The state herald., 1890-08-08
A DOMESTIC CHRONICLE.

MIS. SuNcuutsu lOokcu up WIN y
start. She was buttoning Bob's apron.
patiently following him about the room
as he frisked after the cat.
"What?" said she, in . dismayed
voice.
II spoke distinctly enough. didn't II
-havc--dischargcd-Lucy!'
what for, james,"
''Insolencc; that's ALL"
"But Lucy never could have been In
solent," pleaded Mrs. Cavcndish,
twitching OF the last button from Bob's
apron in her perturbation.
"Oh. couldn't she, though? I Just
wish you had been there, that's ALL"
What did she say James?'
II told her she was half an hour be-
hind with the breakfast and asked what
she meant by it. and she told me she
was doing TIA best she could and
couldn't do better If all the world de-
pended upon it."
But, James, the poor girl is nearly
frantic with the toothache this morn
ing
II can's help that; she has no busi-
ness to answer me impudently. II
wasn't the words so much-it was the
manner"
Poor Lucy! And you have dis
charged hcr!'
That's you all over" said Mr.. Cavern
dish. angrily. Il believe you'd take
anybody clsc's part against me. Yes.
of course l discharged her. told her
to have her things outside Of the house
III two hours or I'd fling them out of
the window"
But, James what am to doe" said
Mrs. Cavendish, who had by this time
captured Ethel. the second child. and
was buttoning her boots with nervous
rapidity. with one Of my sick head
aches coming on, aud Willie and Pen
down with the measles. and not soul
TO lift n hand for mel"
That's n pretty question to ash.
said Mr.. Cavendish, standing with his
hands in his pockets. One would
think you women were made of sugar
or salt nowadays. My mother had ten
children--ten-and did every stroke Of
work for 'em herself year in and year
out; and here you make such rumpus
because you happen to be left without
servant for tweuty-four hours-be-
cause. Of course. shall expect to stop
al Virgins and send you up Swcde OF
Norwegian this afternoon"
Poor Mrs. Cavendish burst into tears.
James. said she. Lucy WAS the
best girl have ever had. You should
not have sent her out Of the house In
this way. How would you like II II
went down to your wholesale boot and
shoe place and discharged your clerks?''
Il should say You did perfectly
right" returned Cavendish. ''if they
answered you impertinently. Now don't
SWIVEL! II there Is anything l hate Il
Is u scene. III 70 downstairs and boil
the coffee myself--any one can make
cofiee-and YOU hurry down with thu
children rs soon rs you can. There.
plenty Of bread and butter and cold.
ham, anyhow. Nobody ever starved
OH that"
Mr.. Cavcndish had "campcd out" q
good deal during his bachelor days.
and succeeded in preparing u remark.
ably good pot Of coffee. The bread aud
butter and cold ham were not bad OF
their kind. but tho children cried aloud
for milk. The Cavendishes kept cow.
and the milk had not yet been brought
IN.
"And that l. what kept Lucy" In.
voluntarily cried Mrs. Cavendish.
Condensed milk Is good enough for
anybody" asserted Mr.. Cavendish.
But Bob and Ethel declined to drink
Il on any terms.
''Starve EN- To IT," said tho father,
drinking his hot coffee In prodigioui
gulps. Healthy children have nc
business to bc dainty"
And he caught up his hat and ulster
anil made lec-linc for the train.
Mrs. Cnyendish looked pitcously
around ut the disordcrcd table. tho ash.
choked fire. general desolation Of the
room. Her headache was gradually
working itself up TO tho supreme mo-
mcnt OF desperation. Tho children
above stairs were crying for breakfast
Bob was sailing his shoe In tho cedar
pail OF water; Ethel was feeding thc
Kitten from the eau Of condensed milk.
MA. rplpcd up Bob. there's tramp
at the kitchen windcr!"
But It was no tramp. II was Miles.
the stableman.
''Oh. Miles, ! am 40 glad" said Mrs.
Cavcndlsh. You have brought us the
milkP'
Il haven't that. num-" said Miles.
''Thc COWS lost. an II ant mcsclf !,
going To track her through the swainps
nm bogs. II the master wants bis COW
took care OF hos got to pay mo dollar
swcck moro wages"
'tiot to. MllesP"
"iis'mf' boldly rctortcd the man.
~ amt TO bc put upon no longer. DR..
Millcrs mail--"
VERY we'll" said Mrs. Cavcndish;
"you may gor'
"Ma'm!" echoed the nstoundcd ser.
want.
"You nrc discharged" said Mrs.
Cavendish. iirmly-"at oncci'
Miles Sunk away and disappeared.
Mrs. CavendIsh went up to her room.