The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-06-27
LITTLE SUSAN'S MlSHAP.
A Warning to Housekeepers.
BY MARY L. LEE.

Mrs. Cleanwell was an interchangeable
housekeeper. Everything gave way
to her desire to keep her house in
the most perfect order at the least
possible expense. She always had
some scheme OF economy in her head.
The comfort of her husband and
children was of no Importance com
pared to her own plans Of cleaning
and order.
Every May, no matter what the
state of the weather, this lady took
up her carpets, displayed her turni.
ture, and emptied her closets. Mr..
Cleanwell and all the little Clean
wells generally took cold-some'
times Mrs. Cleanwell herself suf.
tered but what was health in com
parason to the May cleaning? OF
no Importance at all.
Mr.. Cleanwell was meek, easy,
tempered man, who seldom opposed
his wife's wishes. Occasionally,
however, he made modest request.
Coming down one morning, he
said in quiet easy wav:
81 hope, my dear, YOU have a
good fire this morning. | am quite
chilled"
1T is rather cool for this time of a
year, but we can do very we'll withou,
fire. 1t is the 9th of May, you know
and l told Bridget not to take
time to build fire, but commence
right away at her own ROOM
my dear, l am afraid we shall
all take cold, as we did last year.
Couldn's you wait till the weather is
warmer p
Nonsense; l won't get through
before June. If the children are
cold they must stay by the kitchen
fire. 1t never does to put off work of
this kind. Men don't think cleaning
of any Importance, but women know
better
The master of the house shivered
little as he sat down to a very poor
breakfast. One by one the children
came in. 'How cold it is said one.
'It's Just like winter observed an
other. MA, why don't we have a
fire p asked the third. $500. 50.
sAh, here's fathers pet, with her
eyes only half open,' Mr.. Cleanwell
said, as Susan, the youngest came
into the dining-room.
Susan was cold, too, and her faith
er sent her into the kitchen to warm
herself. Very soon he went about
his business, feeling chilly and sad.
A comfortable home he provided,
if Mrs. Cleanwell would only be mod
crate in her views of cleanliness.
Three of the children went to
school. They were sent off very
early, with directions not to come
home to lunch. Then this busy
mother gave Susans expires orders to
play in the courtyard, and be as
good as possible.
Then the great halfyearly upset
ing began. Mrs. Cleanwell worked
as hard-indeed, harder than the
help. Very uncomfortable was the
house when Mr.. Cleanwell returned
in the afternoon, weary from his
days toll. Mrs Cleanwell was tired
and cross. No pains had been Ia
ken to make the evening meal a
pleasant one. The children COM
planned of the cold, for the weather
was still far from warm. Mr.. Clean
we'll shivered over his cold meat and
halt drawn tea, and, when his meal
was finished, took his hat and went
out.
An idea did pass through Mrs.
Cleanweli's head: Perhaps / am
driving my husband from his home.
But she had too firm confidence
in his principles to harbor such a
thought long. She was right. Mr..
Cleanwell had strong principles, or
he would have sought comfort else
where long before. He mere y
walked in neighboring park for a
short time, then came home, and, as
there was no comfortable place to
read, retired to sleep and dream of
warmth and comfort.
The next day was quite as cheer
less. Mr.. Cleanwell went TO bust
ness feeling cold and dull, and the
children went shivering to school.
Susan was told, as before, to give as
little trouble as POI sible, and went to
play on the walk.
Among Mrs. Cleanwell's expert
ments in economy was solution OF
potash to save soap. She prepared
a quantity, and the help was direct
ed to bring some in to clean the
kitchen utensils. Bridget had the
pots and kettles on the floor, when
Susan ran in. Bridget, l want a
drink of water
ooh, then, child you must wait. |
couldn't stop to give it till We. Don't
We see my hands is full2'
But Pm so thirsty please give me
q drink
Bridget, imbued with the spirit of
her mistress, was proof against the
little girls entreaties. True she
was hurried and driven, and Mrs.
Cleanwell always scolded fthe work
was not quickly done. A por-
ton of the dissolved solution stood
in a cup ON the table. Bridget was
just going to use it on the copper
kettle. Hal ~ H'aea iei