Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-08-22
5fiscellanu.
John Jones New Leaf.
BY RosELLA RICE.

1t was dreary kitchen-the walls
we're dirty and smoky, the breakfast
dishes stood on the table in the middle
Of the floor, the cooking stove was open,
with kettles and pans on it, and cold
ashes on its hearth, its sooty plates away,
a pot of dishwater standing on top of
the stove, and the broom and poker and
tongs lay just where the little riders had
them when called to prepare for school.
Johnny had gone off crying, and his
whine could even then be heard coming
up the hollow in the direction of the
school-bouse. The milk had not been
strained. and the flies were buzzing
about it as they sat on the edges of the
two brimming pals, slipping and rub
bing their hands together in a satisfied
way. The baby was teething, and cross,
and the one pair of hands that could
have brought order out Of this disorder
were busy trying to soothe it.
Is it any wonder that tears we're in
the mothers eyes, as she cuddled her
baby to her bosom, and walked across
the floor trying to stili its cries
"Oh, dear, what life what a lifer
said she: " | try to be patient and make
the best Of it, but it does seem SO hard
Just as the babe was growing quiet, and
its little blue hands had fallen listlessly
upon its bosom, shadow fell across the
doorway, and the husband entered, say
ing. Jane, can you tell me what the
children did with the Ratchet yester
day?"
1t was out on the rock, behind John
ny's wagon, last night, said she, speak
ing low and gently laying the baby
down in bed that had not been mad,
up yet.
"Seems to me you're good while git
tin your chores done; you havn't th'
knack of gittin' along ike Mrs. Leavon
dyke-her work is done up long ago
an she's busy in the gardin'. Tell you
she's nice gardin' don't look much like
our'n: you don't put the time on our'r
that she does in her'n.''
"Oh, john" said the little woman
slipping back her sleeves and tying on {
big apron, and trying to keep her fac,
turned away to hide the gathering tears
"with four children. and the baby sick
and three cows to milk, and calves t
feed, and hands to cook for, and all tn,
other work to do, only wonder that
get half my chores done in a Who'll,
day."
well, I'm sure | don't see how it is,
said he my mother had ten hvinl
children, and she managed to get alon.
| frst-rate and do all her own weaving
besides taking in weaving for the neigh
bors. You have more room than sh
had. and you don't have to carry wa
ter forty rods, like she did-here it is
right at the foot of the hill and yoI
never have to cut your own fire wood
unless it is in the midst of harvest, ant
/ think you shouldn't complain.
there is anything / hate to hear, it is
growing, whining wife. Now, hav
to be out oe doors all the time, no mat
ter how the sun shines, or how cold th
wind blows, while you are in the shad
and comfortable if you only knew i
All you have an easy time Of it, 20
women, if you only knew it; 80 chez
up. L married you for helpmate, don
you know. The girls will be big enoug
in three or four years to help you, an
then you can take times easier, and may
be by that time the bottom farm will b
paid for, we'll be able to ride in ca
, riaee like the Leavondykes do"
"How long since you brought in tn
water ?" said he, as be took drin
from the tin dipper, and finding it NJ
fresh, be sguirted it out cody right Q
the floor among some pans that had sill
ped down off shelf.
As he took the hatehet, and startt
out to the wagon to fix the hay-riggir
ON it, he said, "Jane, if you can
well as not, s'posin' you have some
them new beans that grow in that Fl
; lot for dinner"
if "Well, Itry." said she hopelessl
as she slipped her shoes off SO tn