The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-12-11
a FAIRY GODMOTHER.
How Margie's StepmOther Won Her
Daughter.

Daughter.
| said Margie, violently.
'But why my daughter?" asked her
father, earnestly.
Because | can't endure to see Inv moth
er forgotten, and another person in her
place! Because have step-mother.'
''Your mother can never be forgotten,
my DEAR" said Mr.. Barnard, gently, NOR
her place filed: but kind, sweet-tempered
woman can make us much happier, I am
sure"
''No doubt she'll be very nice to you, :
cried Margie with floating eyes, but
know she II be horrid to the children and
me"
Margaret ~ said her father, sternly,
II don't wish to hearany 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 cordial reception. You may
go now"
Margie fiounced 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.
Il hate her y she cried aloud. II know
how she'll get around papa, and make him
think she's a saint, while she's as mean as
dirt to us.
Much more she said, which is better not
| repeated and she ended with hard fit of
crying, which left her with 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, and 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 state
of obstinate rebellion, and was ready for
almost any line of conduct, however alb
surd
When the time for the marriage arrived,
and her father went away to be gone
| week, Margie turned small army Of work
people into the house, and had it cleaned
and put in order from garnet to cellar, that
the new conner might have no cause to fiat
ter herself that they needed a better house
keeper than they had.
On the day the marriage took place, and
Mr.. Barnard telegraphed her that he should
be home early i'll 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
dinner 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, sulen defiance in every line of her
face.
This open rebellion for moment took
Mr. Barnard by surprise, and mechanically
he introduced his wife, whom Margie
coldly addressed as Mrs. Barnard, " bow
ing slightly but not offering her hand.
All through the meal she was studiously
polite, but so exceedingly dignfied that it
would have been laughable, had it not
been so foolish and sad to see. After dim
ner she retired to her own room, and was
seen no more that night
Mr.. Barnard was troubled Exactly how
to deal with Margie he found it hard to de-
eide, but something he was resolved to do.
Julia. he said to his wife, during the
evening, after the children had gone to bed,
and they were sitting alone by the fire, Il
will not allow such dsrespect to You and
to me-
Now please, James, was the gentle
response, don't let my coming bring her
any serious trial, or she will never forgive
it. Leave her to me: let me manage her.:
| think can win her.
Unfortunately the door was aiar, and
Margie, stealing quietly down to give d
rections about breakfast, overheard these
few remarks 1t fired her afresh, and
changed her rebellion against stepmothers
in general to special enmity to this partic-
ular one
"Humph"' she muttered, Manage me!
That's what My Lady proposes to do! Well,
we'll Sect
The next morning when Margie entered
the breakfast-room the new mistress was
already in her proper place at the head of
the table, while her father sat opposite her,
with face so stern that Margie, remember
ing the threat of school, dared not do any
thing but submit.
She took seat at the side, ate what
little she could swallow, refusing coffee
from the hands of her step-mother, though
coffee was the only thing she cared for at
breakfast, and behaving as like foolish
child as she knew how
Margie noticed with pang that in spite
of her care to infect the children with her
feelings. both had been already won. Both
called her ''mamma' and were evidently
on the most affectionate terms with her.
''Wel," she thought, 81 shall have to
fight it ont alone, suppose. But there's
one thing I'll show her; she may win all
the rest of the family down to the cook,
but she shall neUer win met
s'Moreover, she went on to herself,
''since she's such an adept in forcing her
self into power, | will not wait to have the