The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-20
Fer the National Era.
LIFE ON PRAIRIE DE Ia FLEUR. No. s.
BY MARY IRVING.
{" HELP


Il Chapter for the sympathizing only.
hOmely heading, to be sure; but as sure am
that it will strike home to the hearts Of some
Of my readers and as for the others, why, they
have taken the hint already, and turned to more
dignifed column.
This "sum of all indoor tribulation in one
word,n as | once heard an impatient housewife
style it, is not limited to our prairie borders,
surely Older and ADLER pens than mine have
often portrayed, most graphically and amusingly,
the Domestic troubles and trials Of various corners
Of the civilized world. But so important fea-
ture ought not to be left unsketched, in por.
trait of Life on Prairie de la Fleur.
! can give it no more refined name for SER
rads are q commodity as little known here as
SLAVES in Yankee land. All are equal in name
and rank, as well as in constitutional rights and
you. brother or sister of Admins n4-~,,y -
ders flor "a considerstion'1 his or her help to
your necessity, must be sharer in all the rights
and privileges you could accord to the most ex-
allied of humanity.
"Plase mem, and wouldn't We be wanting to
hire ladlp inquired wild-eyed Irish fellow
one evening, at the door of the domicil called
my home for season.
Now, what with house-building, haying, and
harvesting, any number of hands could be made
serviceable at that juncture; and my hostess in
yited Paddy into kitchen quarters. He tossed
curious glances about him, and entertained the
girls with his rich brogue, till the master of the
house returned.
Shure it's from County Cork, sur, wild me
feyther and the six childer six months agone this
blessed Sunday that's now past"
But how came you to leave your family ?"
"Och' he shrugged his shoulders, and stopped
to take fresh spoonful of mush and milk me
mither- rist her sowl out of purgstory! whit
of in the fever, and me stip-mither was the div
IFS own cht to me go | cen made clean run
away Of it!n
No very favorable recommendation, to be sure,
but we agreed to keep Pat few days on trial.
The next day he was sent into the clearing lot
with the hands and demeaned himself quite in
dustriously during the morning hours. But with
the shadows Of sunset, Paddy presented his phiz
again at car entrance-way, axe over shoulder, and
red flannel sleeves rolled above his elbows.
Phase yer honor" he plead, twitching his hal
where there had been brim, and making ar
awkward serape with his bare foot, Z" it's sthrrin
up country wod be, and be yer lave -
What, Pat, don't you find your work easy
enough 2"
" Asy for the like of SIGH an one as takes Il
il !" answered Pat with deprecating shrug
the shoulders Our ragged recruit was discharged
with hearty laugh at his expense.
Paddy's more profitable successor bore tn
name Of Dominic, though no saint was he. II
was also from "swate Ireland,o that keeps gree
with the tears of its oppressed and the bones q
its dying children. He was thrifty Romans,
who squandered half his wages regularly in
spree every Sunday night, after having obtaine
ao'olutiOn from the priest in the nearest vilap,
AZ the confessional; and spurned every morsel {
meat on Friday, to keep the balance of hi
backslidings
lie remained very quietly for several month";
"heh some trifing disagreement with his Wells
of Dutch co-iaborers awoke in his head the roy
'ug propensity Of his race, and he too took leav
Of absence.
Nuite number Of actors from various cline
passed over the stage of domestic affairs-som,
'u''s nara dozen or more at time, sometime
alone In his glory.p One surly Scotchmel
VINO abseonded because "he wasn't trated like
S'''eaN"'-a Welshman, whose pate was as THO
tue stubby locks that covered ia bevy
b'0l'natured liollsnders,. who were ready 70
Try emergency, and right in almost none-sn
turn
- '" dwellipg was at quite little distance frol
'Prhg, whose pure bright water gushed u
az our daily wants and in want Of .
i'euuet to bring il to us, We sometimes mad
VI The hands in their leisure moments. On
ming, our ever-helpful Hans Korner, (no rel'
ed the illustrious German poet, be it hoped
ing hiied the reservoir for use during the da.
n. 'eaning NV upon fowling piece, watchin
hurried tide Of breakfast operations
=. Here, my good fellow cried one Of the wOrl
,as 'ee' take this pan of potatoes to wash
' the water from there pointing TO the rese
Nv. Going back in moment, she found Han
III. honest stupidity, leaning over the edge
-, huge tub, a. though he were about to make
un.ary Immersion Of himself
"h" is the matter novp she exclaimed