Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-27

hope YOU will not mind what am gong
to say My husband has asked me Il
speak to you. He seemed a little put out
this afternoon: i di not please him that
Hannah should take your place with the
children"
.Hannah to- me 50 when she came up
Mrs. Morton"
In spite of ali my efforts to restrain my
temper, am afraid my voice was little
sullen. had never answered her in such
tone before | would obey Mr.. Nor
ton: knew my own position well enough
for that, but they should both see that
this part of my duty was oistasteful to
me.
To my intense surprise she took my
hand and held it gently.
II was afraid you would feel it in this
way. Merle, but l want you to look upon
it from another point of view. You know
that my husband forewarned you that
your position would entail difficulties.
Hitherto things have been quite smooth;
now comes duty which you own by your
manner to be bitterly distasteful. | SYM
pathize with you, but my husbands
wishes are sacred; he is very particular on
this point. Do YOU think for my sake that
you could yield in this?''
She still held my hand, and L own that
the foolish feeling crossed me that / was
glad that she should know my hand was
as soft as hers, and as she spoke to me in
that beseeching voice all sallenness left
me-
''There is very little that I would not do
for your sake, Mrs. Morton, when you
have been so good to me. Please do not
say another word about it. Mr.. Morton
was right; ! have been utterly in the
wrong; feel that now. Next Thursday |
will bring down the children into the
drawing groom"
She thanked me so warmly that she
made me feel still more ashamed of my
self; it seemed such wonderful thing
that my mistress should stop to entreat
where she could by right command, but
she was very tolerant of a girls hayward
ness. She did not leave me even then, but
changed the subject. She sat down and
talked to me for few minutes about N.Y.
self and Aunt Agatha. / had not been
home yet, and she wanted me to fix some
afternoon when Mrs Garnett or Travers
could take my place.
1--WE must not let you get too dull,
Merle" she said. gently. Hannah is
good girl, but she cannot be a companion
to you in any sense of the word" And
perhaps in that she was right.
| woke the following Thursday with q
sense of uneasiness expressing me, so
largely do our small fears magnify them
selves when INDUCED. AS the afternoon
approached / grew quite pale with appre-
hension, and Hannah, with unspoken
sympathy-she had wonderful tact for a
grl-only limited at the matter in a round
about way.
had dressed Reggie In his turquois-
blue velvet and was fastening my clean
friiled apron over my black gown, when
Hannah said, quietly, well, it is no won
der master likes to show people what sort
of nurse he has got. | don't think any
one could look so nice in a cap and apron
as you do, Miss Fenton. 1t is just as
though you were making believe to be a
servant like me- and it would not do any.
how"
1 smiled a little at Hannah's homely
compliment, hut / confess it pleased me
and gave me courage. / felt still more
like myself when my boy put his dimpled
arms round my neck, aud hid his dear
face on my shoulder. | could not per-
suade him to loosen his hold until his
mother spoke TO MN; ana there was
Joyce holding tightly to my gown all the
time.
The room was so full that it almost
made me giddy. It was good of Mrs.
Morton 10 rise from her seat and meet me,
but all her coaXing speeches would not
make Reggie do more than raise his head
from my shoulder. He sat in my arms
like baby prince, beating off every one
with his little hands, and refusing even to
go to his father.
Every one wanted to kiss him. and ]
carried him from one to another. joyce
had left Inc at once for her mother. Some
of the ladies questioned me about the
children. They spoke very civilly, but
their iuqustive chances made my face
burn, and it was with difficulty that ]
made suitable replies. Once | looked up.
and saw that Mr.. Morton was watching
me- His glance was critical, but not un.
kind | had feeling then that he was
subjecting me purposely to this test.
must carry out my theory into practice
am convinced all this was in his mind as
he looked at me, and | no longer bore
grudge against him.
Not long afterward | had an opportuni.
ty of learning that he could own himself
fallible on some points. He was exceed
ingiy just, and could bear rebuke even
from an inferior if it proved him to be
clearly in the wrong.
One afternoon he came into the nursery
to play with the children for a few min
utes. He would wind up their mechaui-
cal toys to amuse them. Reggie was I'M
usually fretful, ana nothing seemed to
please him. He scolded both his father
aud his walking doll, and would have
nothing to say to the learned dog who
beat the timbrels and nodded his head APP
provngly to his own music. Presently
he caught sight of his favorite woolly
lamb placed out of his reach, ON the man
elpiece, ana began screaming and kick
ing.
Naughty Reggie" observed his father,
complacently, aud he was taking down
the toy when | begged him respectfully to
replace it.
He looked at me in some little surprise.
Il Thought he was crying for it," he
said, somewhat perplexed at this.
Reggie must not cry for things after
that fashion," | returned, firmly, for felt
Il serious principle was involved here.
"lIe is only a baby, but he is very sensi-
bic, and knows he is naughty when he
screams for thing l never give it to
him until he is good"
Indeed" a little dryly. "Well, he
seems far off from goodness now. What
do you mean by making all that noise, my
bow"
Reggie was in one of his passions. it was
easy to see that; the toy would have been
flung to the ground in his present mood;
So, without looking at his father or asking
his permission, | resorted to my usual
method, and laid him down screaming
Justify i'll his little cot.
There, baby must stop until heis good"
remarked, quietly; and took my work
and sat down at some little distance,
while Mr.. Morton watched us from the
other room. | knew my plan always an
swered with Reggie, and the storm would
soon he over.
In two or three minutes his screams
ceased, and heard penitent "Gurgle-
da;' then 'Nur, nur." went to him di-
rectly. and in moment ne held out his
arms to be lifted out of the cot.
lis Reggie quite good2" l asked, as I
kissed him.
"Ood. God" was the triumphant reply,
and the next moment he was cuddliug his
lamb.
II own your method is the best, nurse"
observed Mr.. Morton, pleasantly. my
boy will not be spoiled, / see that. 1 con-
7 y. 4 7