The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-07-25

| "hat iucky escape, said our friend,
10 himself, an hour afterwards, as he was
vending his way toward Hettie Burke's.
itsa good thing for me that l sounded
her upon house keeping before proposed
otherwise l might have got myself into a
pretty fix. What figure should cut
with such wife; why, 1 should be Obliged
to turn cook and washwoman myself for
| couldn't afford, in my present circum.
stances, to hire all my work done. |
should have to stay at home and wash
Monday, iron Tuesday, perhaps, and bake
Saturday, leaving only three days out Of
the seven to attend to my own business.
What r fix!-Beautiful time I sbould
have; my business would be neglected,
and should be poorer than ever: and
even IT could afford TO hire housekeep.
er, it wouldn't better the case much. a. I
should have to give her directions and see
that things were done properly, for Jose.
phine IS very far above such detestable
matters as she calls them. A man that's
going to have such wife ought to know
1t in season TO get initiated into household
mysteries before marriage. Such Miss
may do very well for a rich man, but not
for me. Now for Hettie Burke and if
she turns out like Josephine in her tastes
and dislike Of domestic duties, setting A.
side the knowledge Of them, which she
cannot well avoid having, as all say that
her mother has drilled her thoroughly in
them, and is full Of whims relating to their
being slavish, DC, why then ri seek a
life companion in some other part of the
country, and perhaps make il q part of
my present journey abroad to look for
ore. ..
Hettie welcomed him in an old calico
dress, with short sleeves la wasbtub.
and with her brown hair, that generally
curled so beautifully, gathered up neatly
and snugly on the back Of her head.
H ."rr-,-- -L,rii annIa<,:--, ~ "a
che as they entered the parlor, "but dis.
like apologies; and then you know that
Monday Is washing day, and we farmers
daughters have TO be in the suds then"
"And there's where hoped to find
you," George came near saying; but
checking himself, he replied, 4" l know il,
it's part Of woman's duties, and am
sure an apology now would be out Of
place r.
$50 thought" returned Hettie.
IL fear I'm intruding," said George.
20, by no MEANS" replied Hettie
"we are through with our washing, which
held out later than usual, as mother has
been quite unwell for week, and was
obliged to do the whole Of il to-day. You
will stay to tea Of course; It will be per-
fectly convenient. Mothers head ache
has come on and she has lain down, but
father will be in presently to entertain
you." .-'.. ..
Georges countenance was Frightening
up every moment, and he began to think
his fears groundless in regard to Het.
tie; but was resolved to test her ideas
thoroughly.
"Does housework agree with you n
enquired he, half trembling from uncer-
tainty as to the probable reply.
10, yes" returned Hettie, am general.
ly pretty healshy, and then I'm fond of it,
too, and you know that's half the battle,
Mother even goes so FAR as to say, some.
times, can cook and take care Of the
house as we'll as she but then, that's ker
flattery, Of course, TO encourage me-"
"But sach work is hard, and some say
slavi1h." continued George.
| ~ think differently" replied Hettie
'it is not slavish, and need not be 80 hard
as many contrive to make il. There's q
right way 10 do everything. Some have
what is called knack, but that is simply
finding out the easiest way OF doing a
thing and doing il well. One can make
housswork como comparatively easy in
that way"
"WeIl, some consider il Disgrace
continued our hero, "and others complain
that they have not taste for it."
"Itis not disgrace" said Hettie, "ou
the contrary, | think young lady may
we'll be proud Of a knowledge Of house.
keeping. Many OF tho first ladies of.the
land have not felt above It, and why
should /, who am nothing but farmers
daughterl As for taste that way, q girl
may a. we'll acquire one first as last. A
mans wife must understand such things
aud the time to learn is when single. !
oflen think how asbaimcd should be 4
married, and unable the first day Of coru.
mencing housekeeping TO cook my hus
band n decent meal.--What would he
think why, that was q mere doll, good
for nothing but to look at; should cry
from sheer vexatiop.
"WelI, really, begin TO almost think
Hettie," said George, sthst you would
even consent to marry q man who would
expect you 70 do housewofk all your days
if you loved him, you seem 10 make suel
an agreeable business Of IL but ! should
have but little respect for the man who
subjected yoa TO Il unnecessarily"
eyes," replied Hestie. smiling, aif l re-
ally loved = man, bis being poor would
not lead mo to reject him, even II his
station was such ~ 70 subject me 70 Gloss
attention to home duties ell my life"
That's the very ejrl foS me" said Gsorg,
Ito bimseif, a. Heftie left the room 10 az
iange the tes-sablci heod not look far