Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
"BLESS THE CHILDREN.
A DOMESTIC TALE.

A DOMESTIC TALE.
1t was one of the sweetest days Of all the
sweet summer-tide, and the three little
Berlkeloys, playing beside the brook. had
almost forgotten that there was such
thing as school and lessons, when the
kitchen window was flung noisily up, and
shrill voice broke in upon their dreams of
happiness.
"Children! come in out of that meadow!
Don't you see how you're tramping all the
grass down." screamed Mrs. Hall.
She was spare, hard-favored woman,
who was engaged in picking huge pan of
beans ut the table, while her husband sat
opposite mending the dislocated leg of
milking stool with pot of glue and some
hempen Irvine.
"Now. mother" said Ebenezer Hall,
why can't you let these young 'uns enjoy
themselves? Their little feet won't hurt
the grass.
"Thats just like you, Mr.. Hail." said his
wife, querulously. "The children are
,upholding EN-. Didn't I tell Fanny to
mend her apron the minute school was
over? And there she is, pudding. in the
brook, running her dress sleeves. And
Johns dog scratched up all my flowers in
the back garden this morning. But set
tied the question:" she added. setting her
thin lips together like asteel trap. II gave
the varmint to the tinker. He'll never
bother me any more"
"You oughtnt to have done that mother, :"
said EbeneZer. "Johnnie was fond of the
dog"
"John must make up his mind to do with
out him." said Mrs. Hall. II won't be
tormented by anybody's mischieyous dog.
And found Robinson Crusoe' hidden
under little Joe's pillow this morning."
"Thats natural enough. mother" said
Ebenezer. apologetically. Cali boys like
storybooks."
"NoW know the reason he never could
say his catcchiz," sharply added Mrs. Hall.
aThe trouble those children make us can't
never be told. And I've M de up my mind
to bind EN- out to trades as soon as ever ]
can"
They're my darter's children, mother,
said poor Ebenezer. 81 can't bear the idea
of partin' with en-"
"Then why don't you bring 'em up tc
earn their own living, like other paupers?'
said Mrs. Hall, who had been the farmers
second wife, and whose grabbed nature had
never been thawed out in the light of Q
babys smiles. "That's what I want tc
know. This house amt goin' to be ar
orphan asylum. Not if know it,"
"If you feel SO about it, mother, I'll take
'em over to Cornelia Crashaw's," said Mr.
Hall, whose face had grown very grave
"Cornelia's husband owes me money, and
she's fond of children. She'll be good te
'em, if my own wife won't"
"Good radiance to bad rubbish" was
Mrs. Halls tart retort, as she fung the las
handful of beans into the pan. "But il
you really mean it"
II do, most assuredly," said Ebenezel
Hall, sternly. "Nelly's children shall no
be subjected to unjust rebukes or tyrannica
ill-temper while can help it."
"Tve done the best I could" said Mrs
Hall, with toss of her head. "But
don't like children, and never did!"
The three little Berkeleys did not know
Whist was the cause of the unwonted gloon
on grandpas face at tea-time. They sal
quite silent. Grandma had always tried t.
Impress it on their minds that children
must be seen ana not heard, and take thei
tea, with longing glances at the plum cake
which was always cut in such economical
slices, and of which grandma never would
allow them more than one slice.
Mother" said the old farmer, when til,
meal was over, "pack up the childrenl
boxes tonight. I shall start early in the
morning."
"Where are you going. grandma" john,
ventured to ask.
"To Cornelia C.ashaw's, said Mrs. Hall
do you suppose she will let me keel
my dogs" said Johnny, wistfully, for Tige
came back there afterward. "Tiger won
stay away from me-"
ooh, good! good!" cried Fanny, clapping
her small brown hands. "lIrs. Crashav
always lets us play where we please. Ant
she gave me a handful of roses the las
time We went there"
II am glad, too" said little Joseph, will
kindling eyes. "Mrs. Crashaw has got al
the Vicar of Wakefield and Pilgrims
Progress, and The Arabian Nights in hel
cupboard. I saw them there once"
Mrs. Hall bit her lips. Indifferent as she
had professed herself to the children, there
was drop of bitterness in their willingness
to leave her.
Ebenezer was fond of his grandchildren
and it seemed hard to separate them. Had
II