Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-10-28
3Aistellanp.
Only "a Farmers Wife.

the porcn uoOr OF Whlte cottage that |
stood under its cold ancestral tree" and |
among its fields of wheat and corn, like |
a poets vision of quiet resting place
for some weary, suffering human SOUL
And one of these two women had
eyes to see, ears TO hear, and a heart TO
feel and appreciate it all. She was a
tall and stately lady, apparently some
thirty years of age-not exactly hand.
some, but with grace Of air and man
ner peculiarly her own. The careful
toilet, the nameless air of elegence and
luxury, the pale cheek, and soft white
hands betrayed the city dame. While
the weary glance in her large dark eyes,
which even the pleasant quiet of that
sunset hour could not quite drive away,
showed that time had not dealt gently
with her and her hearts idols. but had
thrown them, shattered and ruined at
her feet.
Her companion was some five years
her junior, and many times prettier-a
little round faced, apple checked woman
with dark blue eyes and brown hair,
and rounded figure that was set off too
the best advantage by the afternoon
dress of tinted muslin that she wore.
AT present the pretty face was almost
spoiled by queruous, discontented ex-
preston. She was contrasting her own
hand, plump and small, but certainly
rather brown, with the slender white fn-
gers of her city friend, all glittering with
rings.
Just look at the two !" sue exclaim-
ed. That comes of making butter and
cheese, and sweeping and dusting, and
washing dishes, and making beds ali the
time. That man told the truth that
/ said woman's work is never done. /
know mine never is. Oh, dear, dea ! to
think that you, Margaret, should have
married city merchant, and be as rich
as princess in fairy tale; and here
am planted for life, plain Mrs. Hiram
Parke, and nothing in the world to com
pare with you. am sick of being only
farmers wife
Margaret Won Howth looked down a
her grumbling little friend with a sat
smile.
Jennie, it seems to me, as we SIT herr
in this quiet place and look out over al
these pleasant fields that are all you
own-it seems to me that you arealmos
wicked to talk like that"
81 dare say but you would not like il
Margaret. You would never wish t
change places with me-
Perhaps not. Would you like t
change with me ?"
"Yes."
"And be Mrs. Won Howth instead o
Mrs. Hiram Parker"
Jennie hesitated. She dearly love
her handsome husband.
"Well, | don't mean that | want
give up Hiram. l only mean that
wish he was city merchant instead {
u farmer, and as rich as your husban
is; that is ALL
And that is a great deal. Jennie
your wish could be granted do you kno
what your life would be?' said MI
Won Howth coldly.
"What yours is. suPpos'. VIII
any lady's is in your position"
"But what is that life Do you know
: How should | y
at is a weary one, Jennie, with mo
genuine hard work in it than all yo
making of butter and cheese.
ooh, Margaret"
"And oh, Jenny, believe me, my det
!. there are no people on earth who wo
harder than the fashionables who on
{, have their own amusements to Prov
d for. A long life of mere amusement
dogs life, Jenny, at the best"
81 should like to be convinced OF
by actual experience" said Jenny dou
" iDgly.
$50 l said and thought once. l ha
been so convinced And it is all va
" ty and vexation Of spirit, my dear.
or But how ?" persisted Jenny,
"How? In ten thousand ways.
van live in the fashionable world, J
oil must do as the fashionable world dc
You must rise and dress and shop q
lunch. and dress again and drive, a
:. dress again and appear at certain pa
> narties. concerts, exactly as your frie
do or be voted bizarre, and out OF
h. world altogether. You, my poor Jen
d: who are by no means fond OF dress, "
ne ne would you do at fashionable water
nd place in the hottest days of AUGUST, "
five changes of toilet between morn
and night, and French lady's maid
f. tyrannize over you all the time into
my bargain.
Horrorsr' calculated Jenny.
is BALLS that you must go to IN spit
r.;,,a narties that YOU must grace