Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-09-26
said that woman's work was never done.


ried city merchant, and be as rich as a
princess in fairy tale; and here am plant
ed for life, plain Mrs. Hiram Parke, and no.
thing in the world compared with you. l am
sick of being only farmers wife,"
Margaret Won Howth looked down at hel
grumbling little friend with 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"
81 dare say you would never like it, Mar
garet. You would never wish to change
places with me-.
"Perhaps not. Would you not like tc
change with me?"
Eyes"
"And be Mrs. Won Howth, instead Of Mrs
Hiram Parker"
Jennie hesitated. She dearly loved he1
handsome husband.
"Well, don't mean that want to give up
Hiram. I only mean that [ wish he was a
city merchant, instead of farmer, and as rich
as your husband is; that is ALL"
"And that is great deal. Jenny, if your
wish could be granted, do you know what
your life would be2" said Mrs. Won Howth,
coldly
"What yours is I suppose. What any Ia
dy's is in your position"
"But what is that life. Do you know"
"How should II"
"It 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 dear,
there are no people on earth who work harder
than the fashionables who only have their own
amusements to provide for. A long life OF
mere amusements is dogs life, Jenny, at the
best"
II should like to be convinced of it by &C.
tual experience" said Jenny, doubtingly.
$50 I said and thought once have been
SO convinced. And it is all vanity and Vexa-
ton of spirit, my dear"
"But how" persisted Jenny"
"How? In ten thousand ways. If you
live in the fashionable world you must do as
the fashionable world does. You must rise
and dress, and shop, and lunch, and dress
again and drive, and dress again and appear
at certain balls, parties, concerts, exactly as
your friends do, or be voted bizarre, and out
of the world altogether. You, my poor Jen.
ny, who are by no means fond of dress, what
would you do at fashionable watering place
in the hottest days of August, with five
changes of toilet between morning and night,
and French lady's maid to tyranize over you
all the time into the bargain ?"
"Horrors !" calculated Jenny.
"Balls that you must 60 to in spite of ia.
tigue parties that you must 60 to in spite OF
the heat calls that you must make on people
that you detest. Oh! Jenny, I should far
rather be at home with the butter and cheese,
if | were you"
Jenny was silent. Here was the side of the
bright picture which she had never 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 husband p
was her reply.
Mrs. Won Howth laughed.
"Some women in society might think that
reason why you shouldn't love him !" she said,
drily. "And he loves you, also ?"
ri should die tomorrow if l thought he
did not"
"Tut, child. People leave this world when
God wills it; not before. I dare say you
would survive his in6delity. Many women
before you have lived through such things"
"Don't talk of it, Margaret, I could not
bear it. Why, he is all the world to me-
How could I bear to lose him ?"
"Then don't wish him to be city merchant
my dear. I dare say there are many good
men in the city-men who love their wives
but, on the other hand, there are so many
temptations, especially in society, that some
times wonder not that so many 60 astray, but
that so many remain true to themselves and
their duty"
She spoke absently, and her eyes had a far.
away glance, as if they dwelt on other things
Jenny ventured question.
"Margaret, is yours happy marriage
Do you love your husband? And does he
love your"
Mrs. Won Howth started and turned pale
"Jenny, would have loved him-I would
have been good wife to him; but he never
loved me- lie brought me to place at the
head of the house, because he thought me la
dyike and interesting; that was all. He told
me so once though not quite so plainly as this
And since then we have each taken our own
way, independent Of the other. seldom see
him at our house in town. have my carriage,
my diamonds, my opera box. In the season
l 60 to Saratoga, or Newport, while he favors
Long Branch with his presence. We are
perfect strangers to each other; we never
quarrel and I suppose if I were to die to.
morrow he'd be an inconsolable widower-
week. Jenny, you will not wish to change
places with me again. Your husband might
change as mine has done, exposed to the same
temptation. Thank heaven you have him as
he is, a good, true man, who loves you and
never mind the butter and cheese, Jenny, so
long as your happiness and his is made up with
them"
She rose from her seat and strolled up the
garden path.
Jenny did not follow. She sat on the step
lost in thought. The riddle of her friends
life was made clear to her. She had often
wondered why Margaret, in the midst of all
her wealth and luxury, should seem so sad
She wondered no longer now.
To be the wife of man who had no love
for you What clover Deep can there be
than this for proud and sensitive woman
Jenny turned with tears in her eyes to meet
the stalwart husband as he came from the
field
"Well, little woman" he cried, and then
she got the hearty kiss for which she was
looking.
Yes, Margaret was right. The butter and
cheese were of little consequence, while love
like this made her task easy to endure
And the rosy-cheeked little woman bent
fondly down over her "Hiram" as he flung