The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-05-28
Seletted Sturp.
FIVE MINUTES WORK,

HERE, Lizzie, | wish you would put few
stitches into my coat - it's getting too shabby"
at is so, Frank but really, think you had bet
ler take it to the tailor"
"Take it to the tailor? BY George! but that's a
huge idea. Why there isn't five minutes work to
be done, and the tailor would charge dollar"
&C. suppose he would but don't see how
could do it to-day Walter is fretfui, andy know
he has kept me awake nearly all night"
-Little imp! it does seem to me there never was
40 cross young one"
so, no, Frank, he's not cross he's teething"
ALWAYS soinq excuse. Well you must mend my
coat any how"
''Iil try and find time"
~Try. Just let him squall! twill do him good
strengthen his lungs
Then, you know it's ironing day."
"Wcl, how many more excuses III put it on,
sips and all, if you're going to make such fuss" 4"
90 no, Frank did not mean to make fuss {;
but it's d long job, aud oae that am not much
used to; and with my dinner to get, and baby, and
ironing, | do not see how ! can get it done. But
III do my best"
Such was the conversation that passed between
n Young husband and wife of eighteen months
standing.
Frank Barton was what the world calls real
driver. He made any thing that went through his
Saands inure to his own benefit. Every body liked
him heeause he was so frank, and withal 50 honest
,and upGgtt in all his dealings with his customers
lie was wes sducated for business man; lived in
society and made up his mind that he could sup
port wife, and according to his reckoning save
something to boot. Yes, 10 be sure he could
There were six dollars a week for board, and dol
aar dozen for washing, and then quarters and
dimes innunerable for taking his lady acquaintan
gees ride to tho theatre to ice saloons balls
operas, etc.
"By George! he exclaimed, as he cast up his
yearly aecoam that's huge. It's enough to
Break fellow. A thousand year? 1t wont do
vi marry and settle down"
So 10 applied to Lizzy Forsyth. the best and kind
est girl among lis acqnnintances, to helphim along
in his good resolves, aud was in possession of
that admirable burden "to be supported" wife.
Lizzie was good, sensible girl, and was soon
tired of boarding. A snug house was rented, and
the work of supporting wife began in earnest
The five rocms cost two hundred year, ard pret-
si,y furnished Lizzie preferred to do her own work,
wasfnn. and al. and being expert with her needle,
Then as il ,Wsz little lonesome for Frank he
brought home seEs-al clerks as day boarders, at
four dollars a-weok. Still with all this he would
tell his acquaintances how much less it cost him to
live. Now he supported q wife, he never seemed
for moment to realize that she it was who saved
all these expense, and that if he had not earned
dollar, her busy hands would have paid the rent,
and kept him from starving.
SO the matter stood when he asked her TO mend
his coat. Lizzie drew deep sigh, after he was
gone, and hurried her dishes away as fast as pos
sible.
The coat was of broadc!oth, and was his we'd
sling garment; but it was well nigh wearing out,
brk.r under the arms, the cord and lining in rags,
tho sIee~e Innings broke loose, buttons wore off
in fine there n nearly if not quite, days work.
She sat down 20 the coat with hearty good will,
determined de her best. Her needle few, but
avery moment hsd TO be laid down to see to din
ner or hush the baby. The hours wore away and
though she did all she possibly could, the job was
still unfinished ut sundown Walter cried inces-
sanity. He looked pale and his eyes were dim (;
she remembered Franks words "let him squall,
and she did let him cry half hour or more. o,
how it wearied her to hear him cry for his mother.
The tears swan IN her eyes as she thought OF her
ihard days work, and of the want of appreciation
stf her labor. She knew size w2s making the old
eost look as well as new" But he never would
III TX Of the toll she had put upon it. And what
If he dom she g2entaiiy calculated, al shall in
my own spirit know all tea' have DONE and that
is enough" She was longing, Eo2ging with sick
enng heart to have her lar ree0gniEets 10 hes'
him now and then speak as if her work wasof sol''
avail. There is Mt more than five M 'nutes' WORK
aud the taller would charge me a dollar, KEEP
ringing in her ears.
But Lizzie was strong hearted, as we'll as loving
aud duuiul. 30 .ho shook of her discomfort, put
On smiling face, took up the baby, and sung her
prettiesI lullaby, carried him round with his little
head on her shoulder, while she filled the teakettle
aud set the table, now and then setting him in the
cradle, and chirping to him, while she did thos,
things which required both of her hands Thu,
she worried through supper getting, and with mu /
managing, had all things ready by the lime Franl
eame in with his companions.
:" My coat done, Lizzie?"
"No, not quite"
That's woman for ye, boys. One half of ther