The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-12-03
INTERESTING STORY.
WHITEWASH And SOAPSUDS.

WHlIEWASH AND S0APSUDS.
think FL run over and see Katie this
morning, mother" said Clyde Reynolds, as
! he threw aside his paper and leaned in from
the yeranda at the open window of the
room where his mother sat sewing
Il am sorry it is so lonesome for you
here, my son, sighed his mother, as she
looked up from her work. al thought
Jennie Leland would come in, as she always
does when am alone, and make it pleasant
for you, but she hasn't been near the
| house."
g I met her at the picnic yesterday said
The young man, with an odd laugh.
4 He did not add the fact that he had al
1 most fallen in love with her at sight, but
| had been most numerically snubbed.
"Did you like her?" questioned Mrs
Reynolds eagerly.
| admired her very much, but found
her 50 unapproachable that 1 gave up the
idea of trying to become better acquainted
asked her to dance twice, when 1 knew
she was not engaged, and she refused, }" said
Clyde, gravely.
" She did ?" calculated his mother, indi6.
nantly. Why, Jennie is the sweetest
most aniable girl know. Unapproachable,
indeed I think you must have made o mis-.
take, Clyde
I" No. I'm quite certain 1t was Miss
LELAND. Her brother gave me the introduc-
ton. However, it makes no sort of differ.
ence to me-"
And away he went through the brown
fields to his sisters home, switching the
tops from the grass with his dainty cane,
and thinking with knitted brows what pos.
sible change could make the difference be.
tween Jennie LELAND, as his mother had de.
'cribed her, and the proud girl at the
| picnic, while his mother stitched away in
despair at this downfall of her hopes
She had so longed for union between
her only son and her young favorite, Jennie
Leland, TINT she had come to regard the
whole matter as settled.
"rll be hanged if Kate isn't cleaning
house " muttered Clyde, as he came in
sight of his sisters home.
Now, with all of his goodness, he had the
fault of overneatness-somew would perhaps
call him dandifed, as did Miss Jennie
Leland-and housekeeping was his especial
aversion,
The white cottage, against its background
of forest, tinted now with the first brilliant
hues of autumn the wide-spreading fields !;
the silvery stream and the blue, distant
hills-made picture of contentment and
rustic beauty, bathed in warm, rich sun
light.
But the air of comfort vanished on closer
inspection. The window-frames were desti-
tute of sashes, the doors were wide open,
the pretty front-yard fence was covered
with carpets, and dust, and dirt, and soap
suds were everywhere in profusion.
Why, Clyde and was in such a
hurry TO get through before you came over /!
Oh, dear, Pm cleaning house, I'm in a
peck Of trouble-yes, and more, too. l
think 1 might call it bushel and not
stretch the truth"
And the face of the rosy mat,on wore q
look of comical perplexity, as she greeted
her brother MS affectionately as the clinging
soapsuds would allow.
Never mind, Kate Can't help you
What's the trouble ?" asked Clyde, heroic
ally.
" Trouble enough! The parlor-carpet ia
up and the ceiling alf-whitewashed, the
hall is half-cleaned, and the sewing-circle
has sent me word that they will be here to-
morrow afternoon. Frank has been called
away on business, and the men engaged to
beat the carpets and put them down have
not put in an appearance. I could manage
alone all but the ceiling and carpets"
Let me manage them. / can whitewash
the ceiling. have done as much before !;
and if Frank don't come to help, can take
care of the carpets"
And Clyde took off his immaculate whit.
cuffs and prepared for action.
a If you only could !" sighed Kate.
81 can and will !" answered her brother,
as he struck mock heroic attitude. ~
suppose the stable-boy hasn't any old
clothes to spare, has he p he added, with
rueful glance at his spotless broadcloth.
"No," replied Kate, thoughtfully; 81
don't know of q single thing except an old
calico dress that my Swede girl threw away
She was very large for woman and Ithinh
you might wear it."
Bring it along then. Anything will do
10 keep the whitewash of Thank goodness,
no one will be likely to see me There
does that fit? Shure, an I'm Biddy O'Flin.
nigin, mum, at your service" and he bowed
low before her, while his dark eyes danced
with mischief.
Although he prided himself greatly upon
his personal appearance, and insisted that
his attire should be spotless, his gloves a
perfect fit, and his shining boots unspecked
by dust, he was by no means afraid of work
and this masquerade, for the benefit of his
pet sister, suited him exactly
Now for handkerchief, or something
Of the Sort to cover my raven locks have
no idea of getting my hair full of white
wash. There-how do look? Ugh! My
own mother wouldn't know me ~
NAhN hS eoihSN oU11 Aichi LILO bhctSbduC
figure reflected in the mirror, in deep dis
gust, while Kate enjoyed ii hugely.
81 wish Jennie Leland was here to see
you, Clyde. She's always preaching about
dandifed men. don't think she could call
you q dandy now"
T" Did she ever p demanded Clyde.
"Well, not exactly-to me-but happen
TO know that she thinks you're afraid OF
your white hands. She mistrusts mothers
plans"
81 And that's the reason she wouldn't
dance with me at the picnic, and why she
never comes to our house when I am there,
Ell %
suppose so,"' admitted Kate.
I'm sorry for her." said Clyde, drily.
She doesn't know that she is losing de-
lightful company, and also TIE chance of