The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-04-04
How Mr.. Keith Managed.

= woman's work Is never done, quoted Mr.!
Keith
She had just finished her work for tn
evening, every thing was sided, and sh
: was taking up her sewing, when Mr.. keit
upset a vinegar bottle and bowl of gray,
in the kitchen cupboard, rumaging after
knife which was in his pocket all the time
: Mrs. Keith relinquished her idea Of
little season of quiet, and went out to Sc
matters in order again. Mr.. Keith follow
: ! cd to oversee hor-a habit some men have
: ~ wish you would try and be NOR
careful Henry. You do rct realize hoy
many things [ have to see to.
"Humph," said Mr. Keith, sitting dowl
in basket Of freshly ironed clothes q
reger would complain of such trihe a
that IF didn't know, should think al
women iii slavery"
"Aod you would be correct, Henry
You wouldn't have the faintest idea"
Nonsense, Mary why could do your
!. work and three times as much more, and
get all through at ten o'clock"
Gould you, indeed?"
"To be sure, if you VOID give me tie
chance at ALL"
"You shall have it, said Mrs Keith
quietly. II have long wanted to visit MY
aunt Susan. will do SO now, and you
my keep house. l shall have to cook UP
something"
"As if couldn't cook. You will dc
nothing of tie kind Mary. I shall live
like Prince, and you will see how nice l
will keep everything. You Will hardly
know the house when you return"
Il dare say" remarked Mrs keith.
''bct when can so !?
Tomorrow, il you like"
"And are you sure you car lz,anagc? ii
"Sure !" what look he gave her "you
skall 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 invis-
ible ard soo him manage.
Let ne see," soliloquized Keith, enter
ing the kitchen ;''I'll wash the dishes first
and III PIT or ore cf Nary's dresses to
keep nc clean"
lie fastened it around his waist with a
pin, rolled Up lis sleeves, and looked
about him. Tie FIRE was out, but after
much trouble he succeeded in rekindling
it, and then began to wash the dishes.
He then took them to the sink, plugged
up the spout, aud put them to soak in a
pan of cold water.
There, they're washed" said he to
himself "now for something to wipe them
on [ guess III take the table CLOTH
Such q fuss as women do make about
work Why, could wash all the dishes
in the neighborhood in half day. This
stew-pan smells Of grease. | wonder
what's the matter with it? There, I've
got some smut on my hand There it goes
on that china and saucer, duce take it =
| wish there was no smut. Halo, there's
one plate gone to smash Oh, there goes
the cream pitcher. .Ard r'vestepped into
the potato dish tat : set en- the floor TO-
day, and that's gone to the shades. Never
mind, accidents will happen, [ guess III
trir the lamp next; mother always trim
med the lamp in the morning. Caniound
EN- how black the chimneys are"
Thus conversing with himself, Mr.. Keith
put the chimneys into the basin and cog
itated moment. He had heard 1t said
that boiling water was cleansing. So lie
scalded the chimneys, and the result was
about hundred different pieces to each
chimney.
"Good gracious" he cried, "who d
have thought it," There's somebody at
the door. I'll just step out as [ am. 1t
cant be anybody that l care for, so early
in the morning"
A small boy presented himself, cycling
Keith with Unsurpassed mirth.
''Be you tic mistress of the house ~
"Yes s-that is, am the MASTER said
Mr.. Keith, with dignity, "what can | do
for you 2"
Nothing, I guess. Marin sent me over
to see if you-that is-if the mistress of
the house wonld take care of the baby
while she goes shopping"
"No!' thundcred Keith. ''I'ye other
fish to fry"
The boy put his thumb to his nose, are
Mr.. Keith, after slamming the door-as
men always do when they are out of hu-
Mor-returned to the kitchen The fire
had gone out and the room was decidedly
smoky.
"PlI 60 down in the cellar and bring up
some COAL said he, and started down the
stairs.
On the second step he put his foot thI o
a rip in his dress skirt, stumbled and fell
to the bottom of the cellar, smashing
basket eggs, and knocking over 4 shelf
which was loaded with pans of milk.
"Deuce take it exclaimed he, scrambi
ling to his feet and rubbing his head, chow
do the women manage with these inferna
long dresses /? will break my neck yet."
The fire made again, Mr.. Keith betho't
him of dinner. He looked at his time
piece. it was one o'clock. Almost time
for callers. What should he have for din
ner? He had heard his wife say that
plum pudding and boiled potatoes and
broiled steak.
He filled the basin with rice, stirred in
a little sugar, dropped in an egg, and set
the vessel into the oven. The POI tatoes 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 izzling in the frying pan
and he was proceeding to set the table,
when the bell rang.
He caught up the pan from the fire--to
keep it from burning-and made haste to
the front door, Then he remembered il