Litchfield enquirer., 1837-03-16
THREE WAYS OF LIVING

l come necessary, economy must be rractised somewhere to bring out the year. This, of course, fell upon the interior. Jane had been in the habit ofsuperintending her own affairs, and seeing that nothing was wasted and nothing used superhuously. This Sys- tenn, while it extended to each and to all, was cheerfnIIy received. But when the domes,ics found that the luxuries of the kitchen were not proportonate to the par Tor, they told her she might look out for other hel D. Those mistresses of families who have ever experienced the harrassing labor of keeping up ShOacy appearance in the parlor, with strict economy in the kitcll- en, will sympathizc with poor Jane in her atduous task. They will understand with what reluctance she entered its precincts, and how often she was driven from it by the supercilious looks of the lady who ruled thc roast. Allthese difficulties she encoun- tered and sometimes looked back, with a sigh, to her first experiment in house-keep- ing, when with her woman of all works, aud Martha's little girl, every thing went smoothly on, in harmony and confidence. But this was trle, compared to the appa. rent change in her husbands temper.- From frank-hearted, open confidence in all around him he began to be tenacious of ci- vility ;-thought such an one looked coldly it must be because they had not returned their call, or some other reason as import ant. Then he sometimes repeated his jests, which Jane felt were sarcasnls.
 How long it is, said Jane one morning, since uncle Joshua has been here ?
 Il suppose,' said Frank, he feels an awkwardness on account of our different rank in life.'
 o, no, that is wholly unlike him. Sup pose we send and ask him to dine to-day?' | Not to-day. I have invited Professor R. and Dr.. B. You know they are both intellectual men: |: he would not enjoy his dinner.'
 Besides,' said Jane, when he comes we must let all the children dine at the ta- ble. We will ask him to- morrow, and ap- point dinner at two.'
 With all my heart said Frank, as he went out to pay visit to the market, fol- lowed by his servant with the market bask- ct.
 Jane began her preparations for dinner. Her constant change of servants, and iD- creasing trouble with them, often made this l of glass and china and, assisted by her chamber-maid, began to lay the table, They had got it nearly completed, with its plates, wine glasses, and tun,blers, all in a row, when she was alarmed by a loud ring at the door. The chamber-maid was des- patched, with strict injunctions to let no- body in, but say she was not at hOmc.- There was evidently barley, and the step of person was heard approaching. With a sudden feeling of modification at being caught, Jane rushed into the closet and clo- sed the door. The sound of uncle Josh- ua's voice struck her ear as he entered.
 Are you sure she is not at home ? said he to the girl.
 %, yes sir, quite sure. saw her put on her things and go out
 How long has she been gone!'
 Full an hour,' said the girl. who, as these kind of people often do, over.acted her part
 'Then probably she will be back soon, and l will wait for her.
 o, no, sir, she said she would not be back till near dinner time.'
 Why, you look as if you were going to have company of aldermen 10 dine.'
 The girl answered in simpering tone, No, sir, only two or three friends
 Jane, during this conversation, felt con- stcrnalion that disabled her from acting ju- diciously, which would have been to have come out from her hiding place, and tell the simple truth. But she knew her uncls's straight forward mind, and she was sure he would not make the distinction which cus- tom and fashion warrant, of not at hon.e, as meaning engaged. The girl, too, had so positively implicated her in taisehood ; had shown so completely that she under stood no qualification, that Jane felt the u'- most horror at being detected. She actu- ally looked out of the window, to see fl there was no possible chance of escape.- Tn the mean time. uncle Joshua laid down his hat and cane, seated himself by the open window, and asked for glass of water.
 Jane at length came to the conclusion that she had better remain perfectly quiet, that his calls were never very long, and she would send for him next day, aud should escape all unpleasant feeling. To her dis- may, however, she presently heard him call for the morning paper. She knew he was one of those invetera,s newspaper readers that go through the whole, aud she tried to be resigned to at least an hours imprison- ment. Alas! what situation! The din- ner at a stand. the marketing would be back. and ducks and geese in waiting At length, however, uncle Joshua got to the end of the everlasting newspaper; and as he folded it up, told the girl who had enter- ed the room every five minutes. to say to