Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-30
M0DlL HulBAaUs.

Voeid melt into heaven.
M0DlL HusBAsDs.
Another days work is done, thank
fortune" said Mr.. Peterkin, throwing
himself, with an air of careless satisfac.
ton, in a reclining attitude Oh q bench.
"i'm BOT lazy man, but 1 do feel glad,
these hot June days, when the sun goes
down."
A few minutes only did Mr.. Peterlin
remain in this position. Rising up
quickly, as thought crossed his mind,
he added
WOman's work, 1t is truly said, is
never done. | must hurry off home and
see how poor Mary is getting along. She
did not seem at oil well when left her
at dinner time"
You don't expect to cook your sup
per, do you !" remarked an employer in
the establishment where Mr.. Peterkin
was engaged, speaking with a slightly
sneering expression.
If cook should happen to be out and
wifey SICK" was the smiling answer,
"tbe kettle will not fail to reach the
boiling point through my neglect or in
difference. That's fact"
Every man to his taste" was the
answer; "but Tn no Betty. | SUD-
pose you could dress the baby on a
pinchl"
Haven't tried it yet, but we're never
too old to learn, you know. Shouldn t
| object to an experiment in that line-for
l love bobies-if there was not wom.n's
gentler and more skillful hand ready to
do the work." cheerfully returned Peter
kin.
The other tossed his head in a half
contemptuous manner, replying that his
babies would 60 q long time without be-
ing washed and dressed, if they waited
for him to do it. For his part, he de
spised woman's work.
" You don't despise woman also, I
hope?" said Peterkin, looking so steadily
and meaningly at bis companion that be
appeared slightly confused.
"They are well enough in their place,
and exceedingly useful" was answered
in a tone affectedly gay. Then he added
more seriously, as if to do away with
any unfaVorable impression in regard to
his home-relations that his words and
manner might have created, 81 leave to
my wife the entire management of the
kitchen and nursery, and never trespass
an inch on her prerogative. It's as much
IS L can do to maintain the household.
Her department is entirely distinct from
mine. She never interferes with me, and
| award to her a like immunity"
"How is it if meal is late or badly
cooked" asked Peterkin.
"lgrumble, of course perhaps scold, ="
said the other. IF I find the money to
buy good food, and it is spoiled in cook
ing, think I've a right to grumble.
should like to know what you do under
similar circumstances 2"
81 haven't the trial often," returned
Peterkin.
you're lucky then, that's all I have
to say. lsuppose you raise such storm
when there is any defect, that your wife
receives lesson which she does not care
often to have it repeated. l think
your remedy"
"It might be better, perhaps, il you
would" said Peterkin smiling.
"When meal is Late or badly cook
ed, you meant"
| yes"
| 81 take several things for granted, in
the outset" answered Peterkin.
What are they Z"
In the first place I give my wife
credit for good intentions. I know she
meant to have all right. This, of course,
stiles impatienee, and q disposition to
complain. In the second place, | know
that she is sufficiently annoyed at the
defect. To increase this ANNOYANCE by
fault finding or fretfulness, would not
only be selfish and cruel on my part, but
create state of feeling in my wife that
must increase her unhappiness, and
cloud the whole happiness of home"
And you say nothing about it 2" ex-
claimed the other in surprise.
"NOt a word. The pleasure of mere
eating and drinking do not constitu te
the whole of domestic enjoyment. If
the meal is not quite so good as expect
ed, so much the moro necessity to in
crease, rather than diminish, good feel
ing, which also has its Office of recrea-
ting and strengthening. But must not
stand talking here" added Peterkin.
They will be looking for me home.
Mary, as l said, was not we'll when
left at dinner time. She has a new girl
in the kitchen, too one, in my opinion,
not much to be relied on. Good evening,
all"
And the young man started off with a
light, quick step. The one with whom
he had been talking felt strongly inclined
to utter sneering commentary on the
declaration of Peterkin; but certain con.
trasts between his own home conduct
and that OF his business companion were
presented SO vividly before his mind that
in very shame he kept silent.
The day had been unusually hot aud
sultry, and the duties of Mr.. Peterkin OF
an exhausting nature. Cheerful as he
appeared, and lightly as he moved away
under lhe temporary excitement Of mind