Connecticut western news., 1872-08-02
ONLY A FARMERS WIFE.

ONLY A FARMERS WIFE. Two women sat together at sunset in the porch door of white cottage that stood under it's "ancestral " tree." among it's fields of wheat and corn, like a poets vision Of qniet resting place tor some weary suffering human soul.
 And one of these two women had eyes to see, ears to hear, and heart to feel and appreciate it all. She was tall and stately lady, apparently some thirty years of age-not exactly handsome, but with a 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. Whilesthe 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.
 Atpresent the pretty face was almost spoiled by a querulous discontented ex pression. She was contrasting her own hand, plump and small. but certainly rath- CT brown, with the slender white fingers of her city friend, all glittering with rings. '' Just look at the two" she exclaimed. "That comes of making butter and cheese. and sweeping, and dusting, and washing dishes, and making beds ali the time That man told the truth that said that woman's work was never done. I 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 l 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, it 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''
 II dare say, you would never like it, Margaret. You would never wish to change places with x1e"
 "Perhaps not. Would you not like to change with me?''
 "Yes."
 "And be Mrs. Von Howth instead of Mrs. Hiram Parke9"
 Jennie hesitated. She dearly loved her handsome husband.
 "Well, don't mean that I want to give up Hiram. I only mean that wish he was city merchant instead of far mer. and as rich as your husband is that is all."
 "And that is a great deal. Jenny, if your wish could be granted, do you know what your life would be2" said Mrs. Von Howth,- coldly.
 What yours fig, I suppose. What any ladv's is in your position"
 "But what is that lifes Do you know9"
 Glow should I?"
 "It is 8 weary one, Jenny, with more genuine hard work in it than all your making of butter and cheese"
 "Qh, Margaret"
 "And oh, Jenny! believe me, my dear 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 iugly.
 s'So I said and thought once. have been so convinced. And it is all vanity and vexation of spirit. my dear."
 But how7" persisted Jenny.
 "How9 Indeed, ten thousand ways. If you live in the fashionable world you must do as the fashionable world does. You must rise and dress, and hop and lunch, and dress again and drive, and dress again and appear at cer- tain balls. parties, concerts, exactly as your friends do, or be voted bizarre, and out of the world altogether. You, my poor Jenny. who are by no, means fond of dress, what would you do at fash ionabls watering place in the hottest days of August, with five changes of toilet between morning and night, and French lady's maid to tyrannize ove, you all the tinfe into the bargains
 Horrors!" ejaculated Jenny.
 "Balls that you must go to in spite in spite of the heat, calls that you AO VII POpPIO CAdG yOu uOLcSUs Oh, Jenny, I would far rather be at home with the butter and cheese if I were you."
 Jenny was silent. Here wa1 the side of the bright picture which she had nev- CT seen or dreamed of before.
 You love your husband, Jenny 2" said her friend after time.
 Jenny opened her eyes wide.
 Love himl Why isn't he my hus. band 2" was her reply.
 Mrs Von Howth laughed.
 "some women in society might think that reason why you shouldn't love himi" she said dryly. "And he loves you also9"
 II should die tomorrow if thought he did not."
 "Tut, child People leave. this world when God wills 1t, not before. Idare say you would survive his inidelity. Many