Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1856-10-16
Looking for a Domestic Wife.
BY KIT CARLYLE.

Il phlne is splendid looking girl, queen
in every movement, and commands adj
miration wherever she goes; but on the
other hand, Hettie is little gem, and
has sweet disposition; although, per-
haps, Josephine has as good. Both can
shine in the parlor, and, for aught |
know, in the kitchen also, as all farmer
daughters should be able to do Well,
I'll call on them this Monday afternoon,
and endeaver to decide then. It's wash
ing day, / know, but so much the better
tlmeto sound them on household duties;
and as | am going out of town the fore
part of this week. it will be good excuse
for calling now"
George Benson was q smart, intelli-
gent young man, poor, but engaged in
profitable business, which bid fair to,
in few years, place him in independ-
ent circumstances. He wished to mar
ry, but felt the necessity Of wedding
some one who was domestic, and who
would be helpmate.
He was very much interested in both
Hettie and Josephine, and hardly knew
which he should prefer for a wife, as
both had many excellent qualities, but
finally concluded to decide in favor of
the one who should prove the most do
nestle.
Georges walk that afternoon brought
him to Mr.. Reynolds about three
o'clock. Josephine's mother came to
the door and ushered him into the par
lor. In few moments Josephine en-
tered and welcomed him cordially. To
his surprise instead of seeming fatigued,
as one will after a Mondays washing,
she looked as fresh and blooming as a
rose, and as trim i'll her dress as though
ready for party; while her mother, in
her calico working dress, looked jaded
and care worn, and referring, by way OF
apology, to it's being washing day, soon
left the room.
"Excuse my calling on Monday, Miss
Reynolds" said George, 'but was GO
ING to leave town for week, and |
thought I'd happen in for a few mo-
ments before | went"
90, you are perfectly eXcusable," re-
piled Josephine, ''and | am very glad
indeed that you called"
81 shall make but short stay" con-
tinued George, "as | presume you are
quite weary with your"
90, no, not at all; | have been down
to the village shopping all the afternoon.
Mother always does the washing, as
havn't any taste that way"
'Then you have been at liberty all
day."
Eyes, certainly; washing day is nc
different with me from any other; Inev
: er did Mondays washing i'll my life
Mother tried to initiate me into the mys
teries Of the art one day, but | was SO
awkward that she had to give up the
III dag aFd hf y yah RGn fha
woman"
;, 'Indeed" said George to himself.
''Father," continued Josephine
"would hire the washing done every
week, but mother would rather do il
herself for economy's sake"
"a knowledge Of homework, espec
tally cookery, is very desirable in 8
young lady," replied George.
81 suppose it was once considered
so,' replied Josephine; but gentlemen
nowadays generally hire their wives 3
washerwoman and housekeeper, and
that answers every purpose, and saves q
lady the trouble of acquainting hersell
with such disagreeable matters. Gen
tlemen of the present day do not wish
their wives to be slaves, but compan-
ions"
Every convenient logic for the Ia
dies" thought George.
Il, Il
and prefer to make themselves acquain-
ted with them," said he ''tor the sake OF
overseeing their servants, and knowing
themselves that these things are done as
they should be, if for no other purpose.
''True, but Pm not one Of that sort
| abhor them. Housework is perfectly
hateful-detestable to me. Oh, dear,
should consider man cruel who wished
me to confne myself to it, even part OF
the time"
SWELL" continued George, drawing a
breath, for he was surprised to hear
Josephine express herself so directly
contrary to all his previous notions Of a
women's duties, ga lady sometimes mar
ries a poor man and finds it for her and
his interest to conform to circumstances
and attend to duties which are not agree
able to her for the sake of assisting her
husband and rendering his burthen
lighter"
eyes, but | make no calculation OF
that kind" said Josephine firmly though
pleasantly, for she was really an agree
able girl, though allowed to grow up
with erroneous notions i'll regard to do
nestle affairs 81 prefer not to wed a
man unless he is able and willing to sup
port me in ease and style"
"Then you would not make the right
kind of a wife for me-" thought George
thoroughly sick of Josephine's remarks;
and rs soon as possible, he changed the
topic of conversation.
] ''What lucky escaped" said our
friend to himself, an hour afterwards, as
, he wendell his way towards Hettie
4 Burke's. 'It's a good thing for me that
/ sounded her upon housekeeping be
fore proposed, otherwise | might have
got myself into pretty fix. What a
! figure / should cut with such a wife,
1 WHY, should be obliged to turn wash
erwoman myself, for couldn't afford in
my present circumstances, to hire all my
work done. | should have to stay at
home, and wash Monday, iron Tuesday,
and perhaps bake Saturday, leaving on
i lv three DAYS out of seven to attend to
my own business. What fix! Beau
tiful times / should have; my business
would be neglected, and should be
poorer than ever; and even if | could
afford to hire house-keeper it wouldn't
better it much, as i should have to give
her directions, and see that things are
done properly, for Josephine is very far