The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-11-10
Seleff Story.
Take Care Of the Minutes.

at is q mystery to me where the day Q
90 to-" exclaimed Mrs. Vinton as with q
sigh che folded up an unfinished garment,
which the approaching dusk OF the even
ing warned her to lay aside. "If any
one had told me-" continued the good
lady, "thst this jacket would not be fin
ished to-day, / should lot have believed
them. ! promised William Henry that
be should have 1t to wear to the little
party this evening, but II cannot be help.
ed. Oh, dear it seems as II never get
anything done. and yet never hau q
leisure hour"
Here her reflections we're interrupted
by the bnisterous entrance OF the above
named William Henry, stout lad OF 13
years, who, skipping up the stairs three
sters at 9 time, burst into his mother =
room exclsiming: "Hurrah, mother
where's my jacketp I'm late home from
school. but our sums we're so difficult
aud Mr. Marston vas so cross that It
seemed as IL We never should get awav
Our whole class had to stay an hour af-
ter the usual time"
81 suppose you we're all thinking sn
much Of Frank Morton's party that you
could not ix yonr attention upon your
lessons" replied the mother. 81 am very
sorry that your jacket is not finished, my
son. have worked upon II until It was
too dark for me to see any longer, but
there is still much to be done. The days
are so short, and there are so msny
things to attend to, that 1t is dark before
think OF t."
"You begsn II q week sgo," murmur-
ed the disappointed boy. IL mean to
stay at home rather thsn wear the old
green one. told Bill Smith and Sam
Jones that I wss to have new jacket
and I'm not going without it"
"As you please" was the answer; for
displessed With the want OF respect In bis
manner, Mrs. vinton was 10 no mood to
soothe his troubled feelings Qnietly
putting away her work she descended 10
the kitchen 10 ascertain II tea was in 9
state OF preparation. Sally, the maid.
o'.sll-work, looked flushed and excited
As her mistress entered, she exclaimed
its Of no use irving 10 make this oven
hake. The tea biscuit will be Just good
for nothing"
"Wl y so. Sally ? The stove has never
troubled ss before
"But sure the damper is broken and
onc Of the plates is cracked clean across
I have spoken to the master about 1t I'LL
l am tired he says he will Ok 1t when be
can ind time."
"Well, Sally, you know Mr.. vinton is
very busy; be seldom has any leisure"
Sally muttered something about its be
ing "easy 10 find Eve minutes II any body
liked" which remark her mistress passed
over in silence. and then recommended
her vigorous efforts 10 poke little be ai
out Of the Gre
The tea biscuit still presented rather a
doubtful appearance when Mr.. vinton's
well-known step was heard in the ball
and both mistress and maid knew that
there must be no delay, for punctuality
at meals was with him cardinal virtue
In q few minutes, therefore. the family
we're seated at table. The children. -four
in number, we're bright, pleasant. .lookine
little folks, but on the whole they had
rather neglected appearance; for, as
Mrs Vinton observed. ''there we're so
many ways to tnrn that she never could
tell where the day went tonight always
came before she had accomplished her
allotted tasks"
] The father was sensible easy temper
ed man and seldom, as bis wife often
said, made any trouble In the house. He
saw that some things went wrong, bu,
confessed that he did not wonder at il
There were so many things to be attend
ed to in family and the days, especially
in winter. we're really very short. II hi.
meals, therefore, we're ready in season
he made no comments On the domestic
arrangements. This vas certainly ,h
1.-The wisest course; for, as some it'll