Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-05-15
IAN INSTANCE"

July Ios lIOW 1ietiO We hhOW ODC
day what may happen the next.
For instance, yesterday Hugh had
been to the postoffice in the morning
and came in to dinner with an open let
ter in his hand, which he gave to me, as
he took his seat at the table.
After l had poured Hugh's coffee, and
waited ON the two boys, read it. 1t
was from Ellen Woods, Hugh's cousin,
who lives in Chicago.
She wrote to say she was not feeling
well that the doctor had advised her to
get into the country, and, as she was
told the part of our State where we lived
was very healthy, she was going to make
us visit; she would be with us ON the
18th, that was yesterday.
"Why, Hugh!" exclaimed, "that is
to-day! She will be here this afternoon. ="
81 suppose so," said he; "cheek of
her, anyway, to come up here now
when we are so busy-and lug alon G
those young ones"
"How many has she, Hugh9" quer-
ricd anxiously.
''I'm sure don't know; four or five,
Ndyy bC iCpbCo, VIII q ihdCC3 dc
he helped himself to second plate of
beef.
/ had meant to rest in the afternoon,
and read q new book after my dishes
were done. I was going to let Ted and
Bob go into the bayfield, with their father,
and anticipated good time with my
book. had just my new hammock put
~ hn ohala Of Tho he, ,,.1o
of the house, and all the morning l
had thought of the comfort in store
in the afternoon-but, here all was
changed.
To be sure, Ellen was no favorite of
mine; in fact, did not know her very
we'll anyway. When we were first mar
ried and lived in Illinois, we were neigh
bors of her folks, and used to see her
when she came home to visit, that was
all. But could not help that she was
coming here, and coming that very day,
and l must prepare for them. l did
wonder how many there were.
had bread enough for ourselves-but
not enough for company-part of cake
and pie.
hurried my dishes, built up big fire
in the stove in the summer kitchen, made
two big loaves of baking powder graham
bread, made lot of rhubarb pies, and a
layer cake; then l thought, as / had a
good fire, would make some cookies
l baked four gallon jar full, and when
they were done was about as well cooked
as they were; my head ached and my
feet were burning like fire.
cast regretful glances at my hammock
every time l went into the pantry, for
from there could see it, hanging empty
in the cool shadows.
arranged the dining room, and then,
with pail of soft water and an armful
of towels, went up stairs to prepare the
rooms.
All done, went to my own room,
with just ten minutes to rest before
dressing.
sat down in the darkened room,
where the cool breeze stole through the
shutters, dropped my head back and
slept till the sound of Hugh calling,
"whoa," to the horses, brought me up
with start. l dashed cold water over my
face and neck, brushed my hair, slipped
quickly into calico wrapper, and got
down stairs just as they all came troop
ing into the hall. Ellen, tired and
warm, with ten-months old baby,
cross, and fretting; following her came
Marguerite, tall girl of fourteen, sal
low-faced, and thin, with big grey eyes
in dark hollows. Then there burst into
the house four boys, ranging from
twelve to five, armed with hoops, bats,
bows and arrows, and the largest with a
parlor rifle. My heart sank within me,
but l tried to look glad, and greeted
them as warmly as l could.
l took Ellen and the girl to their
room. The boys would not go up, but
dumped their burden In the hall, and
rushed out doors.
went to prepare tea, which | soon
had ready for them.
When all were seated, there were FL
len and six children of hers, Hugh and
l, our two boys, and two hired men,
making thirteen altogether. As / sur
veYed that row of hungry mouths and
thought of all the standing over hot fires
it meant for me, felt like going off and
hiding.
After supper Hugh went after the
baggage, and I washed djshes-such a
lot-and strained the milk.
Hugh came back with the baggage,
three big trunks, and whilo he and one
OF the men lugged them up stairs, sat
down and tried to talk to Ellen.