Year: 1873

]
only week before last, in search for this
girl, and you have all along called her ex-
cellent help. 1t seems to me it would be
unkind to dismiss her for SO slight
cause"


"SIight this is all you men know about
womans trials was the ungracious re-
sponse "Slight as it is, if the like thing
occurs again, l will dismiss her at once,
and attend to my own chamberwork and
lay the tables myself Think of having
lies-the dirty things-in my house, [
should 60 beside myself in less than
week"


Mr. Stanley gave over the discussion,
and we went to the tea-room There was
shining silver service, costly cut glass, rich
Sevres china and choice edibles, but these
were not enjoyed, for the mistress of it all
was inwardIy fuming and tretting, and
where this is the case it invariably brings
unrest and disquet to the hearts of those
who gather round the board felt all this
while sitting there, and | thought too how
necessary for the '' heads of family" to
be cheerful at the " family board"


In answer to the bell, the girl who had
by her oversight so ruffled her mistress
temper, came in. She was neat and pleas
ant looking, but l saw by the expression
of her face that she was still suffering from
the effects Of Mrs, Stanleys displeasure
[ was quite sure she had been weeping
Mr. Stanley strove to be lively and social,
but still it was an uncomfortable meal to
all, and | was glad when it was over.


Perhaps my reader has gathered from
what have said of my friend that she
was naturally of dsagreeable and exact
ing disposition, but this was not true.
Never was a sweeter, kinder-hearted girl
than she, but she had begun her married
life with the ambitious design Of becoming
model housekeeper," and 50 intent had
she been in following out her purpose, that
she had imperceptibly to herself, acquired
the habit of watching the movements of
every member Of the household, lest they
should interfere in any of her arrange
ments, also that of fretting for every trihe,
and as looked upon her face, once so
pleasant in its expression and saw the pre-
mature lines of care, or more properly
fretfulness, | thought preserve me from
ever being a s. model housekeeper.'


Come now, Hattie" said she, the third
day after my arrival, "let US sit down and
have a pleasant chat about old times
Everything has seemed to 90 wrong since
you came, and | fear your visit has not
been thus far over. comfortable"


| onged to say what thought, but
could not gather courage.


First tell ME about the Card girls,
said she, the two who are married, and
little Amy, the prettiest Of them all who
died the day her intended came home from
a four years voyage. | think it was SO
hard"


1t was sad story. indeed, and 1 could
not often think of it without shedding
tears. In compliance with her request
commenced relating to her all the items |
had treasured in my mind of our mutual
friend, Amy Card.


Wait a minute" she said in the midst
of my first sentence, q" the wind has turned
one of the swivels of the outer blind"


So | waited until the inner blinds were
drawn, the window raised, and the outer
one closed 1t was quite lengthy pIo-
cess but at last it was ended, and once
more [ commenced my story. But no more
than ten minutes had elapsed before she
said -


. / am sorry to disturb you again, but l
see roll Of lint under the piano, and |
cannot place my mind upon anything as
long as there is any dirt about me-" so up
she jumped and went to the piano, stopped
down, and then returned with a bit of lint
about the size of a three cent bit, saying,
80 Such carclessness in help is unbearabe.
| shall yet have to do everything myself. ="


[ could not forbear smiling, though
heartily vexed at the interruption. How
ever | made the third attempt, and had
pursued my narrative for nearly half an
hour Just as | was in the midst of telling
her OF Amy's bridal, Of the return of her
lover, and that the white satin dress which
was to have adorned the sweet fair bride,
had instead been worn for her coffin robe,
my friends mind and eyes began to wander
about the room, and starring up she ex-
claimed -


j cannot stand it another moment,
Hattie, for there is fly. Doubtless it
came in when [ opened the windows 10
arrange the blind.


was indignant How the little lady
flew around and what chase that fly led
her, now lighting on the top of picture
frame, then on the mirror, then ascending
the top OF the wall. Mrs. Stanley was
really getting quite vexed, as she stood
there on tiptoe, vainly trying to reach her
tormenter with the feather duster which
, she had seized for a weapon. | was re
minded of the fable of the mouse and the
lion


Hattie" she said, "can you not help
me little? Just take your handkerchief
and head it, and when once | can drive it
into the hall, shall have no trouble in
getting it out Of the door"


Thus called to the rescue, had nothing
to do but enlist, and with our united efforts
it was driven into the hall, and the inner
door closed, but in opening the outer door
to eject it into the street, ere this feat
could be performed, several more of its
boon companions entered, and now the
. fly hunt " was commenced with fresh Wig
or. Up stairs and down stairs flew my
little hostess, hither and yon, and at last
was stationed as a sentinel on the upper
landing to prevent any Of the "rebels -
choosing the long passage way beyond for
their g headquarters" and finally the
enemy was vanquished, the insurrection
queled, but had lost the thread of my
story, and think Mrs. Stanley had, for
she said -


Let me see, Hattie, of what were we
speaking when that disgraceful fly came to
disturb our comfort ?"


40, nothing of any Importance, was