Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-01
Miseeuat,eons.
FIVE MINUTES WORK.
BY MRS. FRANCES d. GAGE.

few stitches into my coat; it's getting SO
shabby"
"Its SO, Frank but really think you
had best take it to the tailor"
Take it to a tailor! BY George! but
that's huge idea. Why, there's not five
minutes work to be done, and the tailor
would charge dollar"
81 suppose he would, but I don't see
how l can do it to-day. Walter is very
fretful and you know he kept me awake
nearly all night
Little imp! 1t don't seem to me there
ever was SO cross young man. Always
SONS excuse! Well, you must mend my
coat, anyhow"
81 will try and find time.n
TRY just let him squall twill do him
good-strengthen his lungs"
| Then, you know, it is ironing day."
| ''Well, how many more excuses ? I'll
put it on, rips and all, if you are going to
make fuss"
"Oh, no, Frank, l did not mean to make
a fuss; but it's long job and one l am
| not used to; and with my dinner to get,
| and baby, and ironing. do not see yet,
how / can get it done. But I'll do my
best''
Such was the conversation that passed
between a young husband and wife of
eighteen months standing.
Frank Burton was what the world calls
real driver. He made anything that
went through his hands inure to his own
benefit. Everybody liked him because he
was so frank, and withal so honest and
upright in all his dealings with his Gus
toners He was well educated for bust
ness man; lived in society; had made up
his mind that he could support q wife,
and, according to his reckoning, save
omethng to boot Yes, to be sure he
could. There were six dollars week for
washing, and then quarters and dimes in
Vulnerable ortaking his lady acquaintance
to ride, to the theatre, to ice cream sa-
looms, balls, operas, etc.
"By George 7" he exclaimed, as he cast
up his yearly account, ''tha.'s huge enough
| to break fellow; thousand a year; it
won't do; I'll marry and settle down."
| SO he applied to Lizzie Forsyth to be his
wife; and he soon was in possession of
her.
A snug house was rented, and the work
of supporting wife began in earnest.
The five rooms cost two hundred dollars
year, and were prettily furnished
| Lizzie preferred to do all her work. Some-
! times by her needle she earned dollar
Frank, he brought home several clerks as
day boarders, at four dollars week.
| Still, with all this, he would tell his ac-
quaintances how much less it cost him to
live now he supported wife. He never
seemed for a moment to realize that she
it was who was saving all these expenses,
and that if he had not earned dollar,
her busy hands would have paid the rent
and kent him from STARVING
So the matter stood when he asked his
wife to mend his coat. Lizzie drew a
deep sigh after he was gone, and hurried
her dishes away as fast as possible.
The coat was of broadcIoth, and was
his wedding garment; but it was well
nigh wearing out, broken under the arms,
the cord and lining in rags, the sleeve
Innings broken loose, buttons worn off;
in fine, there was nearly days work.
She sat down to the coat with hearty
good will, determined to do her best.
Her needle flew fast, but every moment
| it had to be laid down to see to dinner or
hush the baby. The. hours wore away,
and though she did all she possibly could,
| the job was still undone at sundown.
Walter cried necessarily. He looked
pale and his eyes were dim. She then re-
membered Franks words, s'let him squall,"
and let him cry half an hour or more. Oh
how it wearied her to hear her darling cry
for his mother. Tears swan in her eyes
as she thought of her hard days work
and the want of appreciation of her labor.
She knew she was making his old coat
look almost as good as new. But he
would never think of the toll she had put
upon it. And what if he don't she mental
y said Il shall in my own spirit know all
have done, and that is enough
But Lizzie was strong hearted as well
as loving and dutiful. SO she shook of
her discomfort, and became as cheerful as
per getting, and with much managing had
Ill things done by the time that Frank
came in with his companions.
"My coat done Lizzie ?"
mo, not quite
There's IA woman for We, boys. One
half of them would let husband go out
# the elbows week before they would
turn aside from any plan of their own. All
the ironing completed, I'll be bound,
| Lizzie"
Lizzie was taking her biscuit out of the
| oven, and the young men did not see the
deep flush of pain that flashed over her
weary features.
''Will you bring in a pitcher of water,
please ?" she said pleasantly.
There it is again; when was bach l
had nothing TO do but hand my coat over
to the tailor, pay him dollar and twas
done in jiffy, and not any grumbling.
No water to fetch when fellows tired,
either" 4
Lizzie was nervous, was tired with
household work and care. She could not
endure his badinage, although half play
tul. She hastily set the biscuit on the Ia
BILE, and saying simply supper is ready"
stepped in the bedroom and then burst into
tears. Her tears did not flowlong, though
she was deeply and wrongfally hurt in her
feelings. Her heart gained in its natural
relief, and after pretending that she was
getting Walter asleep (Which she actually
did she bathed her eyes and came out,
washed her dishes, and sat down again TO
the coat.
Frank sat watching her flying fingers
| for an hOur Or two ne he laughed anu