Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-08

We've got company, chirped the lat
ter youth company, pa. | most forgot
to tell you. And ma In bed with head
ache, and there's no one to get them any
supper. Hoo-rayi''
Mr. Cavendish hurried into the house.
The parlor was undusted, Yesterday 5
flowers were wilted in the vases. and the
fire had died into mass of cinders.
Through the open door was visablo the
dining room, with the remains of the
breakfast still visible-as disinviting a
scene as could be beheld
And there IN the midst of all this for
lornity sat Mrs. Burgoyne. his sister from
the west. to whom he had frequently
boasted OF the perfection of his wife 5
housekeeping arrangements, and a Mrs.
Ridgway. who once. years ago, had been a
sort of old sweetheart of his. Of all people
he was most anxious that his home should
appear pleasant In the eyes of those two
women. And nov
He made the best of it however He
extended TO them an ostentatiously hos
pitable welcome. hurriedly built up a
blazing camel coal fire In the CRATE. and
fastened upstairs to where poor Mrs.
Cavendish was deIuging,her forehead in
cologne, and endeavoring to twist up the
wet braid of her heavy hair into company
order.
Julia, said he, what does this mean
Miles gone
Il discharged him" said she resolutely.
You said | was perfectly justifable in
doing so if he spoke impertinently to me.
And he did 50.
But what am to do?'
Precisely the question asked you this
morning.
Mr.. Cavendish had nothing further to
say for himself He simply muttered
some kind of an anathema between his
I closed lips.
DO you know" lie said, ''that there is
company down stairs?'
Yes, but until this moment l have been
unable to leave my bed
My dear he said compasssionately,
putting his arm around her shoulder,
does you head ache SO hard?''
1T is better now, James,
Il do believe" slowly observed Mr..
| Cavendish,' that have been a fool
'Oh James,
Il wish | hadn't flown into such a
passion with poor Lucy. And all about
nothing, too, when one comes to think OF
it.
Mrs. Cavendish laughed Historically.
I'VE all make mistakes, James, said
she. wait minute, dear. I'll go down
/ stairs with you now. if you'll give me your
arm. | couldn't ask your sister and her
friend up here with the children sick with
measles, could I?''
WHO is with them now-the children,
mean?'
q a handy girl from the village--Lucy's
! sister
'Couldn couldn't she help US with
the dinner?' ventured Mr.. Cavendish.
"She is too young. Besides she has Lad
no experience. But, james"
Yes. julia
open confession is good for the soul, >
said Mrs. Cavendish. Lucy came back
tC me about two hours ago, She said you
had sent her away. but she could not beal
to leave me at such time. She is getting
dinner down stairs now
shes trump. cried Mr.. Cavendish
Scarcely had he introduced his wife tC
| the ladies in the parlor than the folding
! doors of the back room slid open revealing
bright fire and we'll spread table
! decorated with spring fowers-daffodils
tulips and a few purple spikes Of lilac A
pair OF ducks had been roasted IN the best
and most tempting style There were
! sweet threads and chicken salad by way Of
entrees; delicious steam pudding sent
forth its perfume from the Kitchen anC
Lucy was just bringing in the tomato
soup.
Mr.. Cavendish nodded good humoredly
toward her. She cOurtesied respectfully.
! You needn t worry about the horse anC
cow. sir she said, in low voice
Peter Frink from the Low farm is com
ing to attend to them"
While the family were discussing the
! steam pudding and prune pie, Lucy slip
ped into the parlor, and to use her owl
term, Strengthened up the disorder
there, and the last impression taken away
i by the visitors was one of neatness anC
comfort.
Mr.. Cavendish drew long breath as hi
watched the retreating footsteps of hi
! company toward the road that led to thu
train.
, Julia" said he, turning to his wife
I've come to the conclusion that time
have changed since my mother did tnt
work for ten children without any ser
want -
Il quite agree with YOU said Mrs
! Cavendish.
And was entirely wrong when sen
! Lucy away; and you were quite right whel
you discharged Miles. Henceforward, m,
dear, We'll try to mingle a little common
sense with our housekeeping. Eh-shal
we?''
And Mrs. Cavendish smiled as she as