Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-03

A sTORY FOR HUsBssDs.
How Mrs. Keith Fianaged.


and she was taking up Ier sewing, when
Mr.. Keith upset vinegar bottle, and
bowl of gravy in the kitchen cupboard,
rummacing after Iiis knife which was III
his pocket all the time. Mrs. Keith re-
InGuisbed her idea Of a little season of
quiet. and went out to set matters ia or
der again. Mr.. Keith followed to over
see her-a habit some men have.
II wish Won would try to be little
more careful. Henry. You do not real
ize how many things / have to see to-"
.sHumphr7 said Mr.. Keith, sitting
down in a basket of freshly ironed
clothes; Il never Wonld complain of
such a thingas thatl If l didn't know,
1 should think all of the women were
in slavery"
land you would be correct, Henry.
You haven't the faintcst idea"
Nonsense, Maryl Why, L could do
more, aud get all through by ten
O'Clock"
''Could you, indeed?"
..TO be sure, ii you would only give
me the chance oft,
..You shalt have it" said Mrs. Keith,
quietly. 81 have long wanted to visit
my Aunt Susan. | viii now do So and
you may keep house snail have to
cook mp something"
las If couldn't cookl You will do
nothing OF the kind. Mary. shall live
like prince. and you will sec how nice
1 viii keep everything. You will hard
ly know the house when you return"
Il dare say, remarked Mrs. Keith;
but when can | go?"
Tomorrow, If you ike.
aud are you sure you can man
age?"
"Surer what a look lie gave her;
''y0u shall see.
Mrs. Keith laughed little to herself
when her husband left her at the depot,
and turned his footsteps homeward to
clear the breakfast things and prepare
dinner. She only wished she could
be there invisible and see him man
age.
s'Let me see," soliloquized Keith,
entering the kitche I'm wash the
dishes first, and III put one of Mary's
dresses on TO keep me clean"
He fastened it around has waist with
pm, relied up his sleeves and looked
about him. The fire was out. but after
much trouble he succeeded ia rekin-
ding it, and then began the dishes
lie took them To tine sink, plugged
up the spOut, aud put them to soak lii a
pail of cold water.
"There, they're washed, said lie to
himself; ''nOw for something to wipe
them on. I'll take the table clo.h
Such fuss as women do ILake about
work. Why, L could wash all the
dishes In the neighbOrhoOd IN half a
day. This stew pan smells of grease.
j wonder what's the matter with it?
There, I've got some smut on my
handl there it goes on that china sau-
Ger, deuce take it, / wish there was no
smut; hillo, there's one plate gone to
smashl Oh, there goes the cream pitch
err Aud I've stepped into the potato
dish that set on the floor to dry, and
that's gone to the shades. Never mind;
accidents will happenl / guess Ill trim
the lamps next; mother always trimmed
the lamps lii the morning. COnfOund |
them; how black the chimneys arel"
Thus cOnversing With himself, Mr. |
Keith put the chimneys into the basin,
ami cogitated a moment He had
heard il said that boiling water was
cleansing So he scaided the chimneys
a.
pieces to each chimney.
''GOOd graclOuS! he cried, who'd |
have thought it, There's so melody at |
the door. Ill step out as L am. It |
can't he anybody that L care for so ear
" as this.
a small boy presented himself, eye
ing Keith with Unsurpassed mirth.
BE you mistress of the houSp?"
''Yes-tEat is, am the master, sad
Mr.. Keith. with dignity; ''Syhat can
do for yOu?'
Nothing, L guess; nam sent me over |
to see II yOu-that Is, If the mistress of |
the house would take care of the baby |
while ste goes shopping"
mol" rOared Keith, I've ether fish |
to fry"
The boy put his thumb to his nose,
and Mr.. Keith, after slamming the door, |
as men always DO when they are out of |
temper, returned to the kitchen. The
fire was all out, and the room decided |
" smoky.
''I'l 20 down to the cellar and bring
up some coal, said lie. a.
Aud he started briskly down the |
stairs. On the second step he put his |
foot into rip in his dress, stumbled |
aud fell to the bottom of the cellar,
smashing basket of eggs, and knock
ing over a shelf loaded with pans of
milk
Deuce take it!'' said lie, scrambliDg
to his feet, aud rubbing his head, chow
do women manage with these internal
long dresses? shall break my neck
with this yetT'
The fire made again, Mr.. Keith be- /
thought him of dinner. He looked al
the tIme-piece; it Was one O'clock--al-
most time for dinner. What should he
have for dinner? lie hal heard his
wife say that a rice pudding was easily |
made; he would have a rice pudding
aud boiled potatoes and broiled steak. |
He filled basin with rice, stirred In /
little sugar, dropped Ii an egg, and
set the vessel into the even. Tie po-
latoes he washed In soap sUds, that they |
certainly might be clean, and put them /
INTO the tea kettle because they would |
boil quicker.
The steam was frizzIng in the frying
pan; he was proceeding to set the table |
when the door bell rang He caught |
the pan from the fire, 10 keep it from |
burning, and made haste to the front |
door: Then he remembered it would /
lot De Just the thing to go to the door J