Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-09-25

looks; and began TO see In prospect the
golden balls Of butter slowed away in
jars for winter use. 1t was not long ere
/ found it was no child's play to lift the
heavy pans up and down from the
shelves, and it was something could not
put off.
In the city the water was brought into
my kitchen sink, but now had to bring
it some distance in large wooden bucket.
We had pig, and as l had no girl,
must feed it; the barn was some rods
from the house. When strawberries came,
for they did come at last, somehow had
lost part of my former relish for them.
Cream had ceased to be luxury. l had
too much of the article, and as the straw
berry beds were too wet in the morning
for me to gather the luscious fruit, found
it no pleasant task when the sun was
children got dirty and ragged and hungry
too sometimes, for the bread often gave
cut, and there was DO baker or butcher
to run to. OF course we tried to keep
everything in the house. | tried to be a
model hOusekeeper if ever woman did,
but it was hard work when my limbs
were so tired that l longed to lie down
anywhere, to have the sleepy children to
battle and put to bed 1t was hard work
to remember and set my bread in time to
rise for baking next day | almost wore
myself out fixing up the yard and garden,
and then my little darlings spoiled it, SO
had no pleasure in it.
To add to my distress the neighbors
were always singing Mrs. Butterworth's
praises in my weary ears. "She was such
good housekeeper. Such an excellent
all ,f 7
having had ample chance to test her
housekeeping qualities George snubbed
our city friends who were dying to visit
us. The few who did come almost set me
crazy | had now succeeded in getting a
girl, but like Mrs. Butterworth's she
was always grumbling when company
came.
had no idea that it was so hard mat
ter to keep everything up in the country.
The washings were no small item and |
found some difference between doing the
washings in ones own house. or having
them done at a laundry; and oh, the piles
of dishes, pans and jars! Jars that must
be washed and scalded and after all, my
butter lacked the sweetness of Mrs But
terworth's, and it took so long to bring it,
No matter how tired | was, if | attempted
to hasten the matter by making the cream
little warmer the butter was white and
frothy. / found it anything but pleasant
to receive visitors, though / asked Mrs
Butterworth to bring her children and
stay a week with me.
She came, but did not keep my break
fast waiting, but rose early, and having
dressed the children, came down when the
first bell rang. How much she assisted
me. How kind she was. And one day
when | was very tired, she came i'm and
taking my work from my weary fingers,
in very short time performed the much
dreaded task
How grateful felt And then / told
her ALL how selfish had been, and how
disguised had become with myself.
81 know all about it, dear" said she
81 have been country housekeeper, and
| know, too, that in spite Of sun and
shade, cool brecZes and sweet flowers, the
overworked housewives arms will ache
and though she may appreciate all the
beautiful surroundings and fresh garden
luxuries, she cannot forget or throw off
the load of WEAKNESS that almost contin-
ually Expresses her. You city folks look
only at the bright side of farmers life,
for admit it possesses very bright and
sunny side; but it takes toll and care to
make country home habitable."
How humble felt when she came and
put her arms around me and talked thus
We sat there long, my true friend and |, she
so noble and kindly in her manner, | so
selfabased. As | looked over the past
and saw how selfish had been, l could
do nothing by way of recompense but
make clean breast of the matter. Thus
was the bond strengthened between us,
and instead of week, as had previous
ly arranged, kept my kind friend with
me over four; and oh, how much she
taught me! How much joy and peace
she brought to our household; and now
that | have seen both sides of a country
life, hope that am better fitted to take
up the many cares that beset my path,
and perform them faithfully and earnest
ly.- Western Rural.