The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-06-26
How Mr.. Keith Managed.


Mans work is from sun to sun,
but woman's work is never done, ;"
quoted Mrs. Keith.
She had just finished her work for
the evening, everything was sided,
and she was just taking up her sewing
when Mr.. Keith upset vinegar bot
tie and bowl of gravy in the kitchen
cupboard while rumaging after knife
which was in his own pocket all the
time.
Mrs. Keith relinquished her idea of
to set matters in order again. Mr..
Keith followed to oversee her, a habit
which some folks have.
| wish you would try to be little
more careful Henry. You do not re-
alize how many things | have to see
to.
Humph E" said Mr.. Keith, sitting
down in basket of freshly ironed
clothes; :" / never would complain of
such a trife as that! IF [ didn't
know | should think all the women
were in slavery"
And you would be correct, Henry.
You haven't the faintest idea"
Nonsense, Maryl Why, / could
do all your work and three times as
much more, and then get all through
by ten o'clock?"
Could you, indeed?"
lie 9lTlp be. sure. if you would only give
to visit my aunt Susan. | will do SO
now, and you may keep house. shall
have to cook up something"
AS if I couldn't cook! You will
do nothing of the kind, Mary. shall
live like a prince, and you will see
how nice will keep everything You
will hardly know the house when you
return"
81 dare say, remarked Mrs. Keith,
: but when can | go?
Tomorrow, if you like"
And are you sure that you can
manager
"Sureln what look he gave her /;
You shall see.
Mrs. Keith laughed little to her
self when her husband left her at the
depot, and turned his steps homeward
to clear the breakfast things and pre-
pare dinner. She only wished she
could be there invisible, and see him
manage.
Let me see," soliloquised Keith,
entering the kitchen, I'll wash the
dishes first, and III put on one of
Mary's dresses to keep me clean.
He fastened it around his waist with
pin, rolled up his sleeves, and look
ed about him. The fire was out, but
after much trouble he succeeded in
rekindling it, and then began to wash
the dishes.
He took them to the sink, plugged
up the spout, and put them to soak in
pail of cold water.
''There they're washed said he to
himself; now for something to wipe
them on. I'll take the table cloth.
Such fuss as women do make about
work. Why, | could wash all the
dishes in the neighborhood in half a
| day. This stew pan smells of grease,
[ wonder what's the matter with it
There I've gotsom smut on my hand
/ There it goes on the China saucer
deuce it! / wish there was no smut!
Hillo, there's one plate gone to smash
/ Oh! there goes the cream pitcher
And [ have stepped into that potato
dish that / set on the floor to dry, anC
that's gone to the shades never mind
accidents will happen. | guess II
trim the lamps next, mother Away;
trimmed the lamps in the morning
Confound 'em, how black the chin
neys are.
Thus conversing with himself, Mr.
Keith put the chimneys into the basin
and cogitated a moment. He hao
heard it said that boiling water was
cleansing. So he scalded the chimney
and the result was about hundred
different pieces to each chimney.
Good gracious!" he cried, who q
have thought It'll There's somebody
at the door. 1t can't be anybody
care for, so early as this. -
A small boy presented himself
cycling Keith with Unsurpassed
mirth.
Be you the mistress of tn
house?"
: Yes-that is, | am the masterl'
said Mr.. Keith with dignity, $ wha
can | do for your"
Nothing, | guess. Marin sent m
over to see if you-that is-if tn
.a7