Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-09-09
Trials of a Housekeeper.
by MISS BEECIIER.

have tale of very homely grievances TO
present, but such as they are, many a heart
wIll feel them too heavy--ihe trials Of a
hOusekeeper!
"Poh !" says one Of The lords Of creation
taking his segar out of his mouth and twirling
II between his fingers, ''what a fuss these
women do make Of this simple matter Of man
aging family ] can't see for my life, ms
there IS anything so extraordinary to be done
~ this matter of housekeeping-only three
meals day TO be got and cleared Of, and it
really seems to take up the whole time Of
their minds from morning ill night could
keep house without such furry, know"
Now, prlthee, good brother, listen TO nv
story, aud see how much you know about il.
j came to this enlightened west about wear
since, and was duly established IN comfort.
able country residence within q mile and a
hall oi the city, mud there commenced the
enjoyment of domestic felicity. had been
married about three months, and had been
previously IN love in the most approved aud
romantic ay.wiih all the proprieties of moon
light walks, ,serenades, scnlime entail billet t. doux,
aud everlasting attachment
After having been allowed, as said, about
three months TO get over this sort OF things,
aud to prcpure for realities, ! was located for
ll'c, as aforesaid. My family consisted OF
myself aud husband. female friend as Wis
iior, aud two brothers Of my good man, who
were engaged with him in business
pass over the two or three first DAYS spe nj
IN TINT process OF hammcring boxes, breaking
crock'ry, Knocking things down and picking
them up again, commonly called getting to
housekeeping. As usual, carpets were sew
ing and stretching. laid down and taken up
a.
transformed. and CONFIRMED till al Inst order
began TO appear. But now came up the great
point ot all. During our confusion we had
cooked aud eaten our meals in very miscel.
laneous and pastoral manner, eating now
from the top of barrel, aud now from fire.
board laid on two chairs, and drinking, some
from tca-cups and sumc from sauccrs, and
some from tuInblers, and some from pitcher
large enough TO be drowned in; and sleeping
some on sofas, and sumo on struggling beds
aud mattresses, thrown down here and there,
wherever there was room. Al these pleasant
boi6aIlilcs we're now ut an end; the house vas
~ order-the dishes put in their places
ibree regular meals were to be administered
IN one day, al IN an orderly, civilized form
beds 10 DC made; rooms swept and busted =
dishes washed KNIVES secured, and all the
et cetera TO be attended 10. Now for getting
help ~ Mrs. Trollope says; aud where and
how are we 10 get it2 we knew very few
p"rsoDs ~ the clly and how were we to &C.
r"mplish the matter? Al length the 'bouse
Of employment was mentioned and my hus
hand was despatched ihther regularly every
day for a week, while I. 10 the meantime was
very near despatched by the abundance OF
work NJ home.
Al length. one evening, as was sitting
completely exhausted. thinking Of resorting
TO the last IomnInc cxpodieDt for supporting
hfc. VIZ; good iit of crying, my husband
made bis appearance with a triumphant mir ai
tile door-"Thore. Margaret II have got
yUu ronplc nj last a cook and a chamber.
maid !"--so saying he hourished opei the
door. aud gave view 10 the picture oi a little.
dry. -uuiTy l"ukiug old woman, and q great
staring Dutch girl. ~ n green bonnet aud red
rbhun; mpulh wide open. and hands aud feet
that would brve made Greek scplptor open
hi~ mnuih io.. I addressed forthwith few
wotds Of encouragement lo each Of this cul