The Opelousas courier., 1891-06-06
AN INSTANCE"

peen to the postoffice in the mornin,
Mad came IN to dinner with an open let
ter in his hand, which he gave to me, al
he took his seat at the table.
After I had poured Hugh's coffee, and
waited on the two boys, l read it. L
was from Ellen Woods, Hugh's cousin,
who lives in Chicago.
She wrote to say she was not feeling
WE'LL that the doctor had advised her t.
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 a visit; she would be with us on the
14th, that was yesterday.
"Why, Hughl"I exclaimed, 'sthat is
to-day! She will be here this afternoon. f"
81 suppose So" said he; tcheek Of
her, anyway, to come up here now
when we are so busy-and lug alon Q
those young ones"
"How many has she, Hugh2n I auer-
ried anxiously.
Tim sure | don't know: four or five.
anyway" he replied, with a grimace. as
he helped himself to a second plate of
beef.
had meant to rest in the afternoon,
and read a new book after my dishes
were done. | was going to let Ted and
Bob go into the bayfield, with their father,
and | anticipated a good time with nv
book. had just my new hammock put
up in the shade of the big maple north
OF the house, and. all the morning I
had thought of the comfort In store
IN the afternoon-but, here all was
changed.
To be sure, Ellen was no f~avorite of
mine; in fact, / did not know her very
well 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 sas
coming here, and coming that very day,
and | must prepare for them. l did
wonder how many there were.
1 had bread enough for ourselves-but
o enough for company-part of a cake
and a pie.
Hurried my dishes, built up a big fire
in the stove in the summer kitchen, made
two big loaves of baking powder graham
bread, made a lot of rhubarb pies, and a
layer cake; then | thought, as / had a
good fire, | would make some cookies;
! baked a 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 chances at my hammock
every time ! went into the pantry; for
from there I could see it, hanging empty
in the cool shadows.
room. The boys would not 90 up. but |
dumped their burden in the hall, and |
rushed out doors.
went to prepare tea, which I soon
had ready for them.
When all were seated, there were Ell
and six children of hers, Hugh and
!, 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, I felt like going off and
After supper Hugh went after the
baggage, and ] washed dishcs-such d
lot-and strained the milk.
Hugh came back with the baggage.
three big trunks, and while he and one
I arranged the dining room, and then,
With a pail of soft water and an armfuI
towels, went up stairs to prepare the
ooms.
All done, 1 went to my W room.
nth Just ten minutes to rest before
ressing.
sat down in the darkened room,
there the cool breeze stole through the
.hutters, dropped my head back and
Iept till the sound Of Hugh calling.
Whoa to the horses, brought me IN
nth q start. | dashed cold water over nv
lce and neck, brushed my hair, slipped
ulekly into q calico wrapper, and got
own stairs just DIS they all came troop-
y into the hall. Ellen, tired and
arm, with a ten months old baby,
ross, and ffetting, following her came
larguerite, a tall girl of fourteen. sal !,
W-faeed, and thin, with big grey eyes
dark holloWs. Then there burst into
70 house four boys, ranging from
velye to five, armed with hoops. bats. /,
oWs and arrows, and the largest with q !
rife. My heart sank within me.
tried to look glad, and greeted !
as warmly as | could. :
! took Ellen and the girl to their !,
the men lugged them up stairs, I sat t
,wn and tried to talk to Ellen. i
/ remarked upon the heat. 4
ssOh. it was SO hot and dusty on the i
rs; am just tired to DEATH she re.
led, in a thin. fretful- voice, as she 8
the baby, trying to get it to b
ep. :
] asked her if she would not sit out ON t,
2 porch, as it wa cooler there. b
mo, couldn't endure tbs night air. &
E answered.
Conversation tagged, | was too tired 6
talk, and think she was. / made q
ut efforts to keep up a conversation Il
! % be agreeable, as sat sWeltering ID Ii
hot room, when out on the YerandaI
no see the moonlight and hear Hugh r
! the men talking. ID
burn kerosene, don't YOU re- o.
fked Ellen. ~ do hate the smell Of II
Why do you use it2s 3
What should we asesn I asked, tive %
no gas IN the country a
Candles, of course. she replied.
q q Sigh curve of the lip. s.
sGandfeeqis asLad II - u
'hy, no n uses candles nowadays 2
'Oh, there, that is just what it is to 4,
IN the country; one never knows ~