Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-30
4u Yntsrestina Storu.
LooKINeFoR A DoMEsrIcwIFE.
By KIT CARVE.

Il hardly know which like best
Josephine Reynolds or Hattie Burke.
said young Benson to himself. DO
sephine is a splendid looking girl,
queen in every movement, and GOA
mands admiration wherever she goes
but on the other hand. Hattie is liz
tie gem. and has sweet disposition
although. perhaps Josephine has a.
good. Both can shine in the parIor
and for aught l know, in the kitchen
also. as all farmers' daughters shouIe
be able to do. Well. I'll call on then
this Monday afternoon and endeavol
to decide the matter. lis washing
day. l know, but SO much the bettel
to sound on household duties; and a.
am going out Of town the fore par
Of this week. it will be good excuse
for calling now.
George Benson was smart. intelli
gent young man; poor. but engaged
in good business. which bid FAIR. in
a few years. TO place him in indepen
dent circumstances. He wished to
marry, but felt the necessity Of wed.
ding some one who was domestic and
would b., a helpmate.
lie was very much interested in
both Hattie and Josephine. and hard
y knew which he should prefer for II
wife, as both had many excellent
qualities. but finally concluded to de-
eide in favor of the one who should
prove to be the most d. mestic.
Georges WALL that afternoon
brought him 10 Dir. Reynolds about
8 o'clock. Josephine's mother usher
ed him into the parIor. In a few mo
menls Josephine entered and welcom.
ed him cordially. To his surprise,
instead'of being fatigued as one will
after Mondays washing. she looked
as fresh and blooming as rose. and
rs trim in her dress rs though ready
for party; while her mother. in her
calico working dress, looked jaded and
care-worn, and referring by way oI
apology. to its being washing day,
soon left the room.
Excuse nv calling on Monday.
Miss Reynolds" said George. but
was going to leave town for week.
and tho't would happen in few
moments before went.
20, you are perfectly excusable. I"
replied Josephine, nm gIad rnueeu
that you called"
II shall make but short stay"
continued George, "as presume you
are quite weary with your"
20. no not at all. as l have beer
down to the village shopping all the
afternoon. Mother always does the
washing, as l haven't any taste that
way"
"Then You have been at liberty sll
day."
eyes. certainly; washing day Is
not different with me from any other;
never did a Mondays washing in
my life. Mother tried to initiate mt
into the mysteries of the art one day
Sut was so awkward that she had To
give up the experiment; and she said
then that there was no danger Of my
ever becoming wash-woman."
'Indeed r said George to himself.
Father" continued Josephine.
"would hire the washing done every
week. but mother says she had rather
do il herself for economy's sake"
"a knowledge Of housework. es'
pecially cookery. Is very desirable In a
young lady. replied George"
81 suppose II was once considered
So" replied Josephine. ''but gentle
men nowadays generally hire their
wives D wash woman and house.
keeper, and that answers every pur.
pose. and saves lady the trouble ol
scquainting herself with such disa
srrcable matters. Gentlemen oil tn,
present day do not wish their wives I,
be slaves but companions"
every convenient logic for the la.
Dies" thought George.
"Some have taste for such duties
md prefer 10 make themselves ac'
luainted with thcm," said he. ''fo'
he sake Of overseeing their servants
and knowing for themselves that thing
are done as they should be. II for n,
other purpose"
True, but I'm not Of that Sort
| I abhor them. Housework is perfect
l'y haiefui-detestsbl TO me. o
lear. should consider a man crue
who wished me to con6ne myself I,
IL, even part Of the time"
"WeII." continued George, draw
,ng long breath for he was surprised
% hear Josephine express herself ST
irectly contrary 10 all previous ne
lions Of woman's duties. "a lad,
sometimes marries poor man ant
finds II for her and his interests 4
con6ne herself to circumstances, ans
attend to duties which a,e not ngrcsa
BILE TO her. for the sake Of assistin:
her husband and rendering his bur
hen lighter"
Yes. but, l make no calculation
that kind" said Josephine frply
though pleasantly. for sh. WAS reall!
an agreeable girl. though allowed 4
grow up with erroneous notions il
regard to domestic affairs. al prefe
not to wed man unless he is abb
and willing to support me in ease ans
style"
"Then you would not make tn
right kind Of wife for me-" though
George. thoroughly sick Of Josephine
remarks. aud as soon as possible h
changed the subject Of conversation.
What alucky escape, said our frient
to himself. an hour afterwards as h.
was vending his way towards Haiti,
Burke's. les a good thing Tor mt
that sounded her upon ousekeepinl
before proposed. otherwise l righ
have got myself In pretty 6x.-
What figure / should have cut will
such a wife; whv l should have beer
Obliged 10 turn cook and wash woman
myself for could not afford. in IN,
present circumstances. to hire all NJ