The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-02-16
5flefte0.
ONLY TWO OF US.
BY MRS. N. 4. ROBINSON.


GIVE made an engagement for 20,
to spend a day out, this week." observed
Squire Crosby, as his wife was placing
dinner on the table.
Have you' Pm sorry, for I feal
shall be too busy to fulfil it," she re
joined, in slight tone of regret.
BUSY about what !" testify ex
claimed the speaker. ~ would re
spectfully inquire, for somewhat les
than the hundreth time, when you mus
really suffer for want OF exercise"
~ do, undoubtedly" ,"said Mrs. Cros
by, drily
1t can't be otherwise" continued
the squire, decidedly, "It is a com
paratively idle life, for q woman to at
tend to few household cares"
"a few household cares %
Yes, my dear Mrs. Crosby, and tn.
washing put out into the bargain. Wha,
q laborious business Squire Crosby
looked very wise, and spoke with sligh,
degree of irony.
"You talk like one who is acquaint-
ed with his subject; but at the same
time, l am willing to allow that you
know rs much about it as the generality
Of men; and that can't be construed
into compliment to the sex by any
means"
But isn't the fact self. evident one,
Mrs. Crosby' Haven't eyes, and
can't l see-observe-look about me
comprehend ?" demanded the squire.
"You might, without doubt; but
whether you do, is another thing" re-
Joined his wife. "Be that as it may,
however, l am satisfied that can find
enough to do to keep me out of idle
ness"
"When there's only two of us I"
"Only two Of US, added Mrs. Cros-
by, quietly; " for it is just as necessary
that two should eat as four"
"Well, it certainly must be a great
undertaking to cook little food, wash
g few dishes, aud lay the table three
times day! Why, l could accom-.
plish the whole in less than two hours !"
" Those duties you have named do
not comprise the whole of housekeeping,
Mr.. Crosby"
Z" Perhaps not; / shouldn't mind
throwing in little busting and sweeping
once in while. But it certainly ap-
pears laughable to hear woman com
plain Of the work, when there's only two
in the family. l verify believe it's no.
thing but habit" quoth the squire, with
becoming gravity.
Suppose you try it for one day ?"
proposed Mrs. Crosby, with like serious
ness. "I'll go to the Office aud do your
work, and you can remain at home and
do mine"
"It's rather novel proposition, and
l don't at this time, call to mind any
celebrated men who did house work. l
haven't the least objection to trying it,
Notwithstanding, and presume it will be
the easiest days work | shall have this
year." rejoined the husband.
Both being agreed, the next day was
selected for the exchange of employ
ments. A quiet smile lurkcd about
Mrs. Crosby's mouth, and the squire
evidently thought it fine joke; one
which would afford him large fund Of
merriment, and be the means of prov
ing to bis wifc that heusework was no
thing more than pleasant amusement.
"Shc, deluded woman, thought her
time was fully occupied in keeping o.
good sized house tidy, and in devising|
new means of gratifying the palate Of
the squire who, strapge to say, liked
good food, and an abundance of it. He
seemed to think that this jumped upon
the table ready cooked, and that Mrs.
Crosby Tor some other pcrson) had but
to utter few magical words, and every
thing was done. But 10 hear these
triAing duties termed onerous, when
there was only two Of them" 10 look