The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1858-06-12

the children frctfnl, and the wash un-
usually large, the baby having been sick
all the last week and company there be-
sides, she had been unable to get through
with it, and she was sorry to keep him
waiting.
| It's wasting breath to apologize for
what can be helped" growled Mr.. Lee,
in IN undcrtone. !" Ain't that child
asleep yeti"
The mother gently bent her face ia the
little one, and, having assured herself
that the measured breath of slumber ~
stealing through its rosebud lips, she
fastened to carry it to its crib, and 10
woman similarly situated will wonder q
she pressed a kiss upon its dimpled cheek
she left beside it sone pcarl-like drops, 4
little April shower wrung from her heart
by its eioudcd love.
But there was no trace Of emotion on
her face, when she re-entered the kitchen
save only by an added paleness, and quiet
ly and with that celerity, that denoted
practical housewife, she set about pre-
pairing the supper. In ten minutes
time il was on the table, and not even
Mr.. Lee, cross as he was, could find fault
with it. The cloth rivaled in whiteness
the snow bank that covered the grass
plat; the knives, forks and spoons were
miniature mirrors; the sugar bowl was
filled cream pitcher was flowing with its
luscious draught; the butter was neatly
stamped and golden in hue, the cold beef
cured BY his wife's own hands, was de.
liciously sweet the smoking hot biscuits
were eight as u feather" the stcwed
pears and baked apples, were "beauti-
fully done," while the pumpkin pie was
rich and yellow enough to suit the veriest
"down easter" 1t did not look ut all
like washing. days supper and a king
might have feasted there.
The tea. we had almost forgotten the
tea, which could Lave bribed into good
nature, the crossest spinsters, was served; /;
the little four years old dumping Of .
daughter, the eldest born of the house.
hold helped by the mother to plateful Of
goodies, as she termed the supper,
and the woman had taken one sip from
her restoring cup, when there was loud
impatient cry from the cradle.
"Don't for goodness sake let that child
wake up"' exclaimed Mr.. Lee, "keep
her asleep if you can, for if there is any
thing hate, it's child bawling, when
I'm eating"
So Mrs. Ice, left the table and sat
down by the little one, and by dint of
vigorous rocking and many careful care
sses, and much low humming, succeeded
in keeping little Nell asleep while her
father took his supper. As soon as he
had swallowed the last morsel he rose and
seized his hat.
81 wish you would milk the COW to
night, George" said his wife, timidly,"
| have so much to do yet"
"Gracious amt that COW MIXED yet,
Rose? Why didn't you ask me whsn |
first came in! | can't stop to milk her
now, if she has to 60 till morning
Shiftless work. ~ And he hurried out.
Poor Mrs. Lee sighed and wiped her
eyes, with her check apron. She had
set the milk pail on side table before
her husband came in, and she knew he
had seen it, and knew if he had been
good naturcd, he would have taken it
and gone to the COW, without been asked.
But there was no time for her to indul ge
her griefs. 1t was seven o'clock now
So she took up the baby, undressed it
and nursed it, and carried it to its nights
resting place, in the center of her own
neat bed. Then she called Rose, and,
hurried and tired us she was, failed not
to clasp the hands of the child as it knelt
beside her, and helped it to remember
its little prayer and then sit by its trun-
die bed and sing it sweet angel like
hymn. Then she took up the pail and
went out to the shed where stood the
patient COW, for Mr.. Lee although he
lived in the city aud could have bought
his milk every day, and thus saved his
wife many weary step, would have his
own butter. The flowing pailful strained
and the pans carried down cellar she
cleared off the table, and then tying her
hood closely on, and pinning cradle
blanket about her shoulders, and draw
ing on her mittens, Mrs Lee took up
the heavy basket and went into the keen
cold night air, and hung out her clothes.
The snow was up to her knees, the gar
ments froze ere they touched the line,
the whistling wind swept them about SO
wildly that she could scarcely pin them,
the frost glued her eyelids and benum-
bed her fingers, and when the hireling
task was over, she sank down more dead
than alive beside the glowing hearth.
Her feet, hauds and cheeks stung with
agony, while sharp stabbing pains in her
side, warned her Of trouble to come.
"Oh, if I were only through" groan-
ed she, and then she thought she would
let the calicoes be, and the mopiug 60 till
tomorrow but when after while she
became somewhat warmed, arguing that
every day brought its own task, she rose,
wrung and starched the calicoes and
hung them on horse behind the stove,
then she took the mop and pail, and the
painted floor was soon free from speck or
stain. She was just wringing out the
cloth with which she had washed the
| stone hearth when her husband return
ed.
| "Gracious amt you done YETI
What on earth ails you to be so long about
everything to-day? Now I've got to sit
here with this wet Roorg" And again
he icrked chair to the FIRE.
Mrs. Lee did not speak. She could
usually restrain her feelings, but she was
50 worn and wearied now, she felt if she
stroye to answer there would como food
Of tears. She quietly turned to the sinl
room and commenced emptying tho tubs
into the nails that ahe might easier throw