Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-05-11
MEG'S DOMESTIC EXPERIENCE.

Like most other young matrons, Meg began
her married life with the determination to be
model housckeeper. John should find home
paradise; he should always see a smiling
face, should fare sumptously each day, and
never know the loss of button. She brought
so much love, energy and cheerfulness to the
work, that she could not but succeed in spite
Of some obstacles Her paradise was not
tranquil one, for the little woman fused, was
over-anxious to please, and hustled about like
a true Martha, numbered with many cares
She was too tired sometimes, even to smile :
John grew dyspeptc after a course of dainty
dishes, and ungratefnlly demanded plain fare
/ Before the golden mean was found, however
Meg added to her domestic possessions what
young couples seldom get along without
family jar.
Fired with a houscwifely wish to see her
store-room stocked with homemade preserves,
she undertook to put up her own ourrant
Jelly. As John firmly believed that "my
wife was equal 10 anything, and took a nat
ural pride in her skill, he resolved that she
should be gratifed, and their own crop of
fruit laid by in a most pleasing form for win
ter use. Home came four dozen delightful
little pots, half barrel of sugar, and a small
l boy to pick the currants for her. With her
pretty hair tucked into a littlecap, arms bare
to the elbow, and checked apron which had
a coquettish look in spite of the bib, the
young housewife fell to work, feeling no
doubts about her success for hadn't she seen
Hannah do it hundreds of times The array
Of pots rather amazed her at FIRST but John
was so fond of jelly, and the nice little jars
would look so well on the top shelf that Meg
resolved to fill them all, and so spent long
day picking, boiling, straining, and fussing
over her jelly She did her best she asked
advice Of Mrs. Cornelius she racked her
brain to remember what Hannah did that she
had left undone she re-boied, re-sugared,
and restrained, but the dreadful stuff wouldn't
"jell."
Now in the first flush Of the new life, she
had often said
My husband shall always feel free to obring
a friend home whenever he likes. | shall
always be prepared there shall be no furry,
no scoding, no d scomfort, but a neat house,
cheerful wife and good dinner. John,
dear, never stop to ask my leave; invite
E whom you please, and be sure Of welcome
from me-
How charming that was, to be sure John
quite glowed with pride to hear her say it,
and felt what blessed thing it was to have a
superior wife But, although they had com.
pany from time to time it never happened to
be unexpected and Meg had never had an
! opportunity to distinguish herself until now
1t always happens so in this vale of tears
f it really would have been unpardonablo in
him to choose that day, of all the days in the
, year, to bring friend home to dinner unex-
pectedly. Congratulating himself that a
handsome repast had been ordered that morn
ing, feeling sure that it would be ready to the
minute and indulgng in pleasant anticpa
tions Of the charming effect it would produce
when his pretty wife came running out to mee
y him, he escorted his friend to his mansion
s with the irrepressible satisfaction of youn,
= host and husband.
c 1t is a world Of disappontments, as Johl
J. discovered when he reached the doye-cote
T The front door usually stood Hospitality open
t now it was not only shut but locked, and yes
. terday's mud still adornnd the steps Tn,
e paror windows were closed and curtaiued, nc
2 picture Of pretty wife sewing on the piazza
Z in white, with distracting little bow in hei
$ hair, or a bright eyed hostess smiling shy
e welcome as she greeted her guest. Nothing
d of the sort--ior not soul appeared, but
a sanguinary looking boy asleep under the cur
n rant bushes.
I'm afraid something has happened stel
n into the garden, Scott, while look up Mrs
n Brooke" said John, alarmed at the silenc
/ and solitude.
5 Round the house he hurried led by pun
J. gent smell of burnt sugar, and Scott strolle
C after him with queer look on his face. II
y paused discreety at a distance when Brook
l. disappeared, but he could both see and hear
and being a bachelor, enjoyed the prospee
W nightly.
p In the kitchen reigned confusion and de
IT spair one edition of jelly was trickled fror
y rpot to pot, another lay upon the floor, and tn
D third was burning gaily on the stove Lofty
'e with Teutonic phlegm, was calmly eatin
n bread and currant wine, for the Jelly was sti
in hopelessly liquid state, while Mrs Brook,
with her apron over her head, sat sobbing dii
mally.
"My dearest girl, what is the matter ?
10 cried John, rushing in with awful visions {
: scalded hands, sudden news Of aiilietion, an
- secret CONSERVATION at the thought OF III
10 guest in the garden.
!, " Oh, John, am so tired, and hot, an
~ crossed, and worried I've been at it ii
Z I'm all worn out Do come and help me-
n, shall die - and the exhausted housewii
~ cast herself upon his breast, giving him
"A sweet welcome ia every sense Of the wor,
= for her pinaiore had been baptized at Ii
= same fount as the floor
~ What worries you, dear ? Has anythin
i dreadful happened2" asked the anxious ohr
;s tenderly kissing the crown of the little cal
20 which was all askew.
n Yes" sobbed Meg despairingly,
r. "Tell me quick, then don't cry | ca
Al bear anything better than that out with /
i love-"
~ 70 " The-the jelly won't jell--and don
~ know what to do !"
H. John Brooke laughed then as he neyC
+. dared to laugh afterwards; and the derisiy
Scott smiled inyoluntarily as he heard III
hearty peal which put the finishing stroke |
poor Megs woe,
ID 8" Is that all Fling it all out of the wiz
e dow, and don't bother any more about j
y I'll buy you quarts, if you want il but ft
le heavens sake don't have the Mysteries, "a
,r I've brought Jack Scott home to Dime
c. and"
q "a man to dinner, aud everything in
t. muss. John Brooke, how could you do sue
1t a thing ?"
y Hush he's in the garden | forgot tn
e coniounded jelly, but il can't be helped now,
G. said John, surveying the prospect with a
IT anxious eye.
le "You ought to have sent word, or told m
s. this morning and you ought to have remem
? bered how busy was,' continued Meg, pet
il ulnatly for even turtle doves will peck whe
u ruhled.
ot 81 didn't know Il this morning, and ther
1t was no time to send word, for met him o
the way out, | never thought OF askin
10 leave, when you have always told me TO do a
II | like. never tried it before, and hang II,