The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-07-25
Only a Farmers Wife.


was tall and stately lady, apparent
ly some thirty years Of age-not
exactly handsome, but with a grace
of air and manner peculiarly her
own. The careful toilet, the name
less air Of elegance and luxury, the
pale cheek, the soft white hands, be-
trayed the city dame. While the
weary glance in her large 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 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 a
rounded figure that was set of to
the best advantage by the afternoon
dress of tinted muslin that she
wore.
At present the pretty face was al
most spoiled by a querulous discon-
tented expression. She was con-
trasting her own hand, plump and
small, but certainly rather brown,
with the slender white fingers of her
city friend, all glittering with rings.
Just look at the two - she exclaim-
ed. "That comes of making butter
and cheese, and sweeping, and dus-
ting, and washing dishes, and max
ing beds all the time. That man
told the truth that said that woman's
work was never done. I know mine
never is. Oh, dear, deari To think
that you, Margaret, should have
married a city merchant, and be as
rich as a princess in a fairy tale;
and here I am9lanted for life, plain
Mrs. Hiram Parke, and nothing in
the world to compare with you.
am sick Of being only a 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"
Il 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?'
"Yes.
"And be Mrs. Won Howth, in
stead of Mrs. Hiram Parker"
Jennie hesitated. She dearly
loved her handsome husband.
.'Well, don't mean that want TO
give up Hiram. l only mean that I
wish he was a city merchant, instead
of a farmer, and as rich as your hus-
band; that is ALL
"And that is a great deal. Jenny,
if your wish could be granted, do
you know what your life would be?'
said Mrs. Won Howth, coldlv.
''What yours is, I suppose. What
any lady's in your position"
"But what is that life. Do you
knowY'
GLOW should I?'
cit is a 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 fashiOna-
bles who only have their own
amusements to provide for. A long
life of mere amusements is a dogs
life, Jenny, at the best"
Il should like to be convinced of
it by actual experience" said Jenny,
doubtingly.
$50 1 said and thought once.
have been so convinced. And it is
all vanity and vexation of spirit, my
dear"
'sBut hOw?' persisted Jenny.
"How? In ten thousand ways. If
you live in the fashionable world
yon must do as the fashionable world
does. You must rise and dress,
and shop, and lunch, and dress again
and drive, and dress again aud APP
pear at certain balls, parties, con
certs, 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 a fash
ionable watering place in the hottest
days Of August, with five changes
of toilet between morning and night,
ard 4 French lady's maid to tyran-
nize over you all the time into the
bargajny"
-- ''Horrorsp' calculated Jenny.
"Bslls that you must go to in
spite Of fatigue, parties that you
must go TO in spite Of the heat calls
that YOU must make on people that
you detest! Oh, Jenny, l 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 q time.
Jenny opened her eyes wide.
"Love him! Why isn't he my
y 4uSD0n0l WIS AACt IL
Mrs. Won Howth laughed.
"Some women in society might |
think that reason why you /
love him. she said dryly. /
And he loves you, alsOF'
Il should die tomorrow if l /
thought he did not"
Tut, child. People leave this
world when God wills it, not before.
dare say Won would survive his
nfidelity. Many women before you
nave lived through such things"
Don't talk OF it, Margaret, l
,ould not bear it. Why, he is all
he world to me. How could I bear
% lose itE'
ssThen don't wish him to be a city
my dear. dare say
here are many good men in the
.itv-men who love their wives; but,
N the other hand, there are so ma
" temptations, especially in society, /
hat [ sometimes wonder not that