Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-07-29
Was She to Blame L?
BY MRS. JULIA A. CARNEY.

81 do declare" exclaimed Mrs. John
Smith, "if that Mrs. Marshall isn't the
most shiftless woman ever knew She's
the poorest housekeeper in the village"
eyes !" chimes in Mrs. Jones, "shc is
the miserablest wife ever man had Who
wonders her husband has no energy 2"
mot l !" responds Mrs. Smith, he
never has dinner it to be eaten, nor a
room to sit down in when his work is done.
His clothes are never mended until it is
too late to make them look nice, and the
children arc always in squall when he
comes home. Poor man! | pity him
from the bottom of my heart"
Whether the little sigh that followed
this TRADE did como from the bottom of
her heart we leave the reader to judge.
1t was a well.known fact that, before the
aforesaid Mr.. Marshall met pretty Lizzie
Lewis, he had been welcome guest at the
house of Mrs Smiths father, and it had
been currently reported in the village that
John Smith had been accepted, in chagrin,
when the more favored lover proved in
constant.
These things were we'll known in the
sewing circle, where all this gossi p was
going on, but no one ventured on opposing
remarks, for Mrs. Smith was the wife of
the few men Of comparative wealth that
the little village possessed. "Compara-
tive" for men are deemed immensely rich
in u small town or village, whose whole
property would not amount to years
comfortable income in a city.
Mrs Foster at whose house the sewing
circle was holding its session, was new
conner in the village. She was a lady of
high culture and sympathising heart
Being herself housekeepcr of undoubtcd
excellence. she could afford to defend
one whose character in this respect was as
sailed
"Comc! come. ladies'" said she with
n thoughtful smile. you are cutting up
that poor woman's reputation faster than
you do the pieces for that quilt. Isn't it
almost time to be sewing them together
again? 1t may be plcasanter work, be-
sides being more scrviceable."
Some receiving the gentle rebuke kind
ly, as it was intended, Il few among whom
were included Mrs. Smith, seemed inclined
to resent and debate the matter.
"Well, for my part" said Mrs. Smith
tar,ly, 4" / think if woman neglects her
husband and children in that way, she
must expect to be talked about"
Are you sure she does neglect her
husband and chldrcn?" asked Mrs. Fos-
ter quietly.
"Sure!" was the indignant reply.
" Are not the children always ragged and
dirty? And don't he always have to wait
for his dinner, and hold squalling baby
while she hurries it up?"
Gas for the children" said Mrs Foster,
now really reused for the defence, " hap.
pen to know that the little crowd are all
carefully bathed every morning, at all
seasons, and in hot weather every night
before retiring. 1t is not their mothers
fault that they dig in the dirt all day,
while she is busy with other work, and
their rosy cheeks and bright eyes would
indicate that they are far better off than
those who are kept clean by being dc.
prived of air and exercise. With regard
to the husband, would simply ask if it is
such hardship for him to amuse his own
baby halfhours time while his over
tasked wife hurries up the family dinner !?
Had we not better give a little pity to her,
who is obliged to take care off all day in
the midst of so much work, and all night,
when she so much needs rest ?"
"I declare | never thought of that"
murmured several ladies with plying
looks.
"She might, at least, wash her own
dress once in while," spitefuly replied
Mrs. Smith
I" 1t would DO very easy for you, Mrs.
Smith," responded the defender of the
absent, "to order your servants with
calico dress, that is, if you ever conde.
scend to wear one. 1t is not quito so
easy for poor woman who has but the
one cheap print to keep it always clean
and whole, in the midst Of so much dirty
work, aud with that little crowd of chill.
dren claiming every moments notice."
II declare, Mrs. Foster. you are quite
Woman's Rights woman!' said Mrs.
Jones, anxious to turn the conversation,
and hide Mrs. Smiths too apparent dis.
confture.
"Any kind Of rights you please, Mrs.
JONES'" said Mrs Foster. smilingly, $50
they be really rights, and not usurpations.
l will not even restrict you to human
rights as some have done, for even the
birds of heaven and the beasts of earth
have their rights also, as sacred in the eye
Of their Maker as our own. The woman
who gives her whole time to her family.
and even ovortasks her slender stock of
physical strength for them, while her
brain is constantly occupied with routine
Of petty economies, and her temper grows
irritable through want of sleep and the
constant strain upon her nervous system,
is often condemned by US as poor house
keeper, because she cannot work the mir.
acle of accomplishing certain desirable re.
suits with insufficient means. Meanwhile,
other women, with ample means, few or
no children, aud every convenient arrange.