Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1850-11-21

1t was " washing days" that day of all
days in the week most dreaded by house
keepers. We had poor breakfast, of
course. Cook had to help with the
washing, and, as washing was The impor-
tant thing for the day, everything else
was doomed to suffer. The wash-kettle
was to her of greater moment than the
tea-kettle or cofiee-pot and the boiling
of wash water first in consideration,
compared with broiling the steak.
The breakfast bell rang nearly half an
hour later than usual. AS entered the
dining-room, | saw that nearly every
thing was in disorder, and that the ia
BILE was little over half set. Scarcely
had | taken my seat, ere the bell was in
my hand.
"There's no sugar on the table, Kit
ty."
Those were my words, as the girl en-
tered, in obedience 10 my summons.
"Oh, l forgot" she CALCULATED, and
hurriedly supplied the deficiency.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling, went my bell, ere
she DaQ TedcHeu the kitciitH.
eThere's no knife. and fork for the
steak" said /, as Kitty re-appeared.
The knife and fork were furnished,
but not with very amiable grace.
"What's the matter with this cofee?"
asked Mr.. Smith, after slipping spoon
full or two. ats got queer TASTE"
I'm sure | don't know
1t was plain that was going to have
another trying day; and began to feel
worried. My reply was not, therefore,
made in a very composed voice.
Mr.. Smith continued TO sip his coffee
with spoon, and TO taste the liquid
doubtingly. At last, he pushed his cup
from him, saying
ats no use-I can't drink that. !
wish you would just taste it. do be-
lieve Kitty has dropped a piece of soap
into that coifee-pot."
BY this time had turned out cup of
the fluid for myself, and proceeded to
try its quality. 1t certainly had queer
taste; but as to the substance to which
ii was indebted for its peculiar quality,
[ was in total ignorance. My husband
insisted that it was soap. | thought diff
ferently, but we made no argument on
the subject.
The steak was found, ON trial, 10. be
burned SO badly that it was not fit TO be
eaten. And my husband had TO make
his meal of bread and butter and cold wa
ter. AS for myself, this spelling of our
breakfast for no good reason, completely
destroyed both my appetite and my tenn
per.
You'd better get your dinner at an
eating house, Mr.. Smith," said |, as he
arose from the table. Its washing
day, and we shall have nothing comfort
able"
Things will be no more comfortable
for you than for me-" was kindly re-
piled by my husband.
awe shall only have picked up din
ner," said j.
81 like good picked-up dinner" an
swered Mr.. Smith. There is some
thing so out of the ordinary routine of
ribs, loins and misunderstanding so
comfortable and independent about it,
No, you cannot eat your picked-up din
rser alone"
drop the word good from your des-
cription, and the picked-up dinner will
be altogether another affair."" said L.
+" No, don't come home to-day, if you
please; for everything promises TO be
most uncomfortable. Get yourself a
good dinner at an eating house, and leave
me 10 go through the day as well as ]
can"
care you really in earnest?" said my
husband, seriously.
al certainly am" was my reply
q Entirely in earnest. So, just oblige
me BY not coming home TO dinner"
/ Mr.. Smith promised and there was
so much off my mind. / could not let
him come home without seeing that he
had a good dinner. But, almost any,
thing would do for me and the children.