Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-07-03
MANAGING 4 MN.

parson gave his blessing, and they went to
commence housekeeping in a cozy little house
everybody prophcsicd all sorts of happiness
for the pretty bride. And, truth to tell, Nell
lie Carter was very happy. 1t is pleasant
thing to go to housekeeping for the first time,
with everything new and shiny; and you
have somebody you love very much for
companion, it is still pleasanter Now Mel
lie did love tha. Dig, blundering Tom Carter
with oil her might and main, and there was
only one thing to disturb her perfect peace
She was the very pink Of tidiness, and Tom
was the most careless fellow alive. lie kept
his person neat and nice-but his personal
belongings anything else. Tom would per-
sist in tossing his slippers under the Parlor
sofa, to have them handy. In vain did she
gently suggest that the rack in the hall was
the place for his hat and overcoat. Tom
would fling his overcoat, damp or dry, on
her pretty smoothly y-mado bed, and drop his
hat anywhere. In vain did tidy Nellie make
a place for everything. for Tom invariably
tossed everything in some other place. Now,
littl. Mrs. Nellie was only human, and Toms
slovenly ways annoyed her exceedingly.
She bore Il with the patience Of an angel,
until one morning, after he had gone to his
office she went into the parlO7, and there
lay Toms heavy shawl, righ. across the ta-
bic, ruthlessly crushing beneath j; the pretty
TITLES which lay upon the marble table
"Now / can't stsni this !" said Nellie, rs
she carefully raises the shawl from the deli
cate treasures and discovered the ruins Of Il
favorite Bohemian vase.
al doa't know what to do, but this won't
have I" she continued with the little bit Of
wifely snap which every good wife must
have If she expects to get Oh ut all with the
occasionally unreasonable ANIMAL man.
"Some way must be discovered to cure
Tomw went on Mrs. Nellie Us she removed
the ruins Of her vase, and all the morning
she went about the house with scarlet lips
closely compressed and little flash in her
brown eyes,
And when a determined woman says
"must," and shall' masculine insubordi-
nation might as well surrender at once.
Before Mrs. Nellie closed her bright eyes
that night she had arranged all her plans
for the campaign against her liege lord, who
slept the sleep Of tho innocent at her side.
But sho intended to give him one more
chance.
So, after breakfast, when Tom drew on his
boots and gave his slippers their usual toss
under the sofa, she said Tom, dear, hadn't
you better put your slippers in the passageg'
"No, let 'cm alone; they'll be handy to-
night" said Tom
"But, Tom, dear. they look so very
untidy."
"Why, no they don't. A thing looks as
we'll in one place as another. What's the
use of man having home II he can't keep
things where he wants to?"
whats the use Of keeping wife and a
servant on their feet all day to pick up things
after you ?" asked Nellie, without the least
show of temper.
Don't pick EN- up at all. Just let 'em
alone, and then can find 'em when | want
EN-" declared Master Tom, ss he gave her
a kiss and took himself OF.
And the moment the door closed on him
Nellie's red lips compressed again and the
brown eyes wore the same look they had
worn yesterday.
"Wsr is it, thcn?" she said to herself.
" Now, Master Tom, we shall see who wins"
She set quietly about the usual mornings
work, and when Tom came to lunch every
thing was in its good order.
Il remained so, aud Nellie busted herself
with the needle work until nearly time 70:
Tom to return to dinner.
Then she arose to prepare herself to open
the campaign.
First she put Toms slippers, where he a.
ways left them, under the sofa.
Then she tossed her shawl upon the plano
and his bes: hat on the table.
Then she brought some Of her dresses and
hung them across the chairs and on the sofa.
Her furs reposed in Toms own especial
armchair, and her best bonnet kept Toms
slippers company under the sofa, while her
cwn slippers lay upon the cbifIonier. And
then, thinking that female ingenuity could
make no greater sacrifice than her Sunday
bonnet she took a piece Of crochet work,
and sat down.
Presently the door opened, and in walked
Master Tom.
He gave low whistle as he glanced at
the unwontel disorder, aud at Nellie sitting
calmly in the midst, with her crochet work.
Haven't been putting things 70 right.
Nellie?" be asked.
"No. Why?" said Nellie, looking up in
sweet unconsciousHess.
81 thought maybe you had been, that's
all remarked Tom, dryly, Is he looked for
a place 10 sit down.
Nellie quietly pursued her work.
Presently Tom said, Paper come this
eyening?"
"Not yet" answered Nellie.
Tom gave sigh.
Nellie, me. Granger just nos, and he
said he would call around this evening"
"Very well; probably he won't come be-