The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-11-10
4 Washing Day Experience.

as ohi"ouS washing uay lnuIcahons met my
eyes, 'why don't you put out the washing :?
Pm sure it would be great deal BETTER
DO you know what it would cost 2 re.
turned my wife, a little sharply, for il being
Monday, the influence Of the day was AREA.
dy beginning TO be felt.
81 don't know exactly how much il would
cost replied, 'but do know that it would
be great saving
a saving Of what?'
'Of comfort, if of nothing elie.'
Dear bought comfort you wSnd soon find
slow much does the washing cost now 9
inquired.
'sixty-two and a half cents was answer
ed.
SIS that ALP
'Yes. That is all pay Hester for days
work, and She does the whole Of il in day
But you forget that yon have to board
her. said l.
And what is that?' returned my wife.
'llerb costs nothing. One mouth more
in the family is not fcli.'
Il am not so sure Of that. Didn't yon tell
me, tins morning, to get a pound oI two more
meat for dinner, as the washerwoman was
hcre'
'lou don't suppose she will eattwo pounds
OF meat for duHerp said my wife.
'ieS, but am not done yet. There are
few more items TO add. There i. fire.
soap, starch and indigo. Then comes the
wear and tear OF tubs, washing boards
clothes lines and pins 80 say nothing Of tenn
per and breakage, conscqucntupon cook and
chambermaid's ill-temper.'
'BTeakase! It's preposterousn said my
wife.
Not at all. Don't you remember when
Nancy slipped on the stairs where one Of
the children ha,! lain piece Of the Washer
woman's soap, and Drune five dollars worth
OF things AT one &qGShp
'lon might talk that at me until dooms-
day, and wouldn't -
A lond crash Of broken dishes came up
from the kitchen at this instant.
'Gracicusn exclaimed my wife. 'What
is 'hatn and she left my side in 4 twinknG,
TO investigate the cause aud learn the ex-
tent Of this new crockery disaster. did
not wait to ascertain the result; but decam-
ped for my place of business, fondly hoping
that what had said, enforced so timely by
serious washing day breakage, would
have the desired effect.
at dinner time ! went home in that de-
ligh,lul state of doubt as TO the reccp,ion |
should meet. which most men feel on like
occasions. The first sound that salu,ed nv
ear as | entered, was the CRYING Of one Of
the children; and instead of that savOry
odor Of dinner SO grateful to n hungry man,
snuiied upa humid atmosphere, loaded al
most 10 sul'"cation with the vapor Of soap
and lev. Ip,s,rd the di,inc room. but the
table was moi >ct. veutuo,nto INV wiCe's
room; as I oneucd the door was erected
with the exclamation
.sThcrcl knew il would be 50, don't
believe Hannah has mn, , ro,o,o ON IN cock
vet. althourh | sont her ,ynr1 an bour AGO
that il was time tn see about dinner. Dut
she has been as cross os she could be the
morning.
sShe's been helninc wash. sunpose ,
said I.
.Ofcoursc Sbcbas. She alwovs does so.
BIT IFS aS,a>ytn sion and got dinner NJ nuc
time as another. never saw such crea.
lures. Ivi>h Won would RING that hell,
Ibid as desired. TWAS ans wered by the
cha,nbe,noid.
60 down and see what under the sun
keeps Hannah back with her dinner
The chanbermaid retired. end in little
while came back with word tha,the fire had
all gone out. and that Hannah was lust ma.
king it IN again.
ooh dearr said !. involuntarily, drawing
ou, my watch ord inoLi,ro, ,imo. TX
nearly half mast two. now. and I have an
engagement, at quarter past three. lean.
not possibly wait.
III shall be ready in little while,' said
nv wife, looking distressed. sPll 60 down
and see TO il. To think that girl would do
so. But i, always so on washing days
Nothing goes right. ard there is 40 comfort
in thc house
To that sentiment could have uttered
an audible .amcn.' But deemed il pru.
dent. lust nj tina, particular juncturr. TO Oh.
serve perfect silence.
Sooner than cxucctcd the hell rang. and
went down To the dining-rnom. | found
my wife awaiting me thetab with flush.
ed and heated cout,cnance. and many cvi.
drnrcs of worry and excitement. She had
cleared Hannah ON, of the kitchen. set the
fire n going with her own hands. md cook
ed the dinner. But she coulIn',ca, emou,h.
iul. aud my annette was. by ,l,i, time. among
the things tha, were. Ihclp,dihc children,
and offered ,o helm nv wife. I'm, >h, dcclin.
cd everything. After forcing n few mouth.
falls down nv throat. | le(tth, table and my