Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-01-17
TIE TIRED M0USEKEEPEE;
OR, COUSIN MARY'S DREAM.

"There, the last baby is asleep, and J
hope shall have ch4nce to BREATHE
exclaimed Mrs. Hewitt, throwing herself
into an easy.chair beside the workable.
where her cousin sat reading. ".No; j
have forgotten Williams dressing. gowr
and slippers" And the tired wife r's'
with sigh. and YEARLY brought these
comforts from the closet of an adjoining
room. A faint smile of pleasure slol'
over her features as she wheeled her hus-
bands chair around, PLACID the slippers
Just right, and then the drcssing,sown
gracefully across the chair.
aPlease, ma'am, will you step here a
minit?" called Bridget, from the hall.
"What shall we have for breakfast.
please ?" she asked, as Mrs. Hewitt closco
the parlor.door behind her.
The poor mistress was so wearied by
the cares of the day that she could moi,
Just then, recall the contents of the larder ;
and journey to the basement, and sun
dry orders to Bridget, consumed the next
quarter Of an hour.
"Mamma, mamma, Minnie wants a
drink" called out little voice from the
nursery, just as Mrs. Hewitt again opened
the parlor door.
"Oh, dear" exclaimed Mrs. Hewitt.
"there is no rest for me-" Yet she was a
tender mother; so she assembled the stairs,
gave the child drink, soothed her to
Sleep, carefully tucked the bed clothes
around all four of the little sleerers, (the
elder but ten, and descended noiselessly
to the parlor.
The sight of her cousin seated in ar
arm chair, by the blazing parlor CRATE,
book in hand, effectually destroyed the
feeling of happiness which mother
love was rousing in her heart; and Mrs
Hewitt was not the happy wife and moth
er, but the mere domestic drudge, toiling
her life away for Others all unthanked.
Mrs. Carleton, the cousin guest, was a
few years older than Mrs. Hewitt. She
was widow, and childlcss. Her coun-
tenance had an expression of deep sad
ness, when in repose: but desire to
make others happy, and an abiding sense
of the unerring wisdom of her heavenly
Father, made her so hsbitually calm and
cheerful, that strangers little dreamed
how much sorrow size had known; and
even friends were not aware of the effort
it sometime cost her to preserve cain.
exterior when some trivial circumstance
would touch one of the secret springs o!
memory, and lift the foodgates of sorrow.
submerging the soul in grivfs bitter wa
ters.. Like others, Mrs. Hewitt was de-
ceived, and, unmindful of her own greater
blessings, almost envied her gentle cousin
her changeful life and abundant leisure
elbow do you like The land and the
Book cousin, dear 2" asked Mrs. Hewitt,
once more seating herself at the shaded
gaslight, while Mrs. Carleton laid aside
her book, and took up her knitting work..
William brought home tho volume.
when it was first published, more than
three months ago, and have not ye;
found time to read two chapters; but yea
know overworked housckeepers have no
time they can call their own: / some.
times feel that am in state of intellcc-
tual starvation. Our means are limited,
and we can &eep but one servant SO
must be nurse, governess, and chamber
maid, besides experimenting the kitchen
affairs; and with family of fonr little
ones, get completely worn out in body
and in mind, and as | look in upon you,
now and then, during the day, Amos,
envy you the quiet lei ure, you enjoy.
But never have a moment for culture,
and probably never shall have; it is toll,
toll, all day, and even the nights are full
of care" Mrs. Hewitt sighed deeply.
while dark clouds Of discomfort and repi
ming rested on her brow.
q You have kind husband and pleas
ant home, Emma" said Mrs, Carleton,
gently. -.
aYes; but get SO worn out with care
and toll, that sometimes think will
coax William to board for a while, at
!. least till get rested" r. lied Mrs.
Hewitt. <g..
Boarding would only bring you less
enjoyment and added care," remarked
Mrs. Carleton.
"Perhaps so. There is no way for me
but, to toll on till die; so may as well
try to be contented" And Mrs. Hewitt;
sighed again, and bent her head down
over her work, to hide the starting tears.
Mrs. Carleton was troubled. She had