Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-07-25
ONLY A FARMERS WIFE.

n d ANN w HI
Two women sat together at sunset in
the porch door of white cottage that
stood under its " ancestral tree" among
its fields of wheat and corn, like d poets
vision of quiet resting place tor some
weary suffering human soul.
And one of these two women had eyes
to see, ears to hear, and a heart to feel and
appreciate it all. She was tall and
stately lady, apparently some thirty years
Of age-not exactly handsome, but with
grace of air and manner peculiarly her own,
The careful toilet, the nameless air Of
elegance and luxury, the pale cheek, the
soft white hands betrayed the city dame,
While the weary glance in her dark blue
eyes, which even the quiet of that sunset
hour could not drive away, showed that
time had not dealt gently with her and
her hearts's idol but had thrown them,
scattered and ruined, at her feet.
Her companion was some five years her
junior, and many times prettier-a little
round faced, apple checked woman, with
dark blue eyes and dark brown hair, and
q rounded figure that was set off to the
best advantage by the afternoon dress OF
tinted muslin that she wore.
At present the pretty face was almost
spoiled by a querulous discontinued eX-
preston. She was contrasting her own
hand, plump and small, but certainly rath-
err brown, with the slender white fingers
of her city friend, all gittering with rings.
"Just look at the two" she exclaimed
"That comes of making butter and cheese,
and sweeping, and busting, and washing
dishes, and making beds all the time
That man told the truth that said that
woman's work was never done. | know
mine never is. OH dear, dear To think
that you, Margaret, should have married
city merchant, and be as rich as a prin-
Cess in fairy tale; and here am planted
for life, plain Mrs. Hiram Parke, and
nothing in the world to compare with you
| am sick of being only farmers wife"
Margaret Won Howth looked down at
her grumbling little friend with a sad
smile.
Jenny, 1t seems to me, as we sit here
in this quiet place and look out over all
these pleasant fields that are your own
it seems to me that you are almost wicked
to talk like that"
81 dare say, you would never like it,
Margaret. You would never wish to
change places with me-"
"Perhaps not. Would you not like to
change with me?"
eyes"
"And be Mrs. Won Howth instead OF
Mrs Hiram Parker"
Jennie hesitated She dearly loved
her handsome husband.
swell, don't mean that | want to
give up Hiram. | only mean that I wish
he was city merchant instead of far.
mer, and as rich as your husband is ; that
is alb
And that is a great deal. Jenny, il
your wish could be granted, do you know
what your life would be2n said Mrs. Won
Howth, coldly.
What yours is, l suppose. What any
lady's is in your position"
but what is that lfe2 Do you know?
How should II"
cit is weary one, Jenny, with more
genuine hard work in it than all your
making of butter and cheese"
"Oh, Margaret'
And oh, Jenny! believe me, my deal
there are no people on earth who work
harder than the fashionables who only
have their own amusements to provide
for. A long, long life of mere amuse.
ments is dogs life, Jenny, at the best
" should like to be convinced of it by
actual experience" said Jenny, doubt
ingly.
$50 | said and thought once l have
been so convinced. And it is all vanity
and vexation of spirit, my dear"
:" But howl" persisted Jenny.
Howl Indeed, ten thousand ways
If you live in the fashionable worlt
you must do as the fashionable world
does. You must rise and dress, ani
hop and lunch, and dress again ant
drive, and dress again and appear at Ger
tain balls, parties, concerts, exactly a
your friends do, or be voted bizarre, ant
out of the world altogether. You, m,
poor Jenny, who are by no means font
of dress, what would you do at fash
ionable watering place in the hotties
days of August, with five changes o
toilet between morning and night, an,
a French lady's maid to tyrannize owe
you all the time into the bargain2
"Horrors !" calculated Jenny.
"Balls that you must go to in spit
of fatigue, parties that you must 60 t.
in spite of the heat, calls that 20
must make on people that you detest
Oh, Jenny, would far rather be q
home with the butter and cheese if
were you.'
Jenny was silent. Here was the sid
of the bright picture which she had ney
err seen or dreamed of before.
"You love your husband, Jenny
said her friend after time.
Jenny opened her eyes wide.
Love him Why isn't he my hu.
band 2" washer reply.
Mrs. Won Howth laughed.
"Some women in society might thin
that a reason why you shouldn't low
him" she said dryly. "And he love
you also9"
81 should die tomorrow if though
he did not"
"Tut child People leave this worl
when God whist, not before. dare so
you would survive his infdelity. Man
women before you have lived throug