The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-17
What is the Reason.
pr MRS. GEORGE WASHINGTON Wills.

BY MRS. GEORGE WASHINGTON WILLS.
don't SEQ why Mr.. Tendril isn't more con-
tented to stay at home I'm sure nobody ever
had better wife; ho might see. with half nm
eye, that I'm just wearing myself out, scrub
bing and securing and trying to keep the house
neat and pleasant. never have any time to
road or fx myself up-somcthing always wants
doing, just the minute get ready to sit down.
But Tendril seems to think woman's work can
be disposed Of in half an hour-says I'm too
fussy and particular! That's all man knows
about II. Wish knew how Mrs. Clover man
ages. Her husband Is never hazing of like
discontented ghost-not he! Any one would
think they hadn't got over their courting days
yet. But then she isn't anything Of house,
keeper; she actually lets her children play In
the parlor, aud don't have her windows washed
oftener than once o week-throws the blinds
open, and lets tho sun come right in on the
carpets. Says she'd rather have faded carpets
than gloomy room and q celery-sprout face
Don't dust her furniture moro than once In
day-positively laughs at the idea Of chasing
round with cloth in one hand and feather
brush in the other;' says she hasn't time to
follow every particle Of dust into the street.
Time indeed! she gets time to read all she
wants. and hear her piano going many q time
when I'm not half through NY mornings work.
A nice looking house we would have. If lshirk-
ed things in that kind of way, yet Tendril keeps
preaching up Mrs. Glover to mo the whole time.
Just rs much judgment rs men have!
o, here hc comes! I wish you wouldn't
walk with your hands in your pocket, Tendril,
Il makes me so nervous. Do come here and let
me brush your hair-why can't you keep your
hair little smootheri it's enough to make
neat woman ache to look at you Now just
see those footmarks on this clean carpet; sup
pose might beg you to wipe your boots on
the rug from now to next Christmas, without
producing any cffect-Betty! bring broom
and dustpan this minute; It does seem as though
should 60 crazy. What's that you say The
house smells rs damp as q burying.ground'
Now, Tendril, what's the use of talking in that
ridiculous wayl I've only been having the
basement floors done off with soap and sand.-
You 'don'twant to be delugcd the whole timer
o, no--of course not; you'd like to live in the
dirt, like mole, IL you had your way. What
are you about, Tendrili Don't open that win
dow. for goodness sake You're mot bat.
nor an.owl. to SEQ in the dark = Pshaw, II
isn't dark-only kind Of pleasant, subdued
light. I don't wan'tmy carpets blcached white,
whatever your precious neighbor, Mrs. Glover,
may think about hers.
II you could get along just rs we'll without
that everlasting rock-rock, Tcndril. You will
wear right through the carpet, besides my poor
nerves-but Of course you don't care for them.
Mercy on US! II the man hasn't gone and bounc-
ed right into that chair spent two years eu-
broidering lovely pair Of brigands on! Get
right up, Teud'il-that chair isn't made to. sit
on. 'what Is II for, then,' you'd like to know !
why, to look at, of course. Now, I know It was
you who threw the newspaper on the soia, just
as well as though saw you do It. And there's
your hat on tho hall tablo-what do you sup
pose the hat-rack Is made fort declare, Ten
drill. you are enough to drive q body distracted.
l never have n minutes peace when You are
around. and II wasn't as meek MS an angel.
shouldn't bear so quietly with all your tam
trums. o, yes! bang the door; it's proper
return 70 the poor wife who is shaving herself
to death for you!
There. he's gone; and I'm willing to wager
anything hc will spend the evening at John
Clover's house. He's always saying Mrs. Clo-
YER can talk about something besides scrub
brushes and soap-and-water.. She always had
knack of bewitching people. I'd just like to
peep into her china-closet, though; 1 warrant
that II looks like rats nest, and I'm almost
sure could find dirt In the corners Of her eel.
lar. As though woman could be too neat!
o, dear! there isn't much use in trying to do
ones's duty in this world. It's so lonesome
these long evenings with Tendril gone. wish
knew any way to amuso him and keep him at
home. II isn't my fault he's so fond Of going
of I'm certain. He never seems to take any
comfort at home, like other men I wish knew
the reason why!