Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-09-17
THAT CITY BOARDER.
Why the Mardons Are Glad They
Took Her for the Summer.

than the Mardon cottage on this bright
summer morning. The sYaying
branches Of the gnarled old apple tree,
beside the open kitchen door, held full
many feathered warbler, whose mu-
sic, fresh and sweet, seemed calling all
to rejoice.
But the mistress of the little home
needed not the invitation. These sum-
mer mornings were very trying to her,
in more ways than one. The kitchen,
although picturesque to the beholder,
was decidedly warm and uncomforta'
BILE; there was an ironing and some
baking to attend to, besides dinner to
prepare for the hungry harvesters.
'+Only one pair of hands to attend to
all this; no wonder feel tired Plenty
Of men In tho field, but no girl to help
in the house If were girl again,
believe"
A loud shrek from baby interrupted
her soliloquy, and hastily making her
way to the sitting-room, sad trial of
her patience awaited her. The little
boy, on awakening had, grasped the
tablecloth in order to gain his some
what unsteady feet, and frightened
by the havoc he had made, screamed
Justify.
ooh dear! almost time to begin pre-
pairing dinner; will this child never
stop crying?"
At last, after many efforts on the
mothers part, Freddie ceased fretting,
and establishing his b@byship on the
floor with basket of playthings, Mrs.
Mardon started for the kitchen and
was soon busily engaged in the prosaic
work of preparing vegetables.
"Milly, have letter FROM Mr.. Col
burn; he wishes to send his daughter
here for a few months. He will pay
well for her board and we need the
money. want to begin laying away
something to buy farm for Steve; he
would be good deal steadier II he had
something of the kind to look forward
| to, think"
| A look of Impotence, blending into
sorrow, came into the wife's face. To
her the prospect of a boarder was any
thing but pleasant, and at the mention
of Steve her heart was filed with
sharp pang, the keen sorrow which
mother feels as she realizes that the
hopes which have for years sustained
her, that of her son taking an honored
and useful place in the world, are to be
dashed to the ground.
"Well, 1 had better write and tell
her to come. Her father says she didn't
want to go to the seaside with the rest
of the family. She is pretty particular,
and you better fix up the spare cham
Der, 1 guess"
81 will do the best / can, but there
is so much work to do now it seems
impossible for me to do more. But
suppose we must take her to board"
"Why, of course, Milly; ready money
isn't so plentiful that we can afford to
miss the chance of making a little ex-
ira when we can"
He was soon on his way to the field.
Alone with her thoughts, Mrs. Mardon
INDUCED in some bitter reflections.
The prospect of fastidious young lady
boarder was anything but pleasant to
the weary, overworked wife and
| mother.
Frank is so anxious to make money
he thinks Of nothing else. If he had
been different, more lenient with
Steve's boyish pranks, it would have
been better. Perhaps if I had spent
more time talking with him and en-
eouraging him he would have been
steadier; but I've always been too tired
to take the time when my work was
I, |
/ ing away from me. Meta is determined
to keep up an intimacy with the Down
J ings, and Tom Downing Is not the man
, l should want her to marry. I am sorry
she went to learn q trade, for her work
takes her around too much, and need
her help at home"
Light footsteps were now heard and
the subject of the mothers reflections
a = u -
d eighteen years.
Dear! how warm this kitchen is
Do hurry with the dinner, mother
Father is coming with the men from
the field and I've got to get back a.
soon as l can"
Dinner Is ready, daughter. Cam
| you help me little?"
81 have got to sew ruffle in m,
dress. Where is Lizzie? should thinl
= she might help; she has nothing to d.
but go to school, while I am at worl
all the time"
Lizzie hasn't come from school yet
I think can get along now very we'll,
and the foolishly indulgent mothe
o hurriedly dished the food as the me
entered the kitchen.
Naturally selfish and indolent, Net
| SArkcd all the household tasks posi-
BILE. She was not utterly heartless, bu
so accustomed was she to seeing he
mother at work, that it seemed quit
the proper thing to have her assume al
s, the work and responsibility. 1t wa
seldom that Mrs. Mardon required an
service of her daughters, and when thi
= was the case, important duties usual
demanded their attention elsewhere
To be sure she had entered a feebl
f. protest when Meta wished to learn tn
10 dressmaker's trade; told her she neet
Mt cd her help at home, but in the end tn
girl carried her point. 1t was natur;
she should want to earn money to bu
the pretty dresses, the thousand an
one tribes in which q young girl d
lights, so the mother re asoned.
O The guest chamber was in READINGS
for the expected occupant by the ne:
evening, and was as inviting as cleal
I'D ct, 1t, 1T