The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-07-25
SELECTED TALES.
From the Waverly Magazine.
LOOKING FOR A DOMESTIC WIFE
ny KIT CARLYLE.

phine Reynolds or Hettie Burken s.;d
young Benson TO himself Josephine !,
asplendid looking girl, a queen in eyery
movement, and commands admiration
wherever she goes; but, on the other hand
dettis is little gem, and has sweet dis.
2 position, although, perhaps, Josephine ha.
as good. Both can shine in the parlor
and, for aught know, in the kitchen also
as all farIhers' daughters should be able
TO 90. Well I'll call on them this Mon.
day afternoon, and endeavor 10 decide
then. It's washing day know. but A
much the better time TO sound them on
household duties; and as am going ont
OF town the former part of this veel !,
Wiil DC good excuse for calling now.n
George Benson was smart, in,ellipsnt
young man, poor, but engaged in a prof.
table business, which bid fair to, in a few
years, place him in independent circum.
stances. He wished TO marry. but felt
! the necessity Of wedding some one who
was domestic, and who would be belp.
mate.
he was very much interested in both
He,tie and Josephine. and hardly knew
which he would prefer for a wife, a. both
had many excellent qualities, but finally
concluded to decide in favor of the ONE
who should prove to be the most domes-
tic.
Georges walk that afternoon brougbt
him to Mr.. Reynolds about three o'clock
Josiphine's mother came to the door and
ushered him into the parlor. In few
minutes Josephine entered and welcomed
him cordially. To his surprise. insle,,i al
seeming fatigned, rs one will after a Mon.
days washing, she lookee as fresh and
blooming asa rose, and as trim in her
dress as though ready for party; while
her mother, in her old calico working
dress, looked jaded and careworn, and re.
ferring, by way Of apology, to its being
washing day, soon leit the room.
excuse my calling on Monday, Miss
Reynolds" said George, Abut l was going
to leave town for week, and thought
would happen in = few moments before
. ] went"
40, you ara perfectly excusable, replied
Josephine, and am very glad indeed that
you called,
81 shall make but short stay" contin.
ued George, "as presume you are quito
weary with your"
10, no, not at all, have been down 10
thu village shopping all the afternoon
Mother always does the washing, as !
hayn't any taste that way"
"Then you've been at liberty all day r.
Yes, certainly; washing day is no diff
ferent With me than any other; / never
did Mondays washing in my life
Mother tried 70 initiate me into the mys.
teries OF the art one day, but l was SO
awkward that she had TO give up the ex.
pertinent; and she said then, there wa,
no danger Of my ever making wash,
woman
aIndeed," said George to himself.
sFather," continued Josephine, would
hire the washing done every week, but
mother says she had rather do Il herself
for economy's sake.
IA knowledge Of housework, especially
OF cookery, is very desirable in a young
lady" replied George.
IL suppose Il was once considered So
replied Josephine; bnt gentlemen now.
a-days, generally hire their wives wash
woman and housekeeper, and that an,
swers every purpose, and saves q lady Tho
trouble Of acquainting herself with such
disagreeable matters. Gentlemen OF the
present day do not wish their wives TO bt
sIaves. but companions.
VERY convenient logic for the ladies'
thought George.
ASome have a taste for such duties and
prefer TO make themselves acquainted with
thsm,p said he, '.ior the sake Of overseeing
their servants and knowing for tbemseIves
that things are dcne as they should be, q
for no other purpose"
sTrue. but I'm not one Of that sort. !
abhor them. Housewosk Il perfectly
batefbl-detestabie to me. o, dear.
should consider man cruel who wished
me 70 confne myself 70 II, even a part o
the time"
swell" continued George, drawing q
long breath, Tor he was surprised to heal
Josephine express bimselfso directly con
trary 70 ell his previous notious Of a wo
mans duties, q lady sometimes marries
apoor man, and finds il for her and hi
interest to eeufofm 10 circumstances, and
attend to duties which are agreeable 10 her
for the sake Of assisting her husband and
rendering his barjen lighter
Yes. but mako no solicitation or tbsl
kind" said Josephine 6ssnly, though plea
sanity, for she vas rally an agreeable
girl, although SLOWED 70 grow up with
erroueoas nosions n regard TO domestic
affairs. y prefer not 70 wed mnp unless
he = sbIe aud ailling 70 spppors me ia
ease and slyie,r
Then yon would not make Che siklil
kind of aNifs fof ipe," ibOugbs George