The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-07-19


Mrs. Wilson was too much amazed
to reply, and her husband went off to
the barn for once, without sone fretful
last word flung after him.
There isn't enough sugar in my
coffee, Maria" said he, as he sat at
supper. 1t is very strange that | can't
have my coffee right! There, now, it's
too sweet! | knew it would be So"
Mrs. Wilson again had nothing TO say,
and Stephen stared at his father in
open-mouthed establishment.
Mrs. Wilson began to be anxious.
Surely James vas going to be sick, she
thought. Never, in all the years OF
their life had she see him like this.
While poor Stephen thought to him.
self, that ii father was going to be like
that, too, the sooner he left for more
comfortable quarters the better.
Where are my slippers, Mariao'
asked Mr.. Wilson, in the same fretful
tone.
In the closet"
We'll, | should think you might get
them for me when you know how dog
tired | am"
Here they are, James," answered
Mrs, Wilson, meekly, thoroughly sub
dued by her fear of james prospective
illness.
Those are my best ones, bring me
my old ones; since I've come to think
of it, I'll take my best ones" he called
after her, just as she had successfully
made the change and was returning
with the old ones.
After Il weary evening, in which Mr..
Wilson spent in fretting; Mrs. Wilson,
in subdued silence; Stephen, in setting
out under the trees in the dark,
whistling to himself in Il detected man.
ner and wondering what was to be the
outcome Of it all: and Cousin Ellen, in
serenely knitting, while she put in a
word here and there, not seeming to
notice Mr.. Wilson's ill-humor. After
three or four hours Of this discomfort,
the family finally found themselves
preparing for bed.
Tap, tap, tap, came softly at mid
night on Cousin Ellen's door, accom-
ponied by a whispered cousin Ellen.
may | come IMP"
A cordial permission granted, this
poor W mar entered and flung herself
on Cousin Ellen's bed, bursting into a
food OF tears.
What shall l do. What shall l do"
she sobbed.
What is the matter, Maria?" asked
Cousin Ellen, with as much solicitude
as she could command for the occa.
sion.
20, Ellen, l think James is losing
his mind. He has just dropped asleep,
and | slipped away to talk to you about
it."
Nonsense! losing his mind! Where
do you see any evidence of that?"
didn't you hear the way he talked
tonight"
"Why, yes, OF course did. But
what Of that? He seemed to me very
sane. What did he say that especially
indicated insanity"
"Why, he found fault So"
well, is that an evidence OF in.
sa~nity?"
Il should think SO. He is usually so
easy, and don't mind any thing"
II think you're mistaken there. |
think he minds plenty of things, but
don't choose to say so. Do you think
that every time you express disap-
provaI OF any thing you are given evil
dencrs OF insanity"
''Why, no! of course not. But then,
I'm differently constituted. | feel
things so, and | can't help saying So"
If Cousin Ellen had spoken, she
would have been so rude as to say
'BoSh,' But she held her peace a few
moments.
See here, Maria" she said, II have
but little patience with the people whl
tlatter themselves that they cant help
speaking when things are unpleasant
to them. Let me tell you that James
knows when things are uncomfortable
around him, quite as well as you do,
and his not complaining all the time is
not an evidence OF want Of feeling, but
of good sense. I'm not going to say
any thing more. ! don't believe in
guests making themselves generally
obnoxious. Go ask James what is the
matter with him."
And Cousin Ellen knew by Maria's
expressions the next morning at the
breakfast table that she had not only
asked him. but had been answered
gently and wisely.
Cousin Ellen" she burst out impet-
uously about ten o'clock, as they sat in
uncomfortable silence, sewing (while
Miss Renter wondered whether 1t was
not just about time that her visit was
ended), Il had made up my mind
wouldn't say a word more, | feel so
mortified, but | just can't help it. |
should burst if l didn't. l think if |
talked the matter over with you, we'd
feel more comfortable all round"
A long quiet talk did make things
more comfortable all round. Aunt
Ellen did not say much, but she said it
well. After a moments silence she
concluded with: Maria, there is one
thing | did not mean to tell you, but ]
think | will. 1t will put the matter
very clearly before you, Do you know
the reason Stephen did not fix the gate
Yesterday? He told me that mother