The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-12-13
"Apd the beef roasted. when 4 told

"D1ference, ma am - dilference!"
barked Philo, ''enough difference to
spoil my dinner, that's ALL
And. pushing back his chair, he
strode' away from the table.
Mrs. Mayburne stayed to finish her
meal and then sauntered into the
parlor, where her spouse sat glaring at
the fire. Il
where are my slippers, Mrs. May
burner"
"On the rug, close to your feet, my
dear"
Il don't want the slippers with the
fox's head on, want the slippers with
the rosebuds and leaves. It's very
strange man can't take any comfort
in his own houser'
Josie rang the bell and ordered
"rosebuds and leaves" but the next
rock to split upon was the newspaper.
where's my paper? What's the
reason man can never find a paper
when he wants it?'
"Here it is, Philo. folded neatly
under the books" she responded.
Sand what is it under the books for!
Why isn't il left where / can find itr'
elf You had looked around my
dear"
"But don't want to look aroundl"
And Mr.. Mayburne unfolded the
sheet and began to read, his brows still
ominously contracted, whites osie sat
smiling beside him, her purpose shaping
itself more aud more definitely in her
mind at every moment that the clock
measured off with silvery tick.
The next evening Mr.. Mayburne
came home rampant as usual. The
sitting-room was dark and chilly as he
stumbled in.
mo Light" he demanded, queru-
lousy.
whats the use of light?" pettishly
asked his wife, who was reclining on
the sofa. under an embroidered afghan.
"The lire has gone out half an hour
ago"
1.-The fire outr' Philo stood aghast
But why didn't you have it kindled
up AGAIN."
Everything goes wrong" grumbled
Josie, with peevish elevation of her
shoulders. .'The kindlings were wet
and the chimney smoked, and -"
swell, well, my DEAR" said Philo,
driven to the unwonted task of conso-
lation, II dare say it will be all right"
"All wrong, more likely" fretted
Josie. at Is so trying; and dinner isn't
ready, although it's half past six, and
the fruit hasn't come for dessert, and
I'm so discouraged"
well do without the fruit, then"
''There's no other dessert"
"My dear Josie, it isn't best to let
little things fret your
"Tll discharge the cook tomorrow,
said Josie, acrimoniously.
80, no, dear! l wouldn't do that;
she understands her business remark
ably we'll"
''She burned the oysters yesterday"
"Only scOrched 'em, that was air.
"She is always behindhand with the
meals"
son the contrary, my dear Josie, she
is generally the soul of punctuality.
Where is my dressing-gown?'
II am sure don't know" said Josie,
spiritlessly. THAT chambermaid makes
rule of putting things just where no
body can find them.
20, here it is, back of the door,"
said Philo, ''just where she always
hangs it."
''Then why didn't you look there be-
fore you asked?" demanded the wife.
Mr.. Mayburne found it convenient not
to hear, but poked the fire diligently.
"There you go. scattering ashes all
over the velvet rug" said Josie,
tartly. e -
Mr.. Mayburne checked himself, and
sat down shiyering, in a rocking
chair.
81 wish you would stop creaking that
chair" groaned his wife; s'my poor
nerves are all in a culver. Why don't
they send up dinner?"
''There's the bell now," said Philo,
jumping up with alacrity; "come
Josie. ."
Il don't think care for any dinner,
now that | have been kept waiting so
long," said Mrs. Mayburne.
snow. my dear Josie, don't be I'M
reasonable. dare say they've got
something very nice for u.s."
The beefsteak was cold, the potatoes
water-soaked and the turnips dried like
mummies, while the bread was new
and heavy. Mr.. Mayburne opened his
lips to complain. but Josie was before
hand with him.
my goodness graciousr' she ejacu-
lated, with uplifted hands and eyes.
"Such dinner! Take me away, Philo;
l can't eat a mouthful."
''Just little bit of the steak, dear
it's very juicy"
"Not particle!'' said Josie, en-
phatically. SARAH, tell the cook she
may go tomorrow"
"My dear. my dear, pray consider
There's chicken coming with
bread sauce" suggested Sarah, with
twinkling eyes. ri
Chicken and bread sauce-the very
think l detest of all othersr' exclaimed
Josie.
Il am sure its very NICE, said Philo;
''see how savory it looks. Let me give
you wing and little slice of the
breast!" H. fl
Its burned to crisp!"
''Burned, my dear? Not bit of it."
sits raw, then, under the side,''