The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1869-12-30
Written for tie News.
A DOMESTIC STORY.
As TOLD BY THE CLOCK.

saying their prayers with musical accent
and purloining preserves with commend
able adroitness.
My mistress, most adorable of women
made home paradise. But of late tn,
newspapers, once scanned carelessly, ,bega1
tO1absorb her attention. Her brow wal
knit with thought. She had protracteC
fits of signing, the cause of which I coulC
not divine. However, my curiosity wai
satisfied one evening, as she and Maste
sat by the dying embers. She turned t.
him with ahalf ashamed look, that sud
denly gave place to a spirit of determine
ton.
"Mr. Smith, these woman's Rights Con
ventiOns are sublime; don't you thinl
soH"
"Yes, with sublime changed adverbially
to modify ridiculous"
"My dear''-her voice was raised littlt
and spiced with .earnestness-"they ar,
gaining advocates every day, and will ac.
cOmplish such a noble work. No NOR;
halfpaid seamstresses, clerks and teach
ers; no more ensIaved wives, in all oul
land. Every one with a spark of human.
ity in his breast must bid the cause God.
speed"
Upon my word, Maria, you are almos
eloquent, Osly that part about 'enslavet
wives, perhaps it sent thrill where the
spark of humanity is supposed to lin.
ger" he answered laughingIy, but she put
her arm afectionately around his neck.
"Fie, fel you know mean the drunk
ards wife. Is she not a slave in the most
abhorrent form ?"
"Go ask her. The law most gallantly
offers to protect her, but she places herself
between justice and her husband. We all
long to usher in the day when equal work
shall bring equal pay. It is slowly but
surely dawning."
"See here, a reporter says, 'In our town
ship male teachers receive $40 per month,
female $25'''
"Yes, a burning shame! The reform
has not reached that locality, but it is on
the move. In the same column you find
another report: In our schools, this year,
male and female teachers receive equiva-
lent salaries, woman having proved her
self an able worker And here a noted
merchant expresses himself willing to
give his lady clerks the highest salaries,
they having proved themselves worth the
money. Seamstresses- compete with each
other; man, happily, is almost outside the
question there. No right to vote will
speed the good work"
If Master had hooked less noble or low
ing, perhaps his wife would not have mis-
taken bare assertion for unanswerable ar
gument.
For time she seemed her lovely sell
again; fitting the children's garments
with matrOnly neatness, and lighting
home with her radiant smile.
But alas ! the ladies of our village sud.
denly awakened to find themselves under
the subjection of tyranncal lords, and the
terrified but determined sex call upon
Mistress with the cry, "what shall we do p
She was soon leading spirit among them
manuscripts and visits occupied her time
Master seemed, at first, amused, but on,
day he came home with a troubled face
| Mistress soon after arrived. The greeting
kiss was forgotten.
ave had large and enthusiastic meet
ing, to-day"
81 trust, my dear, your zeal for the mil
lions will not cause you to forget you
family. The children are left to them
selves too much. I miss you. The queer
has left the throne"
1.-The family will do very well withou
me. The fact is, Mr.. Smith, Pm going ou
on lecturing tour this winter"
"Maria, you are not in earnest?"
eyes, it is my duty. Norah is trust
worthy"
can Irish servant have charge of tn,
children !"
alt will not be for long. Once admitted
to the ballot"
mo, once there, your work is just be
gun. have heard scores, yes, hundred
of your sex complain bitterly of too mucl
to do. Their present cares Overwhelm them
What earthly good can be derived from as
suming this new responsibility, and doub
ling the present vote? Admit the right
is it, in the name of reason, is it expedi
ent ?"
"My promise cannot be broken"
Master was horror-stricllen. From tha
time there was change in him, and SAT
as the confession makes me, 1 am boun,
to say that from truth-lOving man he de
generated into smiling hypocrisy, allow
ing himself to be considered an advocat
of Woman's Rights, and spending his sol
itary evenings with restless steps to an,
fro in our once mirthfuI sitting-roOm.
Norah took possession of our Eden
thumped little Rob with her hard hand
and kept Lucy's eyes wet with tears by he
violent seedlings.
To-day the children had company afte
romping games Mary Brown and Luc
came in to rest by the glowing fire.
! '-Oilg MIL " YOU wear Stltll 4 lOTptl UE6sSs
| ayes, it's been tored most week"
"Why don't your ma mend it?"
"She aint got time. She's so busy look
ing over law books. We're all gOin' T.
vote like men and boys, and we can shoe
off fire crackers, and march in tOrch-Iigh
professions and have jolly times !"
Il don't want to. wonder then if girl'
/ won't swear. and chew tobacco, and driul
whisky? Not all, but some of 'em %
Just here, grevious sobs rent the air ant
NOrah rushing into the room, sank into
chair, covering her face with her hands
Lucy climbed up to comfort her, but sh
busrt forth in lamentations.
''Ich, had luck to the likes of me! NJ
darlint Pathrick's mad wild me for wantin
me rights and he says if I'm afther hav
in election days for misilf aud no warn
dinners for him. and bein' road-taxcd ant
poll-taxed, it's more'n he'll stand, and ou
engagements all broke, and it's me that
lift desClate, sure"
The mantIe-tree is covered with dust
the lanp-chimney, smoked to blackness
, Masters socks are toeless, and the chill
dren have forgotten their evening hymns
Chaos seems inevitable. What will be
come of houses when their cheesy, comfort
giving, heaven-ordained keepers forsak
! then1 KOr bVOadeY ~ fields Of usaFlI nass