Middletown transcript., 1873-05-31
Srlrtt Storp.
JOHN WARDS HOUSEKEEPING
ny ELIZA EpMoSps ANTHONY.

John Ward was 4 very uncommon man
Not content with attending to his own
business out Of doors. he sought also TO
attend to his wifrs indoors. much TO that
lady's disgust. Every bar OF soap every
pound of tea used, he KEEP, an account Of
no, that he was stingy, but he believed
in saving IN every way. whether it inter
fered with comfort or not aud il nearly
drove his meek wife crazy to see him,
nearly every morning, come into the
kitchen and tell her not to use too much
wood--sha might as we'll cook with liz.
tie as so much
On this particular morning he came
down stairs ,s tho clock was striking sew
en-, and pleasant sight met his eyes as
he opened the iiaing room door. Tn the
well lalen table with its covering Of
snowy damask, and neat. shining silver.
ware, we're hut rolls light rolls. light
bread golden butter, nice hot beefs,cak
and eggs. and plate Of crispy brown po-
tatoes, lie nodded approval a, his wife
who hni been working over the stove.
nearly an hour, to prepare breakfast
that he would be satisfied with.
These rolls are heavy. Maggie; do
wish You could make them like mother
used to- said Mr. Warl as be broke
open snowy ro!! ,ha, happened to be
hardly done.
Are they not done? am sorry but
was so busy broiing the meat that
did no, notice them close enough was
her reply
4" But you ought to notice everything /;
and here. this beef.toak. is not half cook.
ed believe | could do better than tha,
myself were the mex, impatient words.
Il wish to graciou. you would. aud
then perhaps you would be suited. wa.
the hasty reply
Well don't get angry about Il; but
really, Maggie, you use a good deal Of
sugar Here | bough, lot Of il las,
week. aud now it is nearly gone. dom,
see where it goes to, said Mr. Ward
again This time there was no reply. and
looking around. he found to his amaze.
ment, he was talking to the chairs for
Mrs. Ward. tired beyond endurance. had
fed up stair. to indulge in that luxury for
women, good cry.
= Really, she acts very singularly.
wonder what said to make her 20 off in
that way he said to himself, in surprise
aud rising. he wen, down stairs She
was no, there /; then up stairs. where he
found Mrs. Ward lying on the bed. asleep
or pretending to be "Why. here she's
asleep again, and not out Of bed two hours
yet" he said. more to himsclfth to her.
as he stopped and kissed her check, which
was hot and feversh.
II hope she is not going to be sick, '
he thought. as he went down stairs He
then brushed his hat, put on hi, ovcrcoa,
and started off to his business. not ex.
pccting to be home until dinner time
No sooner had he gone than Mrs Ward
rose, saying to herself, Now this has got
to be stopped. can't and won't stand
this everlasting fault-dpding II John
Ward or any other man links he can do
better than do at housekeeping. let him
try, and | think i. will be a good lesson
to him to mind bis own business and let
me attend to mine. | have plan now
to cure him, if anything will "
What it was may be found in the
sequel.
John Ward came home a. twelve, ex-
pecting to find good warm dinner ready.
and meek wife to wait upon him. In.
stead, what sight met his astonished
eyes. as he opened the door The break
fast dishes we're standing just as he had
left them in the morning, only the cat had
upse. the milk, and it had soaked Into the
carpet. The stove was cold. aud. worse
than all. xherc was bis wife ? He rushed
up stairs. two steps at time, at the risk
Of breaking his neck. and there lying on
the bed. was Mrs. Ward.
Why, what's the matter Maggie /?
why 10 not dinner ready? Are Jou sick?"
hs asked.