Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-10
A Timely Lesson.

One morning entered our dressing.room
and threw myself into my comfortable rock
ing chair for the especial purpose OF think
ing. The room and its furnishing were
pleasant aud pretty when in order, but Just
now it was in state bordering on confusion,
to say the least. There were my husbands
Sunday clothes" thrown upon lounge,
just as he had cast them aside the night pre-
vious on his return from \ political conven-
ton pair Of slippers occupied stool, and
4 pair of boots were standing not far of, as
if to keep watch of their mast0rs's possessions.
Three or four paper collars that had Jailed
TO become welded to the shrt-band were
thrown upon the carpet, and about as many
neek-ties were strewn upon the dressing
bureau. The pomatum jar was minus its
cover, and the tooth powder and brush lay
upon the window seat, just as he had left
them an hour before.
1t was not yet q year since had come to
the pretty, vine-wrcathed cottage, happy,
joyous bride. Life was to be all rose colored.
loved my husband, and was sure that love
was returned with all lovers fond devo-
ton. How, then, was it possible that the
future could be otherwise than glowing with
roseate hue?
For months our rooms were always to be
found in the most fastidious order | had
been early trained to the most systematic
modes of domestic economy by thoughtful,
judicious mother; and as my husband had
long had the care OF his own wardrobe pre-
vous to our marriage, he still took the re-
spoUsbility of brushing and hanging away
his outer garments, hats and boots--always
keeping everything in the neatest possible
order.
was frequently congratulated on having
won so rich a prize from the matrimonial
market aud as visited the homes of my
friends hattered myself that | had made
the best choice and had drawn the one of n
thousand. But as the months slipped by
found that my husband grew less careful and
the times more frequent when he would say,
"Lottie, am in such hurry to be off this
morning, | wish you would brush my clothes
that wore yesterday and put them away"
And of late he has left everything to my
care, without request or thanks. 1t was
about this matter that had determined to
think aud plan Something must be done
to cure such heedlessness.
Was to become Johns servant ITO 20
round day after day, and year after year, as
thousands of other women were doing, pick.
ing up after my husband, not only his clothes
but tools and traps innumerable, no matter
whether was sick or well Was II my
duty to make slave of myself because l
was wife 7 | was willing TO keep his
clothes in repair, aud clean, so fur as seeing
that the laundry was attended to 10 ia
proper season. But for him to take down
and promiscuously scatter about tho room
hats aud boots for me to gather and put into
place, day after day, determined was nc
part of my creed or duty II belong to
the weaker sex, could not "lor the life Of
me" see why should do the work that he
had considered bis own before we we're mar,
ried aud for some time afterward. He
really desires that | should be companion
as we'll as help-mate. Now, how am ever
10 find time for intellectual culture if
must devote ny whole strength to attending
to the domestic machinery and acting the
part Of valet at the same timer ...
II is not the amount of work to be don'
now that is Of such vast Importance, but thu
habit Of carelessness on the part of my hus
band, it not now checked, will grow worse
and worse in all the years to come. alb
hor quarrols and must not encourage iamily
liars. But shall not be waiter and boot
black-that is settled fact
Aud with this arose, picked up th,
soiled handkerchiefs, collars aud slippers
and put the toilet stand 10 order, tooth pow
der and brush included. A week later anC
John came in from the Office ia great haste
Mr. L. desired him to go to the city to atteu'
to some important business. OF course h
must renew his toilet. With hasty strides
he marched to the closet for his "Sunda,
suit"
"Why, Lottie, where are my clothes ?" h