The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-07-20

tue paper IN MS pocket, returned TO th
office.
The liege lord of Mrs. Crosby practise
law in suburban town, and had acquir
ed considerable property by the same
His wife had independence enough to d
her own housework, but could not he'll
that she deserved some credit for so doing
She had no particular desire to be praised
/ Justice where justice is due, was her mot
to; and our readers will perhaps coincide
with her belief that it was rather hard t
work busily a whole morning, and ther
/ be told that she had done nothing com
paratively.' 1t was not encouraging t.
say the least, and she awaited the expert
ment Of the next day with much interest
| Morning came, and the squire aroused
his wife, and informed her in significant
tone that it was quite time to dress and
make fire. Mrs. Crosby did not wai
for a second bidding, but remarked, as
she left the chamber, that he might put
himself in readiness to see about break
fast
Our heroine had taken the precaution
the night previous to prepare the kind
Engs, and in short time had a brisk fire
She allowed herself to do just what her
husband had been in the habit of doing,
and no more. He usually left the coal
dust and cinders for her to sift and clear
away, as well as the remnants of wood and
shavings to pick up; and she didn't feel
inclined to limit his privileges at this time.
The dining table stood in the middle of
the room, also covered with books, pa
pers, writing materials and other articles
used the evening before. These she did
not molest, and without pulling up the
shades, or putting back the chairs, she
took newspaper and began to read.
The squire had evidently completed his
toilet quicker than common, but it was
nevertheless nearly an hour before he
made his appearance. 1t was something
novel to see his wife reading before break
fast, and he could not help smiling to wit
ness her perfect sang t1oid.
I've been up long time, and renew
ed the fire twice, Mr.. Crosby she rem ark
ed, without looking up.
This was the squire's favorite saluta-
tiOn when his wife happened to take an
extra nap of five minutes.
The gentleman made no reply, for he
understood what the remark meant with
out the aid Of an interpreter. He pro-
cceded to business with great alacrity,
piling the books and papers upon chairs,
and nearly spilling some oil, by carrying
a lamp the wrong way; and by allowing
the kettle to boil over, some FIVE minutes
before he got ready to take it out, be sue
ceeded in getting the cloth laid, though
in rather an awkward manner.
4 think l should relish piece of beef
steak, Mr.. Crosby remarked the lady
in the rocking-chair.
'Ab, then you shall have it, remarked
the house keeper of the day, patronizing-
ly as he busted himslf with napkins, cups,
saucers, plates, knives, forks, etc. He
tried to recollect how Mrs, Crosby arran-
ged them, but in spite of all his attempts
be could make no application to that la
dy for advice; as she apparently was alb
sorbed in her reading.
Adjourning to the kitchen. the squire
attended the making of delicious cup
Of Coffee and had long struggle with
beefsteak, which refused to broil to his
When returning to the din
ng room, after long absence, looking
heated and impatient, Mrs. Crosby re-
marked, consulting her watch, that he
had been absent long enough to make a
Deefsteak'
The observation the squire remember
I'd to have heard before, but did not make
It apparent At length the coffee and
neat were brought in, and all things
we're pronounced ready by the officiating
master of ceremonies.
Mrs. Crosby seated herself and began
10 carve; the squire took his place at the
bead of the table, and proceeded to pour
out the coffee.
The bread, Mr.. Crosby suggested the
Iady,
Bless me, I forgot itp he exclaimed,
dropping the coffee pot, and jumping up
so hastily that he came very near over
turning the table.
The bread was soon procured, cut in
slices varying in thickness from wafer
TO junk of four inches.
'Tbe butter, Mr.. Crosby suggested
bis companion, when he was again fairly
seated.
. declare!-what a poor memory I.
have got And setting down the cup
which he had taken up the second time,
be started for the missing article. Plac-
ng it in triumph by the side of his wife's
plate, he renewed his attempts at coffee
pouring, and this time was successful; but
i must be confessed that he eyed the
dark looking beverage with some uncer-
sainty as be passed it across the table.
Muddy coffee again, Mr.. Crosby' abb
ruptly said tho lady.
The squire hadn't word of reply,
Very smoky beefsteak my dear! what
have you done to it' she continued, push
ing large piece of the obnoxious article
On one side of her plate. you must be
extremely careless, or such things couldn't
happen so often as they do!
What q woman this is to remember, to
of