Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-10-29
A QUIET EVENING.
An Evening Experience of MIR. Bodweii.
OF Nelson Street.

An Evening Experience of Mr. Bodweiis
OF Nelson Street
Copyrighted BY Lee a Shepard. Boston, and
published By special arrangement with them-s
Mr.. Bodwell. of Nelson street, sat
down for quiet communion with his
family and the newspaper on Thursday
evening. All the children but the eldest
had eaten supper. and he was industri-
ously engaged at that task. Mr. Bod
well drew up to the lamp, selected amin
teresting article that would undoubtedly
engross his wife. and commenced 10 re-
produce it, while she. patient woman.
kept her eyes on the children. as the
father was very sensitive TO foreign
noises when engaged in reading Bod
well had got down the column some
twelve lines. and was just laying him
self ont on the big words. when one Of
the girls. while taking unusual precau-
ton TO step around scuttle OF coal.
actually stepped into it. and a bewilder-
ing crash followed.
..Merciful heaven shouted Bodwel.
what was that" Mrs. Bodwell ex-
planned, the other children Uttered. and
the girl. being wise child. knew her
own father, and sagaciously left Again
Bodwell picked up the paper. and CIV
ing it spiteful twist, resumed the ar
ticle. 1t was moment or two before
he regained his composure, but the
author was a man acquainted with the
business, and the skill with which he
handled the subject soon conquered Bod
wells mind He became wholly alb
sorbed in the matter. and at one point
he inyoluntarily brought down his
clinched hand with force that amply
expressed his own feelings and very
forcibly stirred up those Of one of the
children. who had caught the full effect
of the descending fist.
Twill somebody cut me openy" plead
ed the despairing man. as he caught up
the shriehing offspring and fell to rub
bing its back. while the mother dashed
after the campnor, and the other chill
dren. awestruck by the affair. rushed
into the hall TO laugh. 1t was full five
minutes before the injured one was quiz
eted, and by that time Mrs. Bodwell ex-
pressed desire to hear no more OF the
article: but Bodwell was determined
then 10 finish it any way. and he resumed
the paper During the progress OF the
next reading little girl came in to bor-
row a hatiron, and the mother got up to
give it TO her, moving about SO quietly
that Bodwell was not interrupted. The
eldest boy was still at his supper. He
was good boy. Whenever he wanted
anything he stood up and reached for 1t
himself, and did it very quietly
just as the little girl departed with
the fatiron, the heir, who had his ia
theirs boots on. stood up to reach over
the table for the sixth tart. The mother
in returning detected the vacant chair.
and fearing some one would fall over 1t
and make another disturbance, she
thoughtfully moved it back to the wall,
and Just got by as the heir settled back
with the coveted tart, and finding moth
ing but thin air to receive him made u
desperate effort to save himself, but
was too late. and came down ON the floor
with crash that made every timber in
the house squeak. and the Mortified parent,
on looking up. was nearly petrified with
amazement to see his own boots clawing
madly among the dishes, while the dis
tracted occupant was vainly endeavoring
TO extricate himself from under the table.
That wound up the evenings entertain
ment The Disguised Bodwell put on
his coat and fled down street, leaving
the very sore and mortified heir to sup
press the mirth indiscreetly displayed by
the other children as he best could with
the agencies at hand.