Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-01-13
A FAIRY GODMOTHER.
How Margie's Step-Mother Won
Her Daughter.

IL shall never be reconciled-neverW
said Margie, violently.
"But why, my daughterW asked her
father, earnestly.
because I can't endure to see my
mother forgotten, and another person in
her PLACED Because hate step mother ]"
"Your mother can never be forgotten,
my dear" said Mr.. Barnard, gently, "nor
her place filled; but kind, et-tempered
woman can make us all much happier,
am sure"
"No doubt she'll be very nice to you,"
cried Margie with flashing eyes, "but
know she'll be horrid to the children and
mo-"
"Margaretp 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
cordial reception. You may go now"
Margie fiouuced out of the room without
another word. But when sho had reached
her own room and locked the door behind
her, she gave full vent to her violence.
81 hate heri" she cried aloud. 81 know
how she'll get round papa, and mako him
think she's saint, while she's as mean as
dirt to u.s."
Much more she said, which Is better not
repeated, and she ended with hard At 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 n heavy misfortune was
about to fall. And before the end of the
week she had worked herself into a state
NJ nlNott In fa rahalliny, 10
almost any line of conduct, however abb
surd.
When the time for the marriage arrived,
and her father went away to be gone q
week, Margie turned small army Of work
people into the house, and had It cleaned
the new conner might have no cause to fiat
ter herself that they needed better house,
keeper than they had.
On the day the marriage took place, and
Mr.. Barnard telegraphed her that he should
be home early In the afternoon, Margie-
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, sullen
defiance In every limo of her face.
This open rebellion for q moment took
Mr.. Barnard by surprise, and mech anicallv
he introduced his wife, whom Margie coldly
addressed as "Mrs. Barnard" bowling
slightly, but not Offering her hand.
All through the meal she was studiously
polite, but so exceedingly dignifed that 1t
would have been Imaginable, had IL not been
30 foolish and sad to sec. After dinner she
retired to her own room, and was seen no
moro that night.
Mr.. Barnard was troubled. Exactly how
60 deal with Margie he found 1t 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, III will not allow such disrespect to
you and to meW
snow please, James," was the. gentle
response, "don't let my coming bring her
any serious trial, or she will never forgive
IL. Leave her to me; let me manage her;
think can win herr
Unfortunately the door was ajar, and
Margie, stealing quietly down to give d.
rections about breakfast, overheard these
few remarks. 1t fired her afresh, and
changed her rebellion against step
mothers In general to special enmity to
"HumphI I" she muttered, manage me |
That's what MY Lady proposes to dol
Well, we'll see"
The next morning when Margie entered
che 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, re-
Numbering the threat of school, dared not
do anything but submit. 4.
She took a seat at the side, ate what little
she could swallow, refusing coffee from the
hands Of her step another, though coffee
was the only thing she cared for at break
fast, and behaving as like a foolish child
a. 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.
"Well," she thought, 81 shall have to
tight IL out alone, l 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 me-"
Moreover" she went on to herself,
''since she's such an adept In forcing her.
self into power, will not wait to have the
keys demanded" SO whom she rose from
the table she drew from her pocket her
bunch Of housekeeping keys, laid them
down on the table and stalked proudly out
of the room.
Mr.. Barnard started up angrily, but his
wife laid hand upon his arm.
"Please leave her ia me, Jamesi Iun-
dcrstanf her feelings exactly"
10 did not add to Margie's pleasure TO see
that home affairs moved more smoothly