Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-03-29
Mlistella
ONLY TWO OF US.
BY MRS. ROBINSON.

/" I've made an engagement for you tc
spend day out this week." said Squire
Crosby, as his wife was placing dinner up.
on the table.
"Have you? I'm sorry, for | fear
shall be too busy to fulfill it, she rejoincj
in slight tone of regret.
Busy about what ~ testify exclaimed
the speaker. 81 would respectfully in.
quire, for somewhat less than the hum
dredth time, what you can possibly find to
do? II seems to me that you must really
suffer for want of exercise"
Il do, undoubtedly" said Mrs. Crosby
drily.
g" 1t can't be otherwise continued the
Squire. decidedly. 1t is a comparative
ly idle lito for woman to attend to few
household cares"
i" 4 lew household cares ~
"Yes, my dear Mrs. Crosby, and the
washing put in into the bargain. What a
laborious business ~ Squire Crosby look
ed very wise, and spoke with slight de-
gree of irony.
i" You talk like one who is unacquant-
cd with his subject; but at thesame time
| am willing to allow that you know as
much about it as the generality of mcn ;
and that can't be construed into a COM
pliment to the sex by any means"
i" But isn't the fact selt-eyident one,
Mrs. Crosby? Haven't | eyes, and can't
| sec cbservc-Iook about me--compre-
hend p demanded the squire.
Y on might, without doubt; but whcth-
or you do, is another thing" rcjoincd the
wife.
=" BE that as il may, however, am sat
isicd that can find enough to do to keep
me out Of idleness
/ when there is only two Of US ~
i "Only two of us" added Mrs. Crosby
quietly; " for it IS just as necessary that
two should eat as four"
We'll, it certainly must be great un-
iertaking to cook little food, wash 4
+ few dishes, and lay the table three times
day Why, | could accomplish the
whole in less than two hours
Those duties you have named do not
comprise the whole Of housekeeping, Mr..
/ Crosby"
Perhaps not; | shouldn't mind throw
Ing in little dusting and sweeping, once
in while. But it certainly appears
laughlbe To hear woman complain Of
the work when there Is only two in the
family. | verify believe it Is only habit, =
quoth the Squire with becoming gravity.
"Snppos' YOU try it for one day" pro-
posed Mrs. Crosby, with like seriousness.
" Eli go to the office and do your work,
and you can remain at home aud do mine. :
ITS rather novel proposition, and |
don't at this time call to mind any cele
bratel men who have done housework. i
have not the least objection to trying it,
notwithstanding, aud presume it will be
the easiest days work shall have this
year" reJoinel the husband.
Both being agreed, the next day was
selected for the cxchonCe Of employments.
\ quiet smile lurkel upon Mr-, Crosby's
mouth, and the Squire evidently thought
it fine Joke; one which would afford him
large fund of merrimcnt, ami be the
meaas Of proving to his wife that house
work was nothing more than Il pleasant
ama>emeut.
The deludeA woman thought her time
was fully ocenpjel in keeping good sized
house tidy, aad in dcvisin5 new means Of
gratifying the palate Of the squire who
strange 10 say, liked good food and abun-
dance OF it, lie seemed to think that
this jumped upon the table ready cooked,
and that Mrs Crosby, for some other per-
SOM had but to utter few magical words
and everything was done. But to hear
these triting duties termed enormous,
when there Was "only two Of them |" to
look after, seemed great absurdity to
Squire Crosby, and he inwardy resolved
to write an article on the subject, and let
the sterner sex know how much they were
imposed upon,
While rejecting upon this laulable de-
termination, Mrs. Crosby had occupied
herself in jotting down list of duties
which demanded attention the next MORN
ing. This she folded aud quietly handed
to her husband, requesting him TO make
out a similar paper, so that no misman-
agement might ensue.
The list is no longer than usual, said
the lady, smiling at tue earne,tness with
which he surveyed it Il 90 through
with the same performances every day
1t is necessary, for they cannot be omitted.
But don't be frightened; you can take
your own time she added, in a bantering
/ tone.
Feigning the utmost Indifference to the
results, he remarked that he should prob
ably make quick work of it, aud plac-
ing the paper in his pocket, returned to
the office.
The eige lord of Mrs. Crosby practic-
ed law in a suburban town, and had ac.
quired considerable property by the same.
Ills wife had Independence enough to do
her own housework, but could not help
thinking that she deserved some credit for
so doing She had no particular desire to
be praised Justice where justice is due, y
was her motto and our readers will per-
haps coincide with her in the belief that
it was rather hard to work busily the
whole morning, and then be told that sne
: had done nothing comparatively" 1t was
snot encouraging to say the least, and she
awaited the experiment of the next day
with much interest.
Morning came, and the Squire aroused