Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-04-22
/" Only Two of U.s."
STORY FOR GPUMBLING HUSBANDS.
ny MRS. NJ. T., ROBINSON.

ny MRS. N. e. ROBINSON.
I've made an engagement for tou |,
spend day out, this k," observe
Squire Crosby, as his wife was placin
dinner upon the table.
''Iiave you? I'm sorry. for fear
shall be too busy 10 fulfil it, she re
joined, in slight tone Of regret
Busy about what !" testify csclsitn
ed The speaker. 81 would respectfulI,
inrquire. for somew ha, less tnan the hur
ded,h time, what you can possibly lind
to de? IL seems to me that you mus,
really suffer for want Of exercise"
o do. undoubtedly" said Mrs Crosby
drily. II
II, can't be Otherwise" con,invEi
;he Squire, decidedly. at is a COM
atively idle life for woman to a,teNd
to few household cares"
a few household cares!'
Eyes, my dear Mrs Crosbr. and lh,
washing put ou. into the bargain.--
What laborious busine.s!" Squire
Crosby looked vcr: wise. and spoke
with slighl degree Of irony.
"You talk like one who is acquainted
with his subjecl; but at The same time,
am willing TO allow that you know as
much about il as the generalilv o: mem;
ani that can, be construed into com
pliment 10 The ses Gy any meuhs..'
''Bul isn't the lact sell-evident
one. Mrs. Crosby! Havm't | eyes. and
cant | see-obscrvc look about me :.
~ nm, rpt 4 do IaI h.
"You might, without doubt; but
whether yor do is another thing" re-
joined his wife. "Be that as il NAV,
however, | am satisfied that can Fl nd
enough to do to keep me out Uf l,le
ness"
when there's only two OF us!''
"'Only two Of u.s., added Mrs. Cros-
quietly; ''for i, is just as necessary
byat two should eat as FOUR
tn" We'll, ii certainly must be great
undertaking to cook little food, wash
few dishes and lay the table three
times day! Why could accom- plish
the whole in less than two hours"
"Tho.e duties you have just named
do no. comprise the whole of house,
keeping. Mr.. Crosby"
perhaps not; shouldn't mind throw
ng in little dusting and sweeping.
ION in while. But it cer'ainly ap-
pears langha5le 10 hear woman com.
plain Of The work, hen there's only two
in the family. verify believe i.'s
nothing bu, habit quo,h the Squire,
with becoming CAVITY.
Suppose you try it for one day, :"
proposed Mrs CIosby, with like serious
ness. eli Sc 70 the Office and do your
work aud you can remain at home and
do mine"
Its ra her a novel proposition. and
don I a: ibis time recall TO mind any
celebrated men who did housework. /
havn't the least objection TO trying il.
notwithstanding. and presume ii will
be he easiest days work shall have
this year" teplied he.
Both being agreed. The next. day was
selected Ior the exchange of employ.
menls. A quiet smile iurked about Mrs.
Crosby's mouth. and the Squire cv ident-
ly thought it fne joke; one which
would Afford him large fund of merri>
n.ent, and De the means Of proving 10
his wife that housework was no hing
more than pleasant alnnse ntent.
She, deluded woman, thought her
time was fully occupied in keeping
good sized h"use tidy, ard in de,ising
new means Of gratifying the palate OF
the Squire who, strange 20 say, liked
good food. and an abund, d,nce Of it. lie
seemed 10 'hiLk that this jumped upon
the table ready cooked, and that Mrs.
Crosby. Cor some other person. had bu,
10 utter a few magical words. and every
thing was done. But to hear thes. tri-
fling duties termed onerous, When
there was only two Of them 10 look
after. seemed great absurtity to Squire
Crosby. and he inwardly resolved TO
write an article On the subject, and lie,
the sterncr sex know how mach they
were imposed upon.
While refecliog upon this laudablc
Mrs. Crosby had occupi-
ed herself in jotting down list of the
duties which demanded attention the
next morning. This she folded, and
quietly handed to her husband, request
Ing HIM to make ont q similar paper.
that no nismana. emen, might ensue.
. The lis, is no longer thaG usual"
said the lady, smiling at the earnestness
with which he surveyed it. II go
through with the same performance ev.
cry day. III is necessary, fer they can
not be omitted. But don't be frigh,en-
ed you can take your own time" she
added in banterins tone
FeigniDg the Utmost Indifference 10
the results, he remarked tha, he should
probably make quick work Of il. aud
placing the paper in his pocket, rstura.
ed 10 the office.
Th: liege lord Of Mrs. Crosby prac-
ticed Jaw in suburban town, and had
acquired considerable property by The
same. His wife had Independence enough
to do her own work. but could not he'll p
thai she deserved some credit
for SO doing She had no particular de
sire 10 be praised; = justice where JUS
tice is DUE" was her motto; and our
readers will perhaps coincide with her
in the belief that il was rather ha rd TO
v ork busily the whole morning. and
then be told "thst she had done nothing.
comparatively" 1t was not encourag
ing. to say the least. and she awaited
The experiment of the nex: day with
great interest