The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-04-12

THE TIRED HOUSEKEEPER:
OR, COUSIN MARY,s DREAM.


"Thore, the last baby is asleep and
I hope I shall have a chance to breathe, t"
exclaimed Mra Hewitt, throwing her
self into an easy chair beside the work
table, where her cousin sat reading
ono; I have forgotten Williams dress
ing-gown and slippers" And the tired
wife rose with a sigh, and weorily
brought these comforts from the closet
of an adjoining room. A faint smile
of pleasure stole over her features as
she wheeled her husband schair around
placed the slippers just right and then
the dressing-gown gracefully across
the chair.
"Please, ma'am, will you step here a
minit?" called Bridget from the hall
"What shall we have for breakfast,
.please2" she asked, as Mrs. Hewitt clos
ed the parlor-door behind her.
The poor mistress was 80 wearied by
the cares Of the day that she could not,
just then, recall the contents of the
larder; and a journey to the basement,
and sundry orders to Bridget, consum-
ed the next quarter of an hour.
"Mamma, mamma, Minnie wants a
drink, called out little voice from the
nursery just as Mrs, Hewitt again
opened the parlor.door
ooh, dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Hewitt,
"there is no rest for mo-" Yet she was
tender mother; so she assembled the
stairs, gave the child a drink, soothed
her to sleep, carefully tucked the bed.
clothes around all four Of the little Sleep
ers, (tho elder but ten and descended
noisclessly to the parlor
The sight of her cousin seated in
an armchair by the blazing parlor
crate, book in hand, offectually destroy
ed the feeling Of happiness which
a mothers love was rousing in her
heart; and Mrs. Hewitt was not the
happy wife and mother, but the mere
domestic drudge, toiling her life away
for others, all unthanked.
Mrs Carleton, the cousin guest, was
few years older than Mrs. Hewitt
She was a widow, and childless Hel
countenance had an expression of deeT
sadness, when in repose; but desire tC
make others happy and an abiding
sense of the unerring wisdom Of hel
heavenly Father, made her so habitual.
Ily calm and cheerful, that strangers
little dreamed how much sorrow she haC
known; and even friends were no
aware Of the effort itsometimes cost her
to preserve a calm exterior when som,
trivial circumstance would touch one
of the secret springs of memory, anC
lift the hoodgates of sorrow, submerging
the soul in grief's bitter waters. Like
others, Mrs. Hewitt was deceived, and
unmiudful Of her own greater blessings
almost envied her gentle cousin he.
changeful life and abundant leisure.
elbow do you like 'The Land auC
the Book, cousin, dear?" asked Mrs
Hewitt, once more seating herself a
the shaded gaslight, while Mrs Carleton
laid aside her book, and took up he
knitting work. William brought home
those volumes when it was first publish
ed, more than three months ago, an,
I have not yet found time to read twt
chapters; but you know overworke,
housekeepers have no time they car
call their own; I sometimes feel that
am in a state Of intellectual starvation
Our means are limited, and we can keel
but one serv ant; so l must be nurse
Igoverness, and chambermaid, beside
experimenting the kitchen affairs; anC
with family Of four little ones, l ge
completely worn out in body and il
mind, and as 1 look in upon you, nov
and then, during the day, / almos
envy you the quiet leisure you enjoy
But l never have a moment for culture
and probably never shall have; it is toll
toll, all day, and even the nights are ful
I Of care" Mrs. Hewitt sighed deeply
while dark clouds of discomfort and re
pining rested on her brow.
"You have a kind husband and
pleasant home, Emma, said Mrs. Carle
ton, gently.
eyes; but I get so worn out wit
care and toll, that 1 sometimes think
will coax William TO board for a while
at least till get rested, replied Mrs
| Hewitt.
"Boarding would only bring you les
enjoyment and added care, remarke
Mrs. Carleton
"Perhaps so. There is no way 70
me but to toll on till 1 die; so l may a
we'll try TO be contented." And Mr.
Hewitt sighed again, and bent her hea
down over her work, to hide the starr
ling tears.
Mrs. Carleton was troubled. She ha
been panied with frequent expression
Of repining and discomfort during th
few weeks Of her visit, and she feaFe
that Mrs. Hewitt was forming a hab
which would eventually destroy he
happiness, and had been prayerfull
seeking to devise some plan to show he
3 cousin her error, without giving ofenc
: Only one remedy had suggested itsel
J. it was a severe one, but she had n
y solved to try it,
81 have been thinking a great de
r. about you these few days, Emma, sal
j Mrs. Carleton, gently; "and to-day
= way to relieve you from all this car
was suggested to my mind; but I thin
l. neither yourself nor your husbar
IT would consent to IT,"
"What is it2 do toll mel' asked Mr.
Hewitt, with animation. "Wilha
s. would be as glad as myself, to see n
"a relieved from this burden, and wou