The weekly union record., 1866-01-20
An Amusing Domestic Sketch.
~Man's work is from sun to sun, bu

Man S WOTk is from sun 10 sun. but
woman's work is never DONE" quoted
Mrs. Keith. She had just finished her
work for the day, everything was tidied,
and She was taking up her sewing, when
Mr.. Keith upset vinegar bottle and a
bowl Of gravy in the kitchen cupboard,
rummaging after knife which was in
his pocket all the time. Mrs. Keith
relinquished her idea of a little season
of quiet, and went TO set matters in
order again. Mr.. Keith followed to
oversee her-a habit some men have.
Il wish You would try to be little
more careful, Henry. You do not realize
how many things l have to tend to-
''Hulnph!" said Mr.. Keith, sitting
down in a basket of freshly ironed
clothes; 81 never would complain Of
such trihe as that! If | didn't know.
l should think all the women were in
slavery"
'And you would be correct, Henry.
You haven't the faintest idea
Nonsense, Mary! Why, l could
do your work, and three times as much
more, and get all through by ten O'clock
"Could you, indeed :"
'To be sure, if you would only give
me the chance of it."
"You shall have it," said Mrs. Keith,
quietly. Il have long wanted to visit
my Aunt Susan. l will do so now,
and you may keep house. I shall have
to cook up something
GAS if l couldn't cook! You will do
nothing of the kind, Mary. Ishall live
like 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 you can manage!"
"Sure n'-what look he gave her.
"You shall see!'
Mrs. Keith laughed little to herself,
when her husband left her at the depot,
and turned his steps homeward to clear
the breakfast things and prepare dinner.
She only wished she could be there
invisible, and see him manage.
''Let me see," soliloquized Keith,
entering the kitchen; ''I'll wash the
dishes first, and I'll put on one of
Mary's dresses to keep me clean"
He fastened it around his waist with
a pin, rolled up his sleeves and looked
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 then 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 a 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; l
wonder what's the matter with it!
There, I've got some smut on my hand!
there it goes on the china saucer, deuce
take it. wish there was no smut !;
hillo, there's one plate gone to 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 the shades! Never mind; accidents
will happen! | guess III trim the lamps
next; mother always trimmed the lamps
in the morning! Confound 'em, how
black the chimneys arer'
Thus conversing with himself, Mr.. X.
put the chimneys into the basin and
cogltated a moment. He had heard it
said that boiling water was cleansing.
So he scalded the chimneys, and the
result was about a hundred different
pieces to each chimney.
Good gracious y cried he, who'd
have thought it! There's somebody at
the door; I'll just step out as l am.
1t can't be anybody that | care for, so
early as this
A small boy presented himself, eyeing
Keith with Unsurpassed mirth.
''Be you mistress Of the house"
es-that is, am the master -
said Mr.. Keith, with dignity; what
can | do for you p
Nothing, l guess Marin sent me