Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-05-30

and as soon as possible he changed the
topic of conversation.
t'.-What a lucky escape" said our friend
vending his way towards Hattie Burke's.
It's good thing for me that 1 sounded
her ron the housekeeping before propos-
ed, otherwise. 1 might have got myself in
a pretty fix. What figure should have
cut with such a wife; why, L should be
obliged to turn cook and wash-woman
myself. for could not stand. in my pres
ent circumstances, to hire all my work
done. l 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 fxl Beautiful times
L should have; my business would be
neglected, and should be poorer than
ever, and even if could afford to hire a
housekeeper, it wouldn't better the case
much, as should have to give ner direc-
tons and see that things were done props
erly, for Josephine is very far above such
deIestable matters as she calls them. A
man that's going to have such a wife
ought to know it in season, to get inita-
ted into household mysteries before mar
riage. Such Miss may do we'll for
rich man. but not for me. Now for Hat
tie Burke; and if she turns out like jose
phine in her tastes and dislike Of domes.
tic duties, setting aside the knowledge of
them, which she cannot avoid having. as
all say her mother has drilled her thor
oughly in them. and is full of whims in
relation to her being slavish. &C.. why,
then I'll seek a life companion in some
other part of the country, and perhaps
make it a part of my present journey
abroad to look for one"
Hattie welcomed him in an old calico
dres, with short sleeves, q Ia wash tub,
aud with her brown hair that generally
curled so beautifully, gathered up neatly
and snugly on the back Of her head.
al suppose should apologize" said
she. as they entered the parlor, " but l
dislike apologies ; and then you know that
Monday is washing day, and farmers
daughters have to be in the suds them,
= And there's where hoped to find
you" George came near saying; but he
checked himself and replied, " know it's
a part Of woman's duties, and [ am
sure an apology would be out of place."
$50 thought" returned Hattie.
81 fear l am intruding." said George.
go. by no meaus," replied Hattie !;
1--WE are through with our washing which
held out later than usual, as mother has
been quite unwell for a week, and | am
obliged to do the wl ole of it to-day. You
will stay to tea. of course it will be per-
nha
has come on. and she has laid down, but
father will be in presently to entertain
you" ..s
Georges countenance was Frightening
up every moment, and he began to think
his fears groundless in regard to Hattie.
but he was resolved to test her idea thor
oughly. .-r- -'..z
90, yes," returned Hattie, " I'm gen
orally pretty healthy, and then I'm fond
Of it too, and that you know, is half the
battle. Mother even goes so far as to
say that can cook and take care Of the
house as we'll as she but then. that's her
hattery, of course. to encourage me-"
But such work is hard, some say sla-
wish, continued George.
"I think differently y" replied Hattie !;
" it is not slavish, aud need not be so
hard as many contrive to make it. There
is way to do every thing. Some have
what is called knack. but that is simply
finding out the easiest way of doing it
we'll, one can make housework compare
lively easy in that way"
"Well, some consider it a disgrace"
continued our hero. and others complain
IL 81, EN.i
I" 1t is not disgrace" said Hattie /:
' on the contrary. l think a young lady
may be proud of knowledge Of house
keeping. Many Of the first ladies in the
land have not felt above it, and why
should who am nothing but farmers
daughter? AS for taste that way, a
girl might as we'll acquire one first as last.
A mau's wife must understand such
things. and the time to learn is when sins
gle. often think how ashamed should
be, if married. and unable the first day of
house keeping to cook my
husband decent meal. What would he
think Why. that l was mere doll,
good for nothing but to look at; should
cry, from sheer vexation.
Well, really almost begin to think
Hattie" said George, that you would
even consent to marry man who would
expect you to do housework all your days
if you love him, you seem to make such
an agreeable business of it. but l should
have but little respect for the man who
subjected you to it unnecessarily"
:. Yes." replied Hattie, smiling. if
really love man. his being poor would
not lead me to reject him. even if his situ~
alton was such as TO subject me to close
to my home duties all my life"
."That's the very girl for me-" said
Geoage to himself. as Hattie lefs the room
to arrange the tea table. 'I need not
IooL, further" And before he left the