Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1870-03-10
LoNLY A FARMERs WIFF
BY MARY W. STANLEY GIBSON.

Two women sat together, at sur
set, in the porch door Of a whit
cottage that stood under the "ol
ancestral trees" and "among th
fields OF wheat and corn" like po
cts vision ofa quiet resting plac
for sonic weary, suffering human
soul.
And zone of those two womeI
had eyes to see, ears to hear, and
heart I'd feel and appreciate it all
She was a tall and stately lady, ap
parently some thirty years Of ag
not exactly handsome, but with
grace df air and manner peculiar
ly her own. The careful toilet, tht
nameleSs air of elegance and luxu
ry, thepale cheek and soft whit,
hand betrayed the city dame.
While the weary glance in he
large, dark eyes, which even til,
pleasant quiet of that sun set houI
could not quite drive way, showed
that Time had not dealt gently
with het and her hearts idols, bu
had thrown them, shattered and ru
med at her feet
Her companion was some five
years hsr junior, and many times
prettier- a little round faced, apple
checked woman, with dark blue
eyes and dark brown hair, and {
rounded figure that was set OFF tc
the Disadvantage by the afternoon
dress Of tinted muslin that SHE
At present the pretty face was al
most spoiled by a querulous dis.
contentea expression. She was
contrasting her own hand, plump
and small, but certainly rather
brown, With the slender white fin.
gers of Her city friend, all glittering
with rings
aJust look at the two p she ex-
claimed. "That comes Of making
butter and cheese, and sweeping
and dusting, and washing dishes
and making beds all the time!-
That man told the truth who said
that woman's work is never done.
| know mine never is. Oh, dear!
dear! to think that you Margaret,
should have married merchant,
and be as rich as princess in a
fairy tale. and here l am planted
for life, lain Mrs Hiram Parke,
and nothing in the world to com
l,aro with 5nnL am sick of being
only a farmers wife!"
Margaret Van Howth looked
down at her grhmbling little friend
with a sad smile
Jenny, it seems to me, as we sit
here in this quiet place, and
look out over all these pleasant
fields that are your own-it seems
to me that you are almost wicked
to talk like that"
II dare say" replied Mrs. Jenny ;
'but you would not like it, Marga-
ret. You would never wish to
change places with me-"
"Perhaps not. Would you like
to change places with me 2'
"Yes.'
"And be Mrs Van Howth, in
stead of Mrs Hiram Parke :"
Jenny hcsitated. She dearly
loved her handsome husband.
"Well, ! don't mean that ] want
to give up Hiram she said at last.
81 only mean that I wish he was a
city merchant instead Of farmer,
and as rich as your husband is;-
that is ALL"
"And that is a great deal, said
Mrs. Van Howth, coldly. Jenny,
if your wish could be granted, do.
you know what your life would
be ?"
"What yours is, Isuppose, What
any lady's is in your position"
"Exaclly, But what is that life ?
Do you know p
"How should II"
ait is a weary one, Jenny, with
more genuine hard work in it than
all your making of butter and
cheese can bring"
80, Margaret SD
"And, oh, Jenny Believe me,
my dear, there ara no people Oh
earth who work harder Uhan the
'ashionables who only have their
1wn amusements to provide for
A life of mere amusement is adog's
ife, Jenny, at the bestn aue
Il should like to be convinced of
t by actual experience said Jen-
ny, doubtingly,
$50 / said and thought once l
lave been so convinced. And it is
III vanity and vexation OF spirit,
ny dear"
"But how?' persisted Jenny,
"How? In ten thousand ways.
If YOU live in the fashionable world
you must do as the fashionable
world does. You must rise, and
lress, and shop, and lunch, and
live, and dress again and appear
It certain balls, parties or concerts
Exactly as your friends do, or be
-oted bizarre, and out Of the world
iltogether. You, my poor Jenny,
Who are by no means fond of dress,
What would you do at fashionable
Watering place in the hottest days
# August, with five changes OF toll
t between morning and night, and
French lady's maid to tyranize
,ver you all the time into the bar
,ain p
Horrors !" calculated Jenny,
"Balls that you must go to in
pite of fatigue, parties that you
oret crraco in eDita Of the heat |