The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-11-12
A FAIRY GODMOTHER.
How Margie's Step-Mother Won
Her Daughter.

81 shall never be ACKNOWLEDGMENT !"
said Margie, violently.
ssBut why, my daughter?" asked her
father, earnestly.
because I can't endure to see my
mother forgotten, and another person in
her placed Because 1 hate a step-mother!"
"Your mother can never be forgotten,
my DEAR" said Mr.. Barnard, gently, NOR
her place filed; but a kind, sweet-tempered
woman can make US all much happier, 1
am sure.n
"No doubt she'll be very nice to your
cried Mareie with flashing eyes, ''but 1
know she'll be horrid to the children and
me-"
'Margaret!" said her father, sternly, 81
don't wish to hear any more remarks of
that kind. depend upon your good sense
to feel better about this, upon cooler second
thought, and to be prepared to give her a
cordial reception. You may go now"
Margie iounced out of the room without
another word. But when she had reached
her own room and locked the door behind
her, she gave full vent to her violence.
81 hate herl" she cried aloud. ST know
how she'll get round papa, and make him
think she's a saint, while she's as mean as
dirt to u.s."
Much more she said, which is better not
repeated, and she ended with a hard fit of
crying, which left her with a severe head
ache.
The next day she went to her dearest
friend, Molly Brooks, told her the terrible
news, and received her sympathy. Later,
the matter was talked over among the
girls, n she found herself regarded as
one on whom a heavy misfortune was
about to fall. And before the end of the
week she had worked herself into a state
OF obstinate rebellion, and was ready for
almost any line of conduct, however alb
sur,l.
When the time for the marriage arrived,
and her father went away to be gone a
week, Margie turned a small army of work
people into the house, and had it cleaned
and put in order from garrett to cellar, that
the newcomer might have no cause to fiat
ter herself that they needed a better house.
keeper Than they a
On the day the marriage took place, and
MIR. Barnard telegraphed her that he should
be home early in the afternoon, Margie-
who had carefully made her ~plans-gave
her orders about dinner, and went out. She
did not return till six O'Clock, just as Inner
was served; and then, instead of going to
greet the stranger, she removed her hat
and took her usual place at the head of the
table. There she was found by her father
when he led his wife into the room, sullen
defiance in every line of her face.
This open rebellion for a moment took
Mr.. Barnard by surprise, and mechanically
hf OttuCtu HIS WIG, WHO'LL IutTRlS Guilty.
addressed as "Mrs. Barnard," bowling
slightly, but not Offering her hand.
ALI through the meal she was studiously
polite, but so exceedingly digniied that il
would ave been ~laughable, nae it not beer
so foolish and sad to see. After dinner she
retired to her own room, and was seen nc
more that night.
Mr.. Barnard was troubled. Exactly how
to heal with Margie he found it hard to de.
eide, but something he was resolved to do
"Julia," he said to his wife, during thu
evening, after the children had gone tt
bed, and they were sitting alone by thu
fire, 81 will not allow such disrespect tt
you and to mel
NOW please, James," was the gentl'
response, "don't let my coming bring he
any serious trial, or she will never forgive
it. Leave her to me-; let me manage her
! think I can win her,"
Unfortunately the door was ajar, ant
Margie, stealing quietly down to give di
r~ections about breakfast, overheard thes
few remarks. 1t fired her afresh, ant
changed her rebellion against step
mnihers in general to special enmity t.
this particular one.
"Humph J" she muttered, manage me
That's what Ny Lady proposes to do
The next morning when Mareie entere
the breakfast-room the new mistress wa
already in her proper place at the head o
the table, while her father sat opposit
her, with face so stern that MarPie, re
membering the threat of school, dared nc
do anything but submit.
She took a seat at the side, ate what littl
sb. could swallow, refusing coffee from tn
hands of her step-mother, though coffe
was the only thing she cared for at break
fast. and behaving as like a foolish chill
as sac knew how.
Nnrgie noticed with a pang that in spit
of her care to infect the children with he
feelings, both had been already won. Bot
called her "mamma," and were evidentl
on the most affectionate terms with her.
"Well," she thought, 81 shall have I
Eight it out alone, l suppose. But there
one thing In show her; she may win a
the rest of the family down to the cool
but she shall nevsr win mel"
Moreover" she went on to hersel
"since she's such an adept in forcing hel
self into power, 1 will not wait to have th
keys demanded" So when she rose fro,
the table she drew from her pocket he
bunch of housekeeping keys, laid thel
down on the table and stalked proudly oil
of the room.
Mr.. Barnard started no angrily, but h
wife laid a hand upon his arm.
"Please leave her to me, james! l III
jerstand her feelings exactly"
1t di not add to Margie's pleasure to 81
that home affairs moved more smooth