried Mrs. Martin,
excitedly: its Essie! Essic come
home two days before we expected her"
"Yes. see" said Mr.. Martin. in the
cold, measured tones which always
dampened his wifes enthusiasm like
so many drops of freezing water.
"How do you do. Esther? Ruth, what
are you putting cold chicken on the
table for? Corned-bcef is plenty. am
sure. You had a great deal better
save the chicken for the mems break
fast. Working folks have hearty
appetites."
Esther is fond Of cold chicken"
Whispered Mrs. Martin. And"
"No one need want anything better
than good corned-beef," iudiciousIy
pronounced Mr.. Martin. "Put the
chicken back into the pantry. and the
apple jelly with it. Good stewed goose
berries are relish enough for anybody.
We must economize in little things as
well as large ones, If we don't want to
end our days in the poorhouse."
And Mrs. Martin sorrowfully obey
ed, while Esther watched her brother
in-law with large, grave eyes. betoken-
ing inward surprise.
At the end of a week, Mr. Martin
addressed his sister-n-law with serious
purpose.
"Well, Esther" said he, you've
been here a week now"
"Yes," said Essie, 1--WE been here a
week"
az week is good long visit" re-
marked Mr. Martin.
"It's long enough for some things,
said Essie.
"Mrs. Martin thinks she would like
to have you stay" went on Mr. Martin,
after apuzzled glance at the blue, shin
ing eyes. "And although, of course,
every one adds to the expense in a
family like this, I've no objections to
giving you home, provided you are
willing to earn 1t by hard work.
And"
"stopp cried Essie. jumping up,
81 haven't asked you for home yet.
And don't mean TO. And you are
only making me the offer because
Doctor Dorian says Ruth will breal,
down unless she has strong maid
servant to help her with the house.
work. But there is no money tha;