Year: 1861


the stove, and having got the dinner on the
way, went into the room for something, and
there the children were, building house of
stove wood which they had carried in from
the shed but it was rather more than L could
bear when l saw that Charley had my cloak
wrapped around him and over his head, as he
sat on the floor playing sspeep" with the baby
it pulling for life at the tassel. l forgot
everything there, and | know l took it from
him much quicker than he put it on. l was
not aware at the time that l gripped his arm
so tight as to warrant yell, but he indulged
in one at any rate. put the cloak away and
retreated to the kitchen, leaving my mother
to entertain them as best she could.


AS soon as Mrs. Wood heard the rattle of
dishes she brought her work out into the
kitchen to watch US. did not do a thing
but what she saw it, and | only hope she will
know all about the way | work by the next
time she comes. While went to the cellar
the children amused themselves by tasting
what was on the table, so their mother in
formed me when l came back, as though it
was something yer, smart indeed.


At last dinner was ready, and amid all the
noise aud confusion soon became seated
scarcely so, however, until three of the 8. lit
.ie dearS'' were helping themselves to whatev-
er they could reach Then it was,


s'Mother. want some peas" and "Mother,
give ME peice of meat as though they had
not eaten anything for week. Mrs. Wood
looked worried and excited, for my part felt
perfectly disguised, and no doubt looked the
same. [ could scarcely refain from uttering
a few words of heartfelt thank fulnesS when
they all left the table.


When 1 again joined company Mrs.
Wood had her cloak basted together, and re
quested me to act as Il "form," while she fit
ted it. was all obedience but could scarcely
suppress smile, for it had no more fit to it
than if it had been made without single seam.
She iDsinuated that she wished | would take
the scissors and sit down and alter it for her; but
| had no such idea. L told her the best
knew what to do land went to my own work. Just
then one of the children came in with, some
blocks, with which the baby commenced poun-
ding chair, leaving a scar at every blow.
Another one initiated drummer boy by beat
ing on new tin pan which he had taken
down in the kitchen, and Charley amused
himself by scattering the pins over the floor,
out of the cushion. Mrs. Wood looked at
them and laughed too see them enjoying
themselves so much.


My head ached badly, and every thump and
scream from The children went through and
through it, l gathered up my work and went
up stairs, thinking I'd have quiet time, for
little while, at least. Here l found the 9th
er child overhaulng things generally. After
having satisfied himself as to the contents OF
drawers and closets, he had riddled a couple
of ssWaverleys.'' This was about as much as
human nature could bear, and L could have
spanked him with right good will, but con-
tented myself by sending him down stairs
much quicker than supposed he came up.


laid down to rest my throbbing head few
minutes, and the next [ knew 1 awoke from
long sleep. My head was better, and | went
down stairs. The children were all ont play
ing, and their mother reading. The cloak
was folded up ard put away. Then supper
had TO be gone through with-attended with e.
ven worse noise than at dinner. The children
all drank tea from the oldest to the youngest !;
and one had too much sugar in his, another
not enough, third said the tea was not good ,
aud warted coffee, (Which he did not get.) If
Mrs. Wood corrected any of them, they gen
eraiv answered, 81 wont do it, or ado it
yourself" Then she raised her voice above
all others, and entertained us by telling about
her cookery. I thought if all she said was
true she must cook very differently tor her
family and for company. for had had it from
re eliable sources that she could never set de-
cent looking table and | thought, too, no
wonder her children acted so starved abroad.


l never saw a much worse looking house
than when We LETT the table everything was
scattered everywhere. | may as we'll avow
am little bit sold maidish,'' and it really
hurts my feelings 20 see things 80 out of order.
L scarcely knew where to begin; but, finally,
in the course of an hour, succeeded in clean
ing out most of the rubbish-getting the tin
pans hung up, etc.


Just at sunset Mrs. Wood gathered up her
work and babies and started home, mid many
pressing invitations for us all to come and see
her.


twas with feelings of the greatest relief that
1 closed the door after her, and turned again
into the now quiet room. So great was the
reaction that felt as though had just awak
ened from some terrible dream, or had been
rescued from a living death, and do hope
and pray that | may ever be spared the pleas
ure of being at home when Mrs. Wood and
her children come to spend the day.


A COOP ONE.-The following incident illus.
trates how desirous the volunteers are to obey
orders, and the good results of their efforts =
81 suppose you will see that l have written
mothers letter with lead pencil and yours
with pen and ink. 1t is because we have had
lot of pen holders and pens given to US by
fba Wa hay oil rod hoy of