Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-09-10
HOSPITALITY.

"Oh. dearm exclaimed Mrs Lamson, rs
she tossed postal card on the table; and n
frown gathered on her generally smiling face
"why on earth, can not people that have COM
mon sense, use it?"
"What is il, Maryp" said her husband, lay
ing down his knife and fork, aud taking up
the postal.
MRS Newton, and her little ones, are
coming TO make us II nice long visit; and wish
us to meet them at the station Monday after
noon. II is too bad! just Think only this
morning six visitors left us; aud my rooms
are all turned topsy-turvy. The bedding is
to be washed; tomorrow is Saturday, and
all these men here to supper and all day to-
morrow; :" and the tears actually gathered in
her eyes, and trickled down her cheeks. a
What on earth is Mrs Newton coming
here for? that is what would like to know?
Why, Mary! we might just as we'll open
boarding house at once; if we are to be
thronged with company in this style; we can
not afford it. Last summer. from the first
of July until the last of September it was
aperfect rush here. thought never should
get my haying and harvesting done and
now it has begun again. What can we do,
MaryP"
"Well, 1 am sure can not tell it seemed
as though should never get through with
another summer like last!n
Il suppose we shall have to put up with
relations coming to see us; it would not be
hospitality to tell them we could not wait
upon them; but this having everybody and
Wi a So, he
hurrying time of the year, when we are COM
PEELED to work all the time. and the days are
not long enough to accomplish our duties it
is outrageous. do not see what a man can
be thinking of, to tax an acquaintance so
abominably." r. .Efr.
well. my dear, if you can remedy the
evil, for one shall be thankful; for really the
burden is greater than | can bear, have had
to work the greatest part of every night for
two weeks; and now it is ali to 60 through
with again. fear shall give out entirely"
All that day Mrs Lamson worked as hard
as ever she could, and little past midnight
she spread out her washing upon the grass,
white quilts, blankets, sheets and pillow
cases. towels, napkins and table-clOths; and
Saturday morning found her again at the
wash-tub, to finish up the family washing that
for want of time had accumulated for two
weeks. The hired girl was active and will
ing, but midnight found the weeks work
behindhand and the sabbath. instead Of
being day Of rest, was occupied in brining
up the work for another weeks campaign.
Sunday evening the house was in order,
but that mammoth ironing was all to he done
next day; besides the cooking for ten hun
CRY hay-makers, the children TO be cared for.
and a six months baby into the bargain. II
was not very encouraging prospect.
Mr. and Mrs Iamson began the world
poor; they worked hard. economical closely
and had bought a farm in pleasant location
and were straining every nerve TO pay for it.
They were both pleasant. intelligent, afiable
persons, enjoyed society, and had n delight
full home. A farmers life is q laborlous one,
especially during the warm season, and the
young people did not shirk work. They had
four nice, well-behaved children, healthy
and active and. of course. it required labor
and constant care to rear them. Six years
before our sketch commences, cousin of Mr.
Lamson's, residing In the city, had n severe
sickness, and upon his convalesence the phys
ician urged the necessity Of u trip to the
mountains, to recuperate. In his feeble
health he disliked TO 90 among strangers
and wrote letter to Mr. Lamson to see II
they could receive him for n few weeks
they, of course, replied that they would be
happy to make him as comfortable AS posi-
BILE, and invited his wife to accompany him
Weeks ran into months, and not till the cold
winds of November arrived did they think
OF going to their home. The morning they
left the lady gave Mrs Lampson a plain
alpaca dress pattern, and the children each
an old dress of her own, to be modelled over.
aud with many thanks for their nevsr-to-be-