Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-05-03
w. ID. WALLACE.
OUR SICK PUMP.

OUR SICK PUMP.
Mr.. Blifkins," says my wife, on the morn
ing OF washing day, Bridget complains that
there Is something the matter with the soft
water pump"
well, my dear,"I replied-I am very
careful to put in all the little tender expletives
on washing days, having found them serve ad-
lnlraoly as mOllihers at such times-"I will
see about il -
had not quite finished reading my morning
paper, and sat a moment to conclude the ac-
count of the last fearful casualty, when Brid-
gets face was thrust into the door, as red and
bright as an old fashioned brass warming pan
"Indade, men," said she, "the pumps
gone sgin."
Il wish you was, arose to my lips, but 1
didn't speak it.
Well, replied my wife, ''I've done all 1
can about it, unless l am expected to draw the
box. and FIX it. 1 expect every day that 1
shall have to do such work. A woman's life
Is hard enough at the best, but a little addi-
tiOnal service would not hurt her, dare say
Perhaps in the intervals of household duties
she night take in jobs Of pump-mending.
/ said nothing
Mr.. Blifkins, said my wife, "will you see
20 the pump"
This was said in a tone that completely
overcame the horror awakened by the cas-
ualty, and throwing the paper aside, I proceed
ed to the kitchen. A few drops only oozed
from the nose, and as piled the handle, the
pump gave forth a rumbling sound, as though
1t was surly in its refusal TO yield the accus-
toned supply.
This is pretty state of things, for wash
ing day" said my wife.
Well, my dear" said 1, II do not see how
you can blame me for it; thou canst not say
dio it"
/ Immediately essayed to take out the bog
The screws that secured the top were rusty
and refused 10 turn.
Mrs. Blifkins," said /, "Ehere's the ham
mer.'
How should know where the hammer ISL
L replied, lit is probably where you used it:
you leave everything for me to take care of.
My father used to say "a place for everything
and everything in its place wish all men
Nsrs as particular
remembered that I had used the hammer
- repair chicken coop some weeks before,
and proceeding to the spot found il rusty and
dirty, lying just where l had left it. A system
like this, closely followed, would prove of i'm.
mense advantage, for memory of where an ar
ticle was used would Immediately suggest the
spot where it was to be found. Returning to
the kitchen / commenced work The rusty
tnreaf OF the screw refused perSistently to
yield, but patience wins, and after a half
hours sweating and fretting had the top re-
moved and the pump box in my hand There
were evident signs of decay in the leather, and
III.
L hammered, and tackled, and cut, and pulled.
until fancied that had attained perfec ton
In my effort.
Mrs Blifkins,' says /, in my momentary
satisfaction, ''can you tell me the difference
oetwixt man who mends pumps and prune?n
vi course she could mt, and / told her that
one was plum and the other was a plumber
wherea. she was pleased to smile, though, /
thought, rather derisiveIy
Now we shall see" says /, putting in the
box, 'the triumph of genius. Pour In some
water, Bridget, and as pump you shall see
the water flow"
manned the brakes but in vain nv effort
No effect was produced but the most painful
sOund-a sort of asthmatic wheezing like that
of Porcine quadruped just expiring under the
action OF surgical operation upon his neck
My triumph changed, and my clipper notes
partOok Of more tempestuous character as
muttered an expression that nothing but the
immediate circumstances could Justify
That's rig ght," said my wife, Il would talk
In that way. 1t will help the matter. / dare
say very much. Men have got no patience.
1t they had to bear as much as women do,
don know what would become of them
L will bring mechanics said 1, little
subdued, and they shall bring the pump"
Immediately sought Lumb.
"Send wOrkmen, said /, ''Oh, man of lead
pipe sud solder and mend that without which
washiDg-day becomes a Sabbath without a SER
A%Chr AoA "AoN HCAc without
water,n
Two men accompanied mc - my home-phi-
lanthropists, with disposition and ability to re-
lieve the difficulty under which iabored.
Now, my boys" said /, as l introduced
them to the field of their operations ''put her
through"
The term cher struck Ms BIif kins as
irrelevant and somewhat personsl asI Judged
from her looks. No barometer could be more
exact than was her countenance to my expert
fenced vision.
Look here, sir" said one of the men. try-
ing the handle, there amt nothing the mat
ter with the pump
Then what is the matter with the infsrpa,
thing" asked, excitedly.
Tho principal reason is, think, sir, that
the water has gin out"
L looked at the man wonderingIy; but his
honest eye convinced me that he was sincere,
and afte- examination proved the truth of what
he said.
My friend" said I, ''here is triae for
you, and will settle with Lumb. Don't saw
anything about it."
L never knew how the matter came ont but
always thought Mrs. Blif kins must have told
about it