Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-09-08
That City Boarder.
JOSEPH BERT SMILEY.

WHY THE MAKDoNs ARE GLAD THEY TOOK
HEH FOR THE SUMNER.
II would be hard to find q prettier, more
cozy home in the whole country than the
Mardon cottage on this bright, summer
morning. The swaying branches of the
gnarled old apple tree, beside the open
kitchen door, held full many feathered
warbler, whose music, fresh and sweet,
seemed calling all to rejoice.
But the mistress of the little home heeds
ed not the invitation. These summer
mornings were very trying TO her in more
ways than one. The kitchen, although
picturesque to the beholder, was decidedly
warm and uncomfortable; there was an
ironing and some baking to attend TO, be-
sides dinner to prepare for the hungry har-
vesters.
"Only one pair of hands to attend to all
this; no wonder feel tired. Plenty of
men in the field, but no girl to help in the
house. If | were a girl again, believe"
A loud shrek from the baby interrupted
her soliloquy, and hastily making her way
to the sitting room, a new trial of her pa
tience awaited her. The little boy, on
awakening, had grssped the tablecloth in
order to gain his somewhat unsteady feet,
and frightened by the havoc he had made,
screamed Justify.
"Oh, dear. almost time to begin prepar-
ing dinner; will this child never stop cry
ing?
At last, after many efforts on the moth
ers part, Freddie stopped ffetting, and es-
tablished his babyhood on the floor with a
basket of playthings. Mrs. Mardon start
ed for the kitchen, and was soon busily en-
gagged in the prosaic work of preparing
vegetables.
"MiIlie, l have letter from Mr.. Col
burn; he wishes to send his daughter here
for few months. He will pay well for
her board and we need the money. want
to begin laying away something for q farm
for Steve; he would be good deal stead
ier if he had something of the kind to look
forward to, think"
A look of impatience, blending into sor-
row, came into the wife's face. To her
the prospect of a boarder was anything
but pleasant, and at the mention Of Steve
her heart was filled with sharp pang, the
keen sorrow that q mother feels as she
realizes that the hopes which have Tor
years sustained her, that of her son taking
an bonored and useful place in the world,
are to be dashed to the ground.
well, had better write and tell her to
come. her 1atnef S2lQ sne UluH "eus w
go to the seaside with the rest OF the fam.
lily. She is pretty particular, and you had
better fix up the spare chamber, | guess
Il will do the best can, but there Is SO
much work to be done now 1t seems i'm
possible for me to do more. But sup
pose we must take her to board.
Why, of course. Mile; ready money
isn't so plentiful that we can afford TO lose
the chance of making q little extra when
We can"
He was soon on the way TO the field.
Alone with her thoughts, Mrs. Mardon IN
dulged in some bitter reflections. Tne
prospect Of fastidious young lady board
er was anything but pleasant to the weary
oyerworked wife and mother.
Frank is SO anxious to make money ne
thinks of nothing else. II he had been
different, more leniept with Steve's boyisn
pranks it would have been better. Per
hans il had spent more time talking with
him and encouraging him be would have