Weekly New Oregon plain dealer. (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1866-1867, 1866-11-09

will do SO now, and you may keep
house. I shall have to cook up
something-'
Gas if I couldn't cook. You
will do no such thing. Mary. I
shall live like prince, and you
will see how nice | will keep every
thing. You will hardly know the
house when you return.'
II dare say remarked Mrs.
Keith, ''but when can I go?'
"To-morrow if you like
"And are you sure that you can
manager --
"Surc"' what look he gave her;
"You shall sec -
Mrs. Keith laughed a 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 invisible,
and see him manage.
"Let me see," soliloquiscd Keith
entering the kitchen; I'll wash the
dishes first, and I'll put on one of
Mary's dresses to keep me clean.''
"Hc fastened it around his waist
with pin, rolled up his sleeves,
and looked about him. The fire
was out, but after much trouble he
succeeded in rckindling it, and
then began to wash the dishes.
He took them to the sink. plug
ged up the spout, and put them to
soak in a pal of cold water.
"Thcre 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 neighbor-
hood in half a day. This stew pan
smells of grease, I wonder what $
the matter with it? There, I've
got some smut on my hand! There
it goes into the China saucer; deuce
take it! I wish there was no smut
Hillo, there's one plate gone to
smash! Oh! there goes TIE cream
pitcher! And | have stepped into
that potato dish that / get on the
MOOR to dry, and that's gone to the
shades! never mind, accidents will
happen. I guess I'll trim the
lamps next, mother always trimmed
the lamps in the morning. Con
found 'em. how black the chimneys
are.'
Thus conversing with himself
Mr.. Keith put the cbimncys into
the basin and cogitatcd moment.
He had heard it said that boiling
was cleansing. So he scaldel the
chimney, and the result was about
a hundred different pieces to each
chimney.
"Good gracious!'' he cried,
"Who'd have thought it! Thcre's $
somebody at the door. 1t can't be
anybody I care for so early as this. -
A small boy presented himself,
cycling Keith with Unsurpassed
mirth.
''Be you mistress Of the house!'
"Yes-that is, | am the mas
teri" said Mr.. Keith, with dignity.
"What can l do for you?''
Nothing, / guess. Marin sent
me over to see if you-that is. if
the mistress of the house would take
care of the baby while she goes
shopping?''
"No!' thundcred Keith. "I'vc
other fish to fry
The boy put his thumb to his
nose, and after slamming the door
AS men are apt to do when out Of
temper-returned to the kitchen.
The fire was out and the room deci-
dedly smoky.
"I'll go down cellar and bring up
some COAL said he, and he started
briskly down the stairs. On the
second step he put his foot through
rip in his dress skirt, stumbled
and fell to the bottom of the cellar,
smashing a basket of eggs, and
knocking over a shelf loaded with
pans of milk.
s'Deuce take it!'' exclaimed he,
scrambling to his feet and rubbing
his head, chow do the women man
age with these long dresses? !
shall break my neck with this set. >
The fire made again Mr. Keith
bethought him of dinner. He looked