The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-05-04


first request for money; doubtless this
is only the commencement of the insults
which shall be called upon to endure +"
The doctor was little chagrined,
and replied, every likely, madam; for
when l married you expected you to
find yourself in pin money"
"You did, eh ?' she retorted. $50 you
married me for my money, did you?
and you have the impudence to tell me
of it to my face, too, actually before
the honeymoon is over. 1t is shameful,
sir; it is outrageous "
The doctor strove to apologize, but
the virago had the advantage of him,
and she continued to pour out the tor
rent of invective long after he had
placed the door between them and was
hurrying down the street.
AS this scene had commenced at the
breakfast table its effects upon the
children, who were present, can be bet
ter imagined than described. That day
the doctor took the pains to ascertain
the amount of Mrs Winthrop's ''for-
tune 1t turned out to consist in the
interest of twenty-five thousand dollars,
which ceased at her death. Subsequent
discoveries proved to him that, as the
result of the lady's extravaganza, her
account at the bankers was usually
overdrawn.
The delghtsomeness of the doctors
evenings at home may be imagined.
Generally his recourse after tea was the
newspaper or book; or if the house
hold atmosphere was too stormy he be-
took himself to small supper room,
which was usually denominated his
study. Sitting there one evening, while
his wife was entertaining two or three
fascinating young friends in the parlor,
he heard timid knock at the door, and
his little golden haired Amy entered;
his first born, his pet, the namesake of
his early love. She led her younger
brother by the hand, and both were
crying.
The doctors heart was touched. BY
some strange forgetfuness he seemed
never, till this moment, to have taken
into consideration the claims of his
children in the choice of a stepmother
for them. Now. as if in a magic glass,
the enormity of his conduct in this re-
spect was held up before him. Stretch
ing out his hands he said tenderly:
"Come here, Amy darling, and tell
me what grieves you
She glded gently into his embrace,
and Harry climbed noiselessly to his
fathers knee.
"Please, papa said Amy, timidly,
sis the new mother to be always our
mother; Or will she 60 away, byeand-
bye, as our own mamma did,"
The doctors eyes filled with tears,
and he inquired, with choking voice:
"Why do you ask me such a question,
my dear ?"
because, if she is only to stay here
a little while, will try to be patient
and good TIL she is gone, replied Amy;
shut oh! papa, hope she will not be
here always
spirit of the gentle, departed Amy
were thou lowering near, to watch the
upwelling of that long slumbering foun-
tain of parental tenderness? Closer,
closer to his heart he held the dear off
spring of his youthful love, and asked:
"What is it, Amy darling? Tell pa,
pa what the new mother has done"
"Oh! it is many things, papa" re
piled Amy. "First of all, she don't love
me and Harry. | am sure she don't, for
she scolds us so, and says such cruel
things; calls us 'beggar's brats! Does
that mean our own mammal
$50 on, my DEAR" said the doctor.
"What else?"
"Then she makes us eat in the nurs
cry, you know" continued Amy
! The doctors heart reproached him
for ever having consented to this ar
rangement
"Aud she only gives us dry bread
and little bits of ple and cake that are
left, because she says now that she has
been cheated into marrying a beggar,
she must be economical"
| the doctor thought of new set OF
expensive jewelry brought home that
morning, and sighed.
"But that is not all papa. She strikes
US; look there" and the little one strip
ped up her baby brothers sleeve and
showed the marks upon his arm. And
these were Amy's children.
ooh. fool that ! wasr groancd the
repentant father.
| For a half hour he held the children
on his knee and comforted them. Ii
made them very happy, for childish sor
rows are easily asSuaged, and then tax
ing hand of each he led them into the
nursery and saw them laid into Their
quiet bed; nor did he leave them till
locked in sweet, childish embrace, they
both slept quietly.
The next morning there was a scene
1t was commenced b., some mild re
quest of the doctors with regard to the
nursey arrangements; for the doctor
had by this time learned the fallacy OF
his old notions respecting the ease Will
which a spirited female may be manag
ed, and he now actually dreaded an en-
counter with Mrs. DR., Winthrop.
"Dld he, expect her TO trouble herself
about another woman's brats?" sale
she. "No; he hired a nursery maid fol
that-it was none of her business, to b(
sure, whether he ever paid her or not
As for the children coming to the tabl,
with her. it was ridiculous whim, anC
as long rs she was mistress of tha
house it should never be tolerated. o.
course when they were grown up i
: would be different; but no slobberins
pinafore babies should ever be seen a
her table .....
"Madame!' cried the doctor, enrage(
at her impudence, II fanced married
a laiy when ! married you, but | see
was mistaken
"Ha!' she exclaimed, with laugl
of bitter scorn, "you thought you caugh
an heiless, but yous may find insteat
that you--'Caught a Tartarv"
II believe you, madam" SAID tn,
doctor; and rising from the table, h
went forth to pay his professional Wis
its, although at first he felt more inclin
ed to hurl something at her,