Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-02-16

Like the thriving grain,
Twill soon grow double.
Instead of peace,
Ii strife increase,
Then try and quell 1t;
Think what you will,
OF good or ill
But pray don't tell it.
FIVE BACHELORS KEEPING HOUSE.
BY MARY CLARKE.
1T was warm evening in early June,
and in the parlor of a pleasant home in
- street, in the handsome city of Phila-
delphia, a merry party of young folks
were holding warm, laughing discussion.
Susy Arnold, the young hostess who
kept house for her two brothers,
Harry and George, took one side of the
question, while three other gentlemen, be-
sides her tall brothers, opposed her
Charley Grey, blue-eyed, curly-Eeaded
man, whose round face and boyish air
formed an apparent contradiction to the
assertion he made of having five years be-
fore attained his majority; Joe Morris,
who from a Spanish mother inherited
jetty hair and eyes, and pale complexion,
and from his father tall, fine figure, and
a frank, ingenious expression and Milton
Dacres, whose small figure and bashful
ways accounted fully for his nickname,
Minnie; these three, with the master of
the house, waged playful war upon the
little brown eyed maiden who sat so de-
murely on the sofa.
Say what you please" said Susy, you
will never convince me of the superiority
of man in the capacity of housekeeper."
"But maintain" cried Joe, that men
can keep house. without women; but that
women cannot do so unless we shall assist
them"
"For instance" said Harry, "when
your Biddy was sick last winter Sue,
how would such mite as you have
brought up coal, kept up the furnace fire,
and lifted about wood, unless your two
brothers had gallantly relieved you of
your care?"
"Not to notice that the furnace fire
went out three
A>trucep said George, laughing.
"That was my fault; but accidents will
happen in the best-regulated families as
somebody-name forgotten-once wisely
remarked."a
only wish you could keep house, for
would accept Aunt James invitation to
travel with her this summer, were it not
for leaving you"
"Iehave an idea," here cried Charley
Grey, !" an idea which, if you will agree
to act upon, shall fully cure the women
of the insane notion of their indispensa-
bility-ahem! that word nearly choked
me" -
"That ungallant sentence should have
quite strangled you" said Susy.
present company always excepted" !"
was the reply.
"The idea! let's have the idea."
Suppose we keep house here, while
Miss Susy travels"
~Herep" cried Sl1sy aghast
Yes-why not?
"But,n' said Susy, am sure Jenny
would not stay
1--WE don't want her; we want no wo-
men, ~
Visions of muddy boots on her parlor
sofas, cigar: in the flower vases, pipes on
the center tables, spittoons in the best bed
room, and frying pans in the library, fit
ted through the young lady's mind; but
before she could demonstrate Harry said :
" So be it! Hurrah for Bachelors Hail.
Pack up your trunk, Susy."
"But, Harry"
"Gloriousl' cried Charley; "not a pet
ticoat within the doors for month"
But"-again said poor Susy.
IN o fuses about Tobacco smoke in the
curtains" chimed in George
"But, brother"
won't it be gay?" =
"Gay!'" groaned the little housekeeper
Lay in supply of cigars, George" sug-
gested Joe. "W hen do you go, Miss
Susy?n
Monday! Aunt James letter says
Monday" said Henry.
Monday, then. We will come, bag and
baggage, Monday morning"
On an express stipulation that not a
woman performs stroke of work for US
for month" r
With many flourish, amidst the gayest
jests, George wrote solemn contract by
which they bound themselves to ask no
service of any kind at woman's hand for
one month from the date of the following
Monday, June -, 1860, and all put their
Signatures to the important document"
Susy, seeing that her brothers really
were in earnest, tried to think she was
glad to go, and added her laughing direc-
tions to the scheme proposed. At late
hour the conclave broke up, and Susy re-
tired with head full of plans, and heart
full of sore misgivings
Monday morning rose fair and clear
Six o'clock saw Susy drive away from the
door in the carriage, the trunk strapped
behind, the lady's pretty travelling dress,
and the shawl OF her cousin and cavalier,
all bespeaking a travel. Seven saw the
servant depart to spend a month with her
mother In the country.
Nine o'clock witnessed the meeting of
the merry young bachelors.
Now then" said George, after the first
greetings were over, 'I as the eldest host,
will take the charge to-day As Susy SAYS,
"when are you going down town."
." l have nothing to do to-day, SO I'll
stay to assist you" said Minnie.
A"Thank you!"
"What's for dinners" said Joe, trying
to look like the head of a respectable
family, and falling most deplorably in the
attempt.
you'll see at three o'clock"
us that the hour?"
"Yesn
Remember" said George, "I wait for
no one. Punctuality is the soul of din
ner,' as somebody once said before men
toned the fact"
Having seen the others of, George and
Minnie went into the library for a smoke,
to prepare them for the herculean task be-
fore them.
See" said George, producing cook
book, 1--WE are safe"
Mrs. Hale! that's woman?' cried
Minnie 5F5-
Whew. never once thought of that
We will stick to the contract. My dear
madam, am sorry to appear rude, but
must show you back to the bookcase"
Whats for dinner p said Minnie.
Roast lamb, potatoes, green peas, as
paragus and straw berries"
"That'll do. Don't you have to shell
peas, or something"
Yes, that's easy enough"
"It's awfully hot" said Minnie, after a
short silence.
Horrid % ~
"Suppose we shell the peas up here. IT'S
cooler here than in the kitchen. I suppose
there's fire there?"
"Of course"
go bring them up"
They're in basket on the table. Jus1
leave the rest of the things down there.
Smelling peas was rapid work, even fol
unaccustomed fingers. but it is a matter O.
taste whether ths thorough smoking they