Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-09-01
ECONOMY In TaaE HOUSEHOLD,
How Mrs. M'Geschen Did Her own
Work.


One morning about two weeks ago,
Mrs. McGoOchen beamed blandly
across the breakfast table on her hus.
band, and informed him that she had
concluded to discharge the hired girl
and do her own work. This announce.
mcnt startled Mr.. McGoochen almost
As much % If she had declared her de.
termination TO commit suicide. He
had long known that hired help was
heavy drain upon his meagre salary,
but his wife had educated him to re-
gard it as indispensable, aud hc made
up his mind to endare it forever. That
she should voluntarily offer to dis
pcnse with the services of girl was
something for which be was not pre-
pared. Looking at hcr with an ex-
preston in which Hope and donbt
painfully mingled he aid
"You-why-you can't do it Eliza"
"Can't do 1t, indeed, I'd like to
know what's the reason. Lots of
women in this town do great deal
more, and think nothing of it. Our
family is small-just you and me and
Henry Ward-andif l can't do tho
work for Us three, I'D better go TO Q
hospital and bo done with it."
"What pnt YOU into the notion p
asked her husband, hardly yet recov-
cred from his surprise.
swell, Peter" she replied, speaking
In tender, self-reprOv1ng tsne, ..ril
tell you've been thinking lately
how hard you have 10 work. and how
little l have done to assist yon. in
|comparisOn with what I might and
ought to do, and II appear to me tLSt
| should try to reduce our expenses as
much rs possible, and tho best way |
know OF is 10 do my own housew orE.
We are poor. just making beginning
In lite, and II 10 my duty TO help ycn."
With voice almost choked with
emotion at this unexpected evidence
Of his wife's devotion and energy, he
fcebly easayed to break her resolution,
saying that he didn't want her to DO .
slave for him, that she was too delicate
for the tasl: she contemplated, that all
he asked of her was continued love
and sympathy
"Oh, that's all romance" interrupt
ed Mrs. McGoochen. "lfs high time
my love and sympathy were assuming
. practical form. I'il discharge the
girl this very day. But there Is one
condition, Peter"
"Name II, my noble wife"
"That new carpet you thought we
were unable to get. Now, ii do my
own work 1t will save at least hun
dred dollars year, and you can GER
tainly afford the carpet"
"Of course, my love, IL you are sat-
isiied you are not undertaking more
than you can perform"
She was satisfied, aud so it was set.
tied. Mack lugged the CARPET home
at noon, aud found the girl gone.
Ills wife was gone, too, but she re-
turned shortly, having only been
around telling the neighbors that che
was now doing her own work. Din
ner was late, but then it was the first
meal by her fair fingers, and he could
make allowance for the novelty of the
position in which she found herself
placed.
Acting on her suggestion, Mack
brought home new rocking. chair
when he came to supper. They were
saving hundred dollars year, and
could well afford such little things.
When his wife returned from her visit
to the rest Of the neighbors, whom she
had been informing that she was
now doing her own work, she was de-
lighted with the new chair, and de-
clsred that they must have . full set
of furniture TO match II. "You know
Ietes tnat VIII more snan save the
snau ieel 90 proud 10 know that my