Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-10-29
MRS. BEARDSLEY.

luTHb llInbb tue COuTho OF 0bE llI6 0hu
Mrs Beardsley died, and three times had she
gone to heaven, as she asserted with a COM
placency rivalled only by her resentment at
having been called back from that abode of
the good. Mrs. Beardsleys idea OF heaven,
however, may have been very different from
ours, and indeed il may have been quite an
other place that she visited. 1t would only
have been heaven to her II there we're
no children there to disturb the eternal
fitness of things, il there we're no music to
make dscord to her ear or want of ear, IL
there were no flowers TO make q clutter, and
il there we're no one present of any superior
authority to her own. One thing Is certain,
il Mrs. Beardsley had remained there it
would have been heaven to nobody else re-
naming there.
Them swapping black eyes o. hern would
spy something outer kilter in one O. the cor
ners of heaven itself" said old Miss Maxim
the nurse land she'd set the angels by the
quilts, and get up q new revolt among 'em
in less n no time" And her long .su ffering lit
tie step daughter in law didn't dare to smile
acquiescence.
II Mrs Beardsley had ever been a real
mother to her husbands son Aaron, Mrs.
lacy, AArons wife, might have felt different
ly; but AZ she had been the traditional step
mother 30 completely the sons wife felt
nothing but hostility in the year of her mar.
ried life and enforced compsnionship. She
was only a child then herself, having married
at seventeen and when Aaron died and left
her alone with Mrs. Beardsley, her heart
sank within her, and she hailed deliveranoe.
when two or three years Rfterward it came
along In the person Of handsome Harry
Havermau, embraced the deliverance out of
hand, and became Mrs. HAverman without
even asking Mrp. Beardsley's opinion and
that lsdy's hysterical surprise was one OF the
the occasions when Mrs BsarCisey went TO
heaven, and to everybody's sorrow, as we'll
as her own, failed to remain there.
Tacy, at the time Of what Mrs Beardsey
persisted in calling her elopement, owing to
her own lack of an invitation to the ceremo.
ny, left the house in Mrs. Beardsley's
hands, and letter saying that her own small
income should be at the disposal OF that lady
during her life. Il suppose she expects me
to thank her for my own" said Mrs. Boards
ley to Miss Maxim, "as il Aaron, my son,
would have had it different. He knew what
was duo his fathers widow, IL he didn't know
how bis own widow would carry on. won
der how she can reconcile it to her con-
science !"
"why, Mrs Beardsley, you thought Of
marrying again yourself once I" said Miss
Maxim.
That's the mischief of being q nurse 7"
exclaimed Mrs. Beardsley. Nurses know q
great deal more OF folks business than
folks know themselves. Al any rate, l didn't
marry again"
NO" said Miss Maxim, with full acquies-
oence now, as became q nurse, although per-
haps with a manner that reminded Mrs.
Beardsley why she didn't marry again. Nov
here's some nice Cruel you take il, like q
lady"
Me- paardslay boyay.s Io.oaya Ia, ,
at least she said she did. How could she help
it, with that old HavermAn house only
half mile away, the inside of which she
had never seen, and with Taoy's new outfit
not yet inspected by her, and with her burn
ing curiosity unqualified? To think that such
an affair could have been carried on under
her very eyes? As she reviewed the days
now, hundred incidents started up like
points Of fire to light her on her way. And
the moment she recovered from her Mysteries
she took little walk for her health in Taoy' q
| direction.
Good morning." said Tacy, coming down
in her pretty wrapper. CT never had such
gown in my life" said Mrs Beardsley
This is kind of you, Mrs. Be4rdsley. This
iskind of you, Mrs Beardsley."
why, lacy, l thought you'd be feeling 30
strange you'd be glad to see your mother,
and call her mother, too"
81 never called you mother while was
married to Aaron, Mrs. Beardsey, so it would
seem rather odd" said TAcy. "But there
now, we won't talk of that. Just take of
your things and stay to dinner, and you'll
have a chance to make Harry's acquaintance,
she said, gayly.
Him guess don't need to be invited
in my daughters house, Harry or no Harry.
And as for making his acquaintance, useC
to think knew enough of him when he wa
keeping company with Adele Freemantle."
"Why. what on earth do you mean 2" crieC
Taoy. Harry hardly knows Adele"
Doesn't he l.? Well, IL he wants TO tel
you So I've no objection. It's not my mis-
sion to be making mischief in. families. y
Having implanted which barb Mrs. Boards
ley proceeded to make herself at homes
much at home that before dinner time sht
had become acquainted with the contents o.
every closet in the house, and had given thu
kitchen-maid her own opinion of the car,
she took of her lamp chimneys.
'Id rather run over and do them mysel
for you than have them looking that way,
said Mrs. Beardsley
Would you ?" said Becky.
Eyes, l would. And don't you answer M
that way, either"
well, m, you're not my mistress; AM
when l ask you to trim my lamps, it's tim
enough to begin"
You'll find out who's your mistress, miss
and it won't be anybody in this house long
I'll warrant, said Mrs. Beardsley.
"Well, Tacy," said the guest that day q
dinner, after Becky had retired, ''beginnin
life again as you are, you can take advic
from your elders, suppose. And my advic
to you is to get rid of that Becky withou
warning. never met her match for impu
dence, and I've met good deal"
Becky Why, she's perfect treasure,
said Tacy.
"A perfect treasure !" echoed Harry, wit
gay twinkle of his wicked eyes.
well, you may call it treasure that in
suits your mother. call it baggage An
| shall expect you to send her packing II 20
care anything about me-"
Poor Tacy looked Rghast.
mo, no, now, Mrs. Beardsley, )" cried Hal
ry, coming to the rescue that's too sever
a test. Let Taoy keep the girl that suits her
You manage your girl, and she'll manae
hers"
81 haven't any girl, said Mrs. Bsardsley
deeply injured at the reminder OF the fac
IF il wasn't that Mrs. Maxim accepts
home with me between whites. l should
doing all my own work myself"
well, you come over here when you war
a rest" he said, rising. Pm going dow
your way now, il you want company, Mr.
Beardsley." Aud Taoy gave him glance {
gratitude, although she did not know Of /
that repaid him for the walk.
Poor little Tacy All her late years ha
been poisoned with the bitterness aud spice
of Mrs. Bsardsley's tongue. There had bee
a dispute going on between her and her steI
son Aaron that kept Taoy's head aching, al
, although she had so longed for peace th
: she would have been willing TO give up ever
. thing for the sake Of ii, she never secured