National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-07-26
ONLY A FARMERS WIFE.

Two women sat together at sunset in
the porch door of a white cottage that
stood under its ancestral tree" among
lis fields of wheat and corn, like a poets
vision of a quiet resting place tor some
weary suffering human soul
And one OF these two women had ewes
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.
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 heartss 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 ewes and dark brown hair, and
a 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 querulous discontented ex-
preston. She was contrasting her own
hand, plump and small, but certainly rath-
er brown, with the slender white fingers
OF her city friend, all glittering with rings.
just look at the twow 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 tae 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 sad
smile.
Jenny, 1t seems to me, as we sit here
in this quiet place and look ont 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
Perhaps not. Would you not like to
cdfnee with meg
yes"
"And be Mrs. Won Howth instead of
Mrs. Hiram Parker
Jennie hesitated. She dearly loved
her handsome husband.
"Well, don't mean that want to
give up Hiram | only mean that | wish .
he was city merchant instead of a 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 Won
llowth, coldly.
What yours is, | suppose. What any
lady's is in your position"
But what is that life9 Do you know9" ,
How should l ?"
''It is a weary one, Jenny, with more I
genuine hard work in it than all your l
making of butter and cheese" {
"Oh, Margaret!' /
And oh, Jenny, believe me, my dear |
there are no people on earth who work 9
harder than the fashionatles who only t
have their own amusements to provide l
for. A long, long life of mere amuse- Y
ments is dogs life, Jenny, at the best" r
% should like to be convinced of it by /
actual experience, said Jenny, doubt C
ingly. c
80 | said and thought once. | have i
been so convinced. And it is all vanity b
and vexation of spirit, my dear"
" But how7" persisted Jenny. a
"How2 Indeed, ten thousand ways. l
If You live in the fashionable world ],
you must do as the fashionable world q
doe. You must rise and dress, and d
hop and lunch, and dress again and RI
drive, and dress again and appear at GER G.
tam balls, parties, concerts, exactly as a
yonr friends do. or be voted bizarre, and II
out of the world altogether. GOu, my W
poor Jenny, who are by no means fond p
of dress, what would you do at fash
lonable watering place in the hottest
days of August, with five changes of n
toilet between morning and night, and h
French lady's maid to tyrannze over h
you all the time into the bargain h
Horrors ~ calculated Jenny. "
Balls that you must go to in spite c.
Of fatigue, parties that you must go to d
q spite of the heat, calls that you q
must make on people that you detest. n
Oh, Jenny, | would far rather be at c,
iome with the butter and cheese if b
Vere you" e,
Jenny was silent. Here was the side q
'f the bright picture which she had new W
sr seen or dreamed of before. al
You love your husband, Jennyi" tt
'ald her friend after time. 81
Jenny opened her eyes wide. Il
Love himi Why isn't he my hus- 50
'and p wac her reply. ~