Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-04-16
Miscellaneous.
Whitewash and SOapsuds.

81 think I'll run over aud see Katie this
morning. sad Ciyd. REYNOLDS. as he threw
aside his paper and leaned in from the
vefanda at the open window of the room
where his mother sat sewing.
81 am sorry It Is SO lonesome for YOU
here. my son" sighed his mother, a. she
looked up from her work. Il thought Jen-
ME Leland would come in as she alwa,s
does when ] am alone. aud make i, piea.aa,
for YOU. but She hasn't been near the house"
Il met her a, the picnic Yesterday" said
the Young man with an odd Isush. lie did
not add the fact that lie had almost fallen IN
love with her at sight bu, he had been mos,
unmerciiul, snubhed.
ibid YOU like herr" questioned Mrs
Re, nolds eagerly
IL admired her very much. but found her
So unapproachable tina; gave Up the idea
OF trying TO become better acquainted. |
asked her to dance twice, when knew she
was not engaged, and she refused" said
Clyde. graveiy.
"She did - circulated his mother indig-
nanily. why, Jennie Is the sweetest. most
amiable eirl ! know. Unapproachable. IN
deed think YOU must have made mis-
take. CI,de."
No. I'm quite sure it was Miss Leland.
Her brother gave me the introduction.
HoSever. II makes 10 sort of difference to
me-"
And away he went through the brown
fields TO his sisters home, switching the
tops from the grass with bis dainty cane,
and thinking with kEil;ed brovs what pos
sible change could make the difereuue be-
tween Jennie Leland a. hls mother had de
scribed her, and the proud girl al the picnic,
while tie mother stitched awas IN despair al
the downfall Of her hopes.
She had so onsed far union between
her only son ana her Young :aynr.te. Jennie
Leland, that she had come 10 regerl he
whole matter settled.
III be hanged If Kate isn't cleaning
house " muttered Clyde, as lie came in sight
Of his sisters house.
Nov. with sii his gooIuess, he had the
fault OF oVerneatness-some would perhaps
call him dandited, as did Miss Jennie Le-
land--and house-cseautng was his special
aversion.
The white cottage, against Us back ground
Of forest, tinted nov with the fist brilliant
hues Of autumn; the spreading f-id.;
the siisery stream aud the blue distant kills
made picture Of cOnientment and rustic
beauty. bathed in rich warm sunlight.
Eut the air Of comfort vanished on closer
inspection. The wiadow frames we're dpsii-
tute of sashes, and the doors sere wide
open, the pretty front yard fence was COZ
cred with carpets. and dust. dirt and soap
suds were everywhere IN profuslon.
"Wh, Clyde. and | was in such hurry
to get through before yoI came over Oh,
dear. I'm in peek of troube-yes. aud
more too, think | might call j, a bashe!
and not stretch the truth"
And the face Of the rosy mltrou wore Il
look of comieal perpleAi,y. as she greeted
her brother as atfeclonairiy a, the elinsins
soapsuds would allow.
Never mind, Kate. Can't help YOU B.?
What's the trouble 7" asked Ci,de hero!cal-
Iy.
Trouble enough The par.or carpet is up.
the ceiling half whiewashed, the hail is half
Cleaned, and the sewing circle sent me word
that they ai.i he here tomorrow afternoon.
Frank has been called away on business, and
the men engaged TO heat the carpets and put
them down have not put in an appearance.
could manage alone all but the ceiling and
carpets"
Let me manage them. | can whitewash
the ceiling. | have done as mueh before:
and II Frank don't come 10 help | can take
care OF the carpets
And Clyde took off his immaculate white
cuffs. and prepared for action.
''lf you onl, could :" sighed Kate
Il can and will ~ answered her brother as
he struck mock heroic attitude. Il suppose
the stabIe-boy hasn't any old clothes 10
spare. has he ?" he added. with a rueful
glance at bis spotles. broadcloth.
NO, replied Kate, thoughtfully, Il don't
know OF single thing-except an old calico
dress that my Swede girl threw away. She
was very large for woman and think YOU
might wear it,
Bring it along then. Anything will do
to keep the whitewash cff Thank goodness
no one will be likely 10 see me There, does
that fiji ? Shure an I'm Biddy O'Fnnigin,
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 spotess, 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
Now for handkerchief or something of
the sort to cover my raven locks have no
idea Of getting my hair full of whitewash
mother wouldn't know me-"
And ne turned away from the grotesque
figure reflected in the mirror, in deep dis
gust, while Kate enjoyed i, hugely.
Il wish Jennie Leland was here to see
you, Clyde. She's always preaching about
dandified men. | don't think she could call
YOU dandy now"
''Did she ever ?" demanded Clyde.
"Well, not exsctly-to me-but happen
10 know that she thinks you're afraid of
your white hands. She mistrusts mothers
plans"
"And that's the reason she wouldn't dance
with me at the picnic, and why she never
comes to our house while am there, eh ?"
Il suppose so," admitted Kate.
I'm sorry for her." said Clyde, dryly.
"She doesn't know that she is losing de-
lightfui company, and also the chance of
winning such useful husband. But come.
Kate, where's the whitewash and brush
Iii haze that ceiling done in double quick
time, and be ready for the carpets!"
"Be careful how you step that dress may
trip YOU up. There's the ladder, just where
Frank left of. Do be careful! Don't fall.
and don't splash the whitewash over every
thing. Frank is real neat about it, and I've
got the woodwork all cleaned, and the floor
ready to tack the carpet down."
"All right, Kate, I'll do famously. Never
mind me, but keep on with your work in
the stting-room. Why under the sun you
women delight 10 turn the house upside
down. and do everything in one day, never
| could see. But as you will do it, the only