The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-07
Select STORY.
LEAVING THE FARM.
A STORY FOR YOUNG WIVES.

hh 10 htthAh6 Obh WNAAf WVa&f "Vhhf
from morning till night A farm life is a
perfect slaves life, and for my part am
sick aud tired Of il"
And the face Of the woman standing in
the dairy.room Of the farmhouse grew
darker aud more dissatisfied, as one after
hnother the rolls Of golden butter came to
perfection under the touch Of her quick,
skilful fingers.
She was handsome woman Of two-and-
twenty, with wavy, brown hair, scarlet
lips, and charming face that looked as If
made for smiles and dimplcs. When Gil
bert Drew married her, three years before,
people said he made sad mistake-that
this dainty girl, with her gnces and ac-
complishments, would never be fit for u
farmers wife, and would have no idea Of
thrift and economy. But thus far in her
matrimonial career she had not fulfilled
the prophecy of the gossips. Blest with
perfect health and an active temperament,
she took readily to household duties and,
with the help of stout girl during the
summer months, managed affairs easily and
skilfully at the farmhouse.
The farm itself, Gilbert's wedding gift
from grandfather Drew, was large, fertile
and situated in pleasant valley, and II
well worked and tended would yield any
man comfortable living and something
over for a rainy day. The house was
roomy and pleasant, fitted for comfort as
well as convenience. To Gilbert Drew
this place seemed the very paradise Of
homes. He loved his young wife with an
absorbing affection; he took pride in his
fine, well-stockcd farm and comfortable
surroundings, and was perhaps as thor
oughly content with his lot in life as ii is
possible for any man to be. But Of late
> feeling of dissatisfaction had been creep
ing into the heart Of his wife; and, like
many mistaken mortal, she failed to
appreciate the real and solid comforts that
shc every day enjoyed, and coveted the
lair, forbidden fruit that seemed just be-
oud her reach. A few months previous
the opening of our story she visited an
old school.friend whose home was in the
kity. She attended several parties, visited
be opera and other places Of amusement,
md rode in the park on sunny afternoons
Ind the gaycty aud glitter Of those few
weeks so completely turned the head Of
thc country-bred woman, that the visit
which her husband expected would prove
! recreation to her, only served to make
her restless and dissatisfied with her life.
Ever since then she had been considering
the possibility Of inducing Gilbert to give
np farming aud remove to the city; but
As yet she had not broached the subject
% him, and she had felt reluctant to do so
FOR, knowing how much he was attached
30 his present home, she was well aware
That knowledge Of her feelings would
shock and pain him. But on this partic
ular morning she was even more discon,
n tented than usual, and as he came whist
ling up the path and to the room where
she was working, she made no effort te
hide her tears, but met him with such .
gloomy, pouting face that he stopped, sur
+ prised and wondering, in the doorway.
aWhy, Alice! what Is the matter?" h,
asked, quickly.
Il am tired of this everlasting house
work" she answered gloomily.
Gilbert Drew went forward then, and
drawing his young wife to him said ten
derly: Don't cry, Alice. Ibid not know
that you were workingso hard you shoult
have told me before We viii have bet
ter girl, or you can get little Mamie Brigg
up here to help Susan, If that viii sui
q you
"I don't want any mere help. If w
must live in this out-of-the-way place,
may as well be kitcheu-maid as anything
else. But | don't want to live ON a farm
and ! wish that you would sell out aud g
to the city
"Sell the farm and go to the city d
a you mean that, Alice r
Yes, mean IT, What is the use o
our shaving ourselves to death here, whc
we might live 80 much easier and happie
in the city y
" ] am not sure Of that The farm ID