, 1865-05-19


work is never done, ,'-quOted Mrs. Keith.
She had just flushed her work for the even
ing Everything was tdied, and she was about
taking her sewing, when Mr. Keith upset vim
egar bottle, and bowl of gravy, in the kitchen
cupboard, rumagng after a knife that was in
his pocket all the time.
Mrs. Keith relinquished her idea Of a little
season of quiet and went out to set matters in
order again. Mr. Keith followed to oversee her
"a habit some men have -rrr-r
~ wish you would try and be little more
careful, Henry. You do not realize how many
things have to see to- a-.l
'Humph" said Mr.. Keith, sitting down in a
basket of freshly rOned clothes-'I never wohld
complain of such a triael If I-didn't know,
should think all women, were in slavery"
"And you would be correct, Henry, you have
not the faintest idea
"Nonserse, Maryl why, I could do all your
work and three times as much more, and get all
through by ten o clockWI3d
"Could you, ndeedH
"To be sure, if you could only give me the
"You shall have it, said Mrs. Keith quietly.
~ have long wanted to visit my Aunt Susan l
viii do SO now and you may keep house / shall
have to cook up something-''lboa i
GAS if / couldn't cookl You shall do nothing
of tile kind Mary, shall live like prince, and
you shall see how nice'I will Keep everything
You will hardly know the house whenyou re-
turn tr taai.f.ans.f Lto
II dare say" remarked Mrs Keith; but when
can 60 r'aaoi1aa ha- tisiif. oi ~ aia hsf0l
"To-m morrow, if you like9' 7,e
"And you.are sure you can manage T' .A
''Sure" what look he gave her; you shall
seeP rr,lrr1
Mrs. Keith laughed little to herself. when
her husband left her at the depot and turned
his steps homeward 60 clear up the breakfast
things, and prepare dinner. She only wished
she couldbe there; inyisble aud see him man
age. . r ~ "uH -AA/
''Let me see, soliloquized Keith on entering
the Kitchen, 'I'H wash the dishes first, and III
put on one Of Mary's dresses to Keep me clean !"
He fastened it round his waist with pin
rolled up his sleeves and Hooked about him. The
fire was out, but after much trouble he sue
ceeded in rekindling it, and then began upon the
dishes
He took them to the sink, plugged up the
spout, and put them to soak in a pail of cold
v ater. % e.lfr r..
"There, they're washed, said he to himseIf;
"now for something to wipethem on. I'll take
the table cloth. Such a fuss as women do make
about work. Why could.wash all the dishes
in tie ueighbohOod ina half day. This stew
pan smells of grease wonder what the mat
ter is with it2 There1 have got some smut on
my hapdl III wipe tof on the dish cloth
There it goes on to that china saucer, deuce
takeitl Iwish there was no smut Hillo, there
is one plate gone to smashl 1t was kind Of slip
perry. Oh, there goes the cream pitcherl And
I've stepped into that potatoe dish that / set
down on the floor to dry, and that's gone to the
shades Never mind accidents will happenl
guess I'll trim the lamps next-mother always
trimmed them in the morning. Confound them
how black the chimneys aren
Thus cOnYersing with himself Mr.. Keith put
the chimneys into basin a moment he had
heard it said that hot water was cleansing. So
he scalded the chimheys, ard the result was
about hundred differeutrpieces to each chin
ney.
"Good gracious" cried he ''Wbo'd have
thought. There, there's somebody at the door.
Illjqst step outa Lam, it can't be anybody
lcare for, so early as this. "-
Asmall boy presented hiIhselfr cycling Keith
with i'll suppressed mirth. "
"Be you mistress ofthe houseT'
''Yes-that is master, /" said Mr.. Keith with
dignity. What can do for your" is4i p
'sNothing, guess. Marin sent me over to see
if you-that is-f the mistress Of the house
would take care ofthe baby while she goes a
shopping" s- eJ.
"NoF' thundered Keith, ~ have other fish to
fry3' l ossi5 ots fa..l5mcs b'asr ol3ga7i
The boy put his thumb to his nose, and Mr..
Ksith, after slammihg the door-as men always
do when they are out oftemper-returned to the
kitchen. The fire was out and the room deci-
dedly smoky. l9eaA
"Tll go down cellar and bring up some COAL