The Van Buren press., 1871-06-13
MIScsLLANY.'
Five Minutes Work.
BY MRS. FRANCES D. GAGE.

| Il rev StIlcHes luto NY COat IL , Selllns
50 shabby.
Its SO Frank; but really think you
had best take it to the tailor. p"
Take it to a tailor. BY George
but that's huge idea. Why. there's not
i've minutes work to he done, and the
t.ilor would charge a dollar.
Il suppose he would, but don't see
how can do it to day Waller is very
fretfuI and YOU know he kept me awak
nearlv all night. >
"LitIl. lamp! 1t does not seem to me
there ever was so cross young one
Always some excuse! Well, you must
mend my coat ANYHOW
Il will try and flnd time. "
Try! just let him squaIl twill do
| him good-strengthen his lungs.
Then, you know, it is ironing day >
"Weil, how many more excuses? I'll
put it Oh, rips and all, ifyoI are going
TO make a fuss.
"Oh, no, Frank, did not mean to
make fuss; but its 4 loag job, and one
am not used to; and with my dinner
to get, and baby, AMI ironing do not
see yet, how can get it doue. But LII
d. my bes,.
Slch was The conversation that passed
between 70 ing husband and vile ol
| tig lteen months standing.
Frank Burton was what the worl calls
: real driver. He made anything thai
went through his hands insure to hi,
own benefit Ever body liked him be.
cause he was 50 frank, and wilhal s.
honest and upright in all his dealings
with his customers. He was well edn
Gated for business man lived in socie
"; hat maue up his mind that he could
support wNe, and, according to Iii,
reckoning, save something to boot. Yes,
to be sure he could There were s.x
dollars u week for board, one dola a
week for washing, and then larters aud
dimes innumeraIlc for taking his lady
acqnaIntances to ride, to the theatre, TO
ice cream saloons, balls, operas, etc.
by George" he exclaimed, as he
cast up his yearly account, " that shuee
enough to break fellow; n thousand q
year, it woat do; | Il marry and settle
| down" "
SO he applied to Lizzc Forsyth to be
his wife; and he was soon in possession
of her.
A snug house was rented, and the
work of supporting wife began in ear.
nest. The five rooms cost two hundred
dollars year. and were prettily furnish.
ed Lizzie preferred to do all her work,
Sometimes by Der needle she earned u
dollar extra. Then, rs it was a little
lonesome for Frank, he brought home
several clerks as day boarders, at four
dollars week. Still. with all this, he
would tell his acqlaintances how much
less it cost him to live now he supported
wife lie never seemed for moment
to realize that she it was who was saving
all these expenses, and that if lie had not
earned dollar, her busy hands would
have paid the rent aud kept him from
starving.
SO the matter stood when hc asked his
wife to mend his coat. Lizzie drew a
,lccp SIGH after he was gone, and hurried
her dishes away as fast as possible.
The coat was Of broadcluth, and was
his wedding garment; but it was well
uiRl wearing out, broken under the arms
tie cord AMI linin. il rags, the sleeve lin.
ings brokeh loose, buttons worn off ~
fne, there was nearly days work She
sat down to the coat with hearty good
| all. Il termined t, do her best. Her
! nee lie 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 It'll undone at sundown.
Walter crie'l necessarily. He looked
pale, and his eyes were dim. She tlcn
remembered Franks words. "let him
sqlall, " and let him cry half an hour OF
more Oh, how it wearied her TO heal
her darling cry for it, mother. Tears
swan in her eyes as she thought OF hel
hard DAYS work and the want OF appre.
citation of her labor. She knew she was
making his old coat look almost ms well
n, new. But hew oull never think OF
the toll she hal put upon it. And what
| { he don't, she mentally said d" ! shall
n my own spirit know all have done
n that is enough.
But Lizzie was strong hearted as wei
IS loving aad dutitul. S, she shook oil
her d scontent, and became as cheerful
as possible Thea she worried through
supper getting, and with much manag
iny had all things done bv the time that
Frank came in with his companions.
My coat done, Lizzie 2"
M pnt uuite ~
"There's woman for We, boys. One
! half of them would let husband 60 ont
Of the elbows week before they won d
turn aside from any plan Of thei, own
Ali the ironing completed, Ill be bound,
L zzie. /"
Lizzie was taking her biscnit ont ofthe
oven, and the young men did not see the
deep flush of pain that flashed over her
weary features.
"Will you bring in . pitcher Of water,