Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-29

was mere !!
You don't suppose she will eat two
pounds of meat for dinner' said my vile.
yes, but am not done yet. There are
few more. items to add. There is fire.
soap, starch, and indigo. Then comes The
wear and tear of tubs, washing boards,
clothes-Iines. and pins, to say nothing of
temper and breakage, consequent upon
the cook and Ghambermaid's i'll temper
'Braakage! It's preposterous D.! said my
wife.
Not at all. Don't you remember when
Nancy slipped on the stairs where one OF
the children had lain piece Of the wash
erwoman's soap, and broke five dollars
worth of things at one smash g
You might talk that at me until dooms-
day, and / wouldn't -
A loud crash of broken dishes came up
from the kitchen at this instant.
.Gracious!' exclaimed my wife. What
is that 2 and she left my side in twink
ling, to investigate the cause and learn the
extent of this new crockery disaster. l
did not wait to ascertain the result; but de-
ca nped for my place of business, fondly
hoping that what l had said. enforced SO
timely by serious washing-day breakage.
would have the desired effect.
AT dinner time [ went home in that de-
lightful state of doubt as to the reception
should meet, which most men feel on like
occasions. The first sound that saluted
my ear as entered, was the crying Of one
of the children and instead Of that savO-
ry odor of dinner SO grateful TO hungry
man, snuffed up humid atmosphere,
loaded almost to sufocation with the va
por of soap and ley. Ipassed the dining
room, but the table was not set. went.up
into my wile's room, and as opened the
door was greeted with the exclamation
There knew it would be so can't
believe Hannah has put potato on to
cook vet, although | sent her word an hour
ago that it was time to see about dinner.
But she has been as cross as she could be
all the morning.
'She's been helping wash, suppose,
said |.
'Of course she has. She always does
so, But It's easy to stop and get din
ner at one time as another. | never saw
such creatures. l wish you would ring
that bell
l did as desired. 1t was answered by
the chambermaid.
Go down and see what under tie sur
keeps Hannah back with her dinner
The chambermaid retired, and IN a little
while came back with word that the fire
had all gone out, and that Hannah was
just making it up again.
'Oh dear 2 said |, ihvoluntarily draw
ing out my watch, and looking at the time
It's nearly half past two now and | have
an engagement at quarter past three.
cannot possibly wait
1t shall be ready in little WHILE saie
my wife, looking distressed. III 60 dowr
and see to it. To think that girl would d,
so. But it is always so on washing days
Nothing goes right, and there is no com
fort in the house.
To that sentiment could have uttered
an audible amen
But deemed it prudent, just at tia
particular junclure, TO observe perfect 81
lence.
Sooner than I expected, the bell rang
; and | went down to the dining room.
found my wife awaiting me at the table
, with flushed and heated Countenance, AM
many evidences Of worry and excitement
She had cleared Hannah out of the kitch
en-, set the fire going with her own hands
, and cooked the dinner. But she couldn'
, eat mouthful, and my appetite was, b.
this time, among the things that were.
{ helped the children and offered to help m,
| wife, but she declined everything. Ate
forcing lew mouthfuIs down my throa
left the table and my unhappy family
and retired to my place ofbusiness, feeln
! in no pleasant mood myself
'And all this is TO be borne and suffere
n once week. for the meagre saving {
, twenty Or thirty cents-perhaps nothing
: | must use my veto power-must brn
'bto NAStNioN NY lNoNlHCd
: will do it. Suppose it cost dollar wee
more to put out the washing, what Of that
=, Five dollars wouldn't pay for having tn
nuisance retained in the house.
i On the following morning | had occs
i sion to 60 into the cellar to make up fir
in the furnace. gentle tap .oosened tn
: hoop on a washing tub, and | had choic
r lot Of kindling.' | was exceedingly Ill
Y eral in lis use, consuming every vestige
On the next morning, another tub perform
( ed the same important service, and on tn;
4 which succeeded [ split up the washing
V board, and gave six dozen clothes-pin
and couple of cIothes-Iines, to the d.
st vouring flames.
On Saturday, | informed my wife
n what had done. You may suppose til
1t she lifted her eyes and grew pale with a
IS constituent. But seeing me so earnest
bout the matter, she made but little opp
;. silion, and on Monday l had the supreu
J. delight of seeing all things in order, ar
Is sitting down to a comfortable breaklas