Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-07-28
HOW MR.. KEITH MANAGED.


ing up her sewing, when Mr.. Keith upset
vinegar bottle and q bowl Of gravy in It
kitchen cupboard, rummsging after knii
which was in bis pocket all the time. Mr.
Keith relinquished her idea Of a little seeso
Of quiet, and went out to set matters Va ora
again. Mr.. Keith followed to oversee her
habit some men have.
Il wish you would try ard DC little MOI
careful, Henry. You 10 not feelze no
many things l have 20 see TO-
Humnh T. s.id Mr.. Keith, sitting dow
in a baske, 81 freshly ironed clothes new
ar wouii complain Of such triAe as that J
I d;4n't know, should think all the wome
-efe in slavery
And you would be correct, Henry. 70
haven't the faintest idea
Nonsense, Mary Why, could do you
work. and three times much more and &c
all through by ten o'clock !
Gould you, indeed
ITO be sure, if you would only give m
the chance Of it..
you shall have it, said Mrs Keith, qui
ely. have long wanted to visit my Aun
Susan. will do so now, and you may keep
house. | shall have to cook up some thing
As if | couldn't cook You will do moth
ing OF the kind, Mary. / shall live like D,
everything. You will hardly know the house
when you return
/ dare say remarked Mrs. Keith; bu
when can go
Tomorrow, if you like
And you are sure you can manage
Sure i what look he gave her 20
shall see
Mrs Keith laughed little to herself whe 3
her husband left her at the depot, and turne
his steps homewsrd to clear the breakfas
things, and prepare dinner. She only wishe,
she could be there invisible, and see hi
manage.
Let me see, soliloquised Keith, enterin
the kitchen I'll wash the dishes first, an
I'll put on one Of Mary's dresses to keep n.
clean
He fastened it around his waist with pit
rolled up his sleeves. and looked about him
The FIRE was out, but after much trouble b d
succeeded in reminding it, and then bega
the dishes.
He took them to the sink, plugged up IT,
spout, and put them to soak in a pail of cold
water.
There, they're washed said be to him
self; now for something to wipe them on
I'll take the table cloth. Such fuss as wom4
en- do make about work. Why, could wasl,
all the dishes in the neighboThood in half Il
day. This stew pan smells OF grease won
der what's the matter with i'll There, Nv
got some smut on my hand there it goes on
that China saucer, deuce take it | wish ther
was no smut hillo, there's one plate gone
smash +! oh, there goes the cream pitcher
And I've stepped into that potato dish that |
set on the floor to dry and that's gone to tn
shades Never mind accidents will happen
guess III trim the lamps next mother al
ways trimmed the lamps in the morning Con
found EN-! how black the chmneys are
Thus conversing with himself Mr.. Keit
put the chmneys into the basin and cogitate
moment. He had heard it said that boiln
water was cleansing. So he scaded the chin
neys, and the result was about hundred diff
ferent pieces to each chimney.
Good gracious cried he, who'd hav
thought it There's somebody at the door,
I'll just step out as am. 1t can't be an,
body that care for so early as this
small boy presented himself, cycling Keit
with Unsurpassed mirth.
Be you the mistress of the houses
'Yes-that is, am the master i said M
Keith with dignity; wha' can do for you I
Nothing guess. Marin sent me over
see il you--that is--if the mistress of III
house would take care of the baby while sb
goes shopping.
NO Numbered Keith. I've other fl
to fly
The boy put his thumb to his nose, al
Mr.. Keith, after slamming the door--as m,
always do when they out of temper--re
turned IL his kitchen. The fire was out, a.
tic room decidedly smoky.
I'll go down cellar and bring up son
coal, said he, and he started briskly dow
the stairs. On the second step he PIT hi
foot through rip in his dress skirt-stum
bled and fell to the bottom Of the cellar
smashing 5asket of eggs, knocking over
shelf loaded with pans Of milk
Deuce take it ! exclaimed he, scrambin
to his feet, and rubbing his head, how
the women manage with these Internal Ion
dresses shall break my neck with TIA
yet =
The fire made again, Mr.. Keith bethoug
him of dinner. He looked at the time piec
1t was one o'clock. Almost time for caller
What should he have for dinner ! He ha
heard his wife say that rice pudding wa
easily made--he would have rice puddin
and boiled potatoes, and broiled steak
He filed basin with rice, stirred in a Ii
tie sugar, dropped in an egg, and set the We,
sci into the oven. The potatoes he washe
In soap suds, that they certainly might /
clean, and put them into the tea kettle b,
cause they would boil quicker.
The steam was frizzling in the frying pan
he was proceeding to set the table, when II
bell rang.
He caught up the pan from the fire.
keep it from burning, and made haste to III
front door. Then he remembered it woul
not be just the thing to go to the door witt
afrying pan in his hand, so he deposited
on the parlor sofa, and answered the ring.
Mrs. DIR. Nudge was on the steps, dressed
in her best.
Yes-I-dare say, stammered Keith
my wife is absent, and am playing Bridget
Walk in
Mrs. Nudge sailed into the parlor, which
was darkened to exclude the sun and withou
stopping to look at her seat. sunk into tn
frying pan on the sofa.
Jupiter cried Mr.. Keith, you've don
il now
Mrs. Nudge sprang up-the grease drip
ping from her rich silk on the carpet. He
face grew dark. She was tempered to sa,