The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1871-07-06
STRAWBERRY FRIENDS.

pump, SOOu udtuIeu, iHOuGHlltoS Ai7
Manton 10 morning caller, who had been
entertaining her with an account OF the
"nasnnness dad inh0spttality," as she
termed il. OF a mutual friend, who had re-
moved 10 4 small suburban home IN their
vicinity.
80, I'm certain you wouldn't; even
country life could not make you parsimo
NOUS" replied The visitor. at does
seem. though, as if farmers were the most
penurious people IN the world; all they
have to do is TO piaG. and reap, and
make Us city people p9y them their prices
for it.
I've always thought l should enjoy
country If" replied the hostess, eve re
all So Iold of milk, and cream, and fresh
bGttel, and buttermilk, and berries; and
then vegetables taste so much better
when gath red fresh for the table, than
when they have been exposed for days IN
tie sunny windows of hucksters and gro
GERS ar endeavoring to persuade Mr.
Manton to purchas a lovely little place
few miles out. where we can enjoy those
comforts Of life without paying for them.
The children aud | love So 10 gather Der
Tie- fresh from the bush. and | do enjoy
SWIMMING milk and taking up the rich
yellow, newiy-churned butter, aud then
the delicious butterDilk; it fairly makes
nv mouth water TO think OF 1t. o, l
do think country life perfectly charm
NJ"
'Delightral." echoed the friend, "and
| only hope Mr. Malton will be persuaded
to purchase in the country, so that l can
have one nice cool place to visit IN such
dr., DUSTY, not weather as this" And
vita this, to say the least, selfish remark,
eRe took her leave.
Mrs. Manton, true to her word, impor-
tuned her husband continually, to pur
chase the suburban home in question,
until he wearicd Of the subject. Never
theless she persuaded him that 10 air was
equal % country air, no fruit or berries or
vegetables, or milk, or cream, or butter,
equal 10 those obtained from ones own
premises without expense, and to cap the
climax, no life equal to country life. He
had his misgivlng at times about the prac-
ticablity Of his schemes, as his business
was established in the city and he could
give no attention to a farm, however
small, but Ms VI .nton settled that ques.
ton by repi ing that she and the Children
could m4n Sc il admirably, and it would
be such pleasure TO drive him back and
forth to the city, morning and evening
the ride alone would be the best panacea
tor illness.
Thus after a time he came to regard the
matter through his wite's spectacles, and
the purchase was made toward the close
Of the wiuter, aud the first days of spring
found the family pleasantly domiciled ia
their new home. Mrs. MantOn had read
Mr Saealys work entitled Ten Acres
j ou- h For Farm" and as she did not
wish IA farm, considered five quite enough
for her purp Dse Her house was in good
repair, ard the gard fruit and shrubbery
had been carefully fenced the previ us
year by te.ant 30 that she looked for
ward 10 very happy summer.
" it'll the a prOach OF warm weather
cane Work enough, but Il steady man who
u4dcr>JoC the care OF a garden, was en-
gagged to 90 all the rough work and Mrs
Manlol aud her two boys bravely kept
their word and weed d and hood diligently
late and carly The fruit blOssomtd finely
AID gave promise Of an abundant harvest
The season, however, happened to be a
very dry one, and many blossoms failed to
mature. Berries, particularly, felt the ef-
feet OF the drou ght, still there was a sufli
uIent supply for the table fresh from the
vines, and hopeful Mrs MtntOn reasoned
that by little self denial there would be a
few 10 can and preserve for winter stores
With the labor OCCasiOned by the care
and cultivation of flower and fruit gar
den, the care of milk, butter making. III e.
ordinary family house work, ana the time
occupi d il conveying Mr. Manton to and
from his place of business, Mrs. Manton
foun but little time for visiting. Country
life, whila it brought her most of the Ink
vries in which she so delighted, also
brought with it, great abQnJja4ee of work,
dliicult to keep servants, and she was
often forced 10 90 all her work with ONLY
the aid Of her children and a davis helm
occaslohaiJ. SLill she did not complain !;
u hau Gee her wish to remove in the
country and she was determined to meet
Annoy ances and difficulties bravery. Her
puny, delicate boys were growing strong
aud athletic and she herself enioyed ro
bust health. She was we'll aware that in
pecuu larry view farming had thus far en-
tireiy Jailed to pay, for every pound of
butter taat Was churned ana every quart
OF berries that were "a. iered, had cost as
much as they could have been purchased
Ter at the huckstcrs and grocers in the
city. she could not understand how il
VS., but 1t was nevertheless a fact, and
she solaced herself with the reflection
that the season was an unusually dry one
ana that she did not yet fully understand
managing her new situation But she
ceased 10 blame farmers for being parsi-
m, nioas, and learned that nothing grew
sponian ously, but required constant
la3 n and care from the time the seed was
planted until truition and harvest.
Her city friends had waiter impatientlv
Tor an invitation to pay her and extended
VISIT WIN the advent Of June came
warm and dusty weather, which caused
the denlzens OF the crowded CITY 10 long
LOT the ehJnypsGnt OF rambles over green
neios ana Walks beneath the shadows of
lhs Wooas and orchards. One Monday
morn-,ng Mrs. Linton said to her husband
~ the breakfast table, NV dear, I think
Mrs. NautOn has forgotten To invite us 10
pass few days with her during straw
berry time. The berries are almost gone
and | think | will wait no longer tor 9
special invitation, for I'm sure she'll he
gttd to see us, SO order hack at once
and i take the children and spend the
Week and when Bridget has finished her
washing, she can clean house as | had in
tended she should do, when | was to make
the visit"
Mrs Nanton's washing was done, and,
Tired with her mornings work. she had
just set out picked up lunch for the fam
~ NAiAiA, l, AAJCuNluS 10 gather straw berries
Curldg the afternoon for preserving. A
shower had fallen a few DAYS previous. and
developed the last growth of the berries.
promising greater yield thus late in the
season than had been expected. The un.
expected arrival of Mrs. Linton, her three
children lthc youngest but four years old(,
ami nurse girl, at this juncture caused
some emotion, not to say disappointment.
Bat CHEEKY Mrs Maaton made the best of
It, as she did Of everything. 1T is so for
tInate, said she TO herself that have
glrl II the kitchen; for though not verv
good one, She is better than none, and will
enable me to give some time to entertain
ing NJ ; Linton. | will delay gathering
tao berries until evening, ana lay aside the
ironing until next week" She was really
glad to see her friend, and after making
some additional pre- parations for tea, seat
ea herself with her in the cool, airy par
Tor, to have social chat, while Mrs. Lin
ton Children and their nurse, anxious to
make the most of the country, went out to
walk
just before tea they returned. covered
vi straw berry stains from head to foot,
Jaai, me eldest, having her apron full of
the cholC' 81 NeTOcuaS, roses and perani