The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-08-25

willingly. so that he might as well do
Il first as last"
You're all wrong-all wrong. de-
pend upon it." and Mrs. Renter shook
her head
You don't know anything about II
Cousin Ellen. You never had Stephen
to deal with"
mo, but I've had men and women
to deal with, and can see very well
where most OF the trouble lies.
II wish to goodness you'd tell me
then. The way work and slave Tor
James and Stephen never was besten.
and they don't seem to try to please
me one bit )"
"Do you try to please themP
"Try to please themr' in angry as
tonishmeut Don't ! work my finger
ends off for themP"
81 didn't ask you that asked you
is you tried to please them"
'ff you'll tell me what you mean
flor it seems very ridiculous to me,)
Ill Try TO answer.
Then Cousin Ellen talked long
time and told Maria just what she
thought OF her, but she told her very
gently and kindly. Mrs. Wilson was
more than astonished to see herself in
this light; she. the abused one. Great
ing all this disturbance She didn't
believe it. However. she promised
Cousin Ellen she would try her way
Just to show her that all she. Maria,
could do wouldn't make any differ
ence.
At Cousin Ellen's suggestion. she
went to the door to call Stephen to
send him on an errand.
"Waitr' said Miss Renter. don't call
him while you look like, that. There.
now, the wrinkles are gone, now call
him gently and pleasantly"
Stephen looked up from his work
with start at the new tone in his
mothers voice. but answered, pleasant.
ly in return: "WelL motherp'
'Can you go on an errand for me"
''Can you wait about ten minutes,
because will be done thenp"
"Not very well, would a little
rather that you would 60 at once"
"All right" and the nimble Stephen
was off as soon as he could arrange
matters in o shape to leave"
20, well! that's only once" said
Mrs. Wilson. in answer to- "a question
ing look from Miss Renter. He just
happened to be In a good hnmor."
do you know whyP" 1t was be-
cause you put him in one by address,
ing MIN pleasantly"
When Stephen returned rather later
than he should have done. he said. Il
was a good while, mother. but I saw
some wild roses you like SO much, and
when went to get them fell into the
brook"
20 dear! and got the silk all wet
suppose" began Mrs. Wilson. fretful-
ly, without a word of thanks for the
thoughtfulness.
A hard. set look, came over Stephens
face, where moment before only peni-
tence and affection shone.
ATS not worth while for you to get
on one of your sulky fits. young man;"
began the mother in threatening
tone.
Throwing the unchanged silk into
his mother lap, Stephen rushed away,
being careful. however. to slam the
door after him as emphatically as pos
sible.
"You see, Cousin Ellen" began Mrs.
Wilson, plaintively. 'ft's just as I told
you; that boy has a vile disposition.
I'm sure he doesn' t, get it from me"
mo-" thought Aunt Ellen to her.
self. sarcastically, don't bolieve he
does got it from yous for you surely
have lost none of yours. This IL
what she thought but aloud she said
nothing.
"What arc you thinking about, Ceus.
in Ellenp" asked Mrs Wilson, after
while. uneasy and uncomfortable in the
unbroken silence.
But before she had time to reply
James drove up with a hearty "Com'
on, Cousin Ellen. Get on your dud
and drive to town with me-"
OFF she went glad of the respite. ant
through the long lanes and by thu
, green fields her perturbed spirit found
, rest
t The discon tented look had not worl
off Mrs. Wilson's face when they re
, turned. She opened her lips for som
remark, but her husband anticipate
| her with:
"Wife. you haven't got that plac
| fixed in my coat yet I saw it hang
, ing IN the closet. I'll be bound you
forget it. Iwant it Sunday, too"
Mrs. Wilson was too much amaze
D to reply. and her husband went off t
the barn for once. without some fretfu
I last word flung after him.
t There isn't enough sugar in m
l coffee, Maria" said he. ar he sat a
supper. '.It is very strange that
can't have my coffee right! There
now, it's too sweet! I knew it woul
r be So" Mrs. Wilson again had moth
ing to say. and Stephen stared at hi
i father in open. mouthed establishment
, Mrs. Wilson began to be anxious
= Surely James was going to be sick, sh
a thought. Never, in all the years G
Q their life had she seen him like this
d While poor Stephen thought to him
r self, that if father was going to b
b like that, too. the sooner he left fc
y more comfortable quarters the better
S where are my slippers. Mariap
asked Mr.. Wilson. in the same fretf'
a tone.
!: I'm the closet"
s .Well, / should think you might e
u them for me when you know how dol
tired l am"