The Irish standard., 1903-09-26
CHAPTER 1.
ARRIVALS.

weather. came in through the wide
easements, now putting out the dimity
curtains in white clouds, and again
drawing them against the tiny panes
of the long French windows, which
had been set ajar that Miss Ellery
might enjoy the balmy air and also
superintend work in the flower
garden upon which they opened.
One need not wish to look upon
prettier picture than this young
mistress made as she stood that
morning by a little deal table in the
great E,llcry dining room, washing
with her own hands the breakfast
china and at the same time issuing
orders to the negro slaves.
A huge. bbbed homespun apron
protected her figured cotton morning
dress, !; white kerchief WAS demurely
crossed beneath her chin, and a
snowy cap sat coquettishy upon her
brown head. in which gold and red
fought hard for supremacy. Her
sleeves were rolled above the elbow.
displaying IL handsome arm, while
SMALL slipprred foot now and then
tapped imperiouSly upon the polished
floor as she gave some command.
The room itself was receiving its
morning cleaning. The drugget had
been taken up from the polished
floor and WAS having good beating
out on the lawn ut Il sufficient distance
to keep he Gust from flying into the
house; Aun; Rachel was rubbing
down The great mahogany dining
table and the smaller breakfast
table: Gabriel was polishing the
silver; Judith was looking over the
table linen that had been used for
breakfast and the last nights supper
to see if there were stains that should
be removed! or worn places darned
before it was consigned to the
laundry; Enos was at work upon the
silver and glass candlrsticks. while
in the garden outside Uncle Peter was
busy among the flowers. singing the
while at the top of his cracked old
voice.
In the detached kitchen, some 20
feet from the house, Aunt Esther
and Aunt Deborah were sending up
quavcring contrnltos in rivalry of
Uncle Peters bass, accompanying
themselves with the rattle of pots
and pans, and interrnpting now and
then to shout u command or a threat
at their crew of picaninny assist
ants.
The watchfu eyes Of the mistress
were everywhere. for the hand which
held the domestic reins during her
stenmothers absence was not lax,
and it took no little vigilance to
keep that army of lazy, grown-up
black children to their tasks.
Uncle Peter" she called, in her
mellow southern voice, ''methinlls
You have been resting full ten min
utes upon that rake. Is the sun
then SO hot that you cannot work?'
Hist. missy whispered the old
darby, sticking his white cotton head
in through the window. "thnh's Il
band Of Britisl,ahs ridin' up de
av'new. Ole pctnh hab bin watchin'
der red coats 1ro' de trees
"And if So" said the mistress calm
~. as she placed her china upon Il
silver tray and herself carried il to
the chinaclosr,. q Stuop-shnuldrrcd
affair with glass -llnobi,rd doors be-
low and an uverhan"ing shelf above
on which were arranged such pieces
as were kept ont for display and
could not find room on the tail, col
rnncd si.lcbonrd laden with silver
candlestcks and glass drcnntrrs
goi,s-chnsrd tanlilr,ls. and fat
gnhiets land if So" she re.
pe:.tad. "wilat Of it? Are we
!,
fear his, ma i"s,E's soldiers? Tut
tnt. pick up your cloth, \unt Rachel
aud go on with your cleaning. Think
You the British viii knuw that YOU
remember Mir. Washington in youl
prayers, and in your heart r$pous'
he cause OF your old master. my
Uncle Fliiah":'
For lately james father ha,
bought from his brother Il number o
blacks whom That PATRIOTS circlm
stances, reduced by the war and hi
csporsal of the american cause
would not permit him longer to sup
port. Aunt Rachel and Gabriel wer
among these, and they had brough
the principles they had borrowed
from their old master into their ne>
home.
Just then Sampson appeared at TIL
door leading from the dining roo1
into the hall and announced in hi
most eNpresSionlcss tones. while II
held himself like a very stiff paste
board figure
''Maj. Brondns to see Miss Ellcry
Jane knew that he had been to
well trained by her stepmother
voluntarily bring stranger into he
presence with so little warning, az
she surmised the British officer ha
persisted in following at his heel
1t was somewhat haughtily, Their
fore, that she drew down the sleeve
of her gown and turned to meet Il
visitor, who stood in the entrance.
He looked both astonished and Ell
barrassed as her beautiful youl
face came within range of his visio
Evidently. he had not expected to
confronted by so much youth al
loneliness. pardon me, but are y,
--ah-the mistress of the house?"
asked hesitatingly. ...
"The temporary mistress, yes
she answered. "My father a
mother are from home. Is the
aught can do for yoI?"
"Col. Bessemer bids me present !
commitments and reuueSt thn mi