The Van Buren press., 1875-10-12
The Wife's Mistake.

Mrs Hopgood prided herself on being
one of the best Of housckeepers. She
was one of those rabii housewives who
pursue an atom fof dust as hunter
might pursue stag No bold -natured
fv ever dared to buzz within her dainty
walls. No cat purred upon her hearth.
stone. Plants were tabooed because their
leaves would fall Canary birds we're
ruthlessly excluded lest they should scat
ter seed Sunshine was regarded as an
arch enemy.
1T brings flies. and fades the carpets,
said Mrs. Hopgood.
As for Mr.. Hopgood and the children,
they lived mostly in the kitchen.
4 can't have the boys muddy boots
tramping over the carpets, and the girls
sewing in the parlor,' said Mrs Hopgood,
As for Hopgood. he don't care where he
sits. One place Is asgood as another,
where he is concerned.
The Hopgood family also took their
meals in the kitchen.
I've got dining-room rs nice rs any
body's, said Mrs Hopgood, with real
carved oak sideboard with q marble top.
and silver polished till it's better than any
looking glass, but where's the use OF
turning things upside down, just for ones
OWE family? Common crockery ware,
and good bone handled knives are just
as good for every day usc.'
Mamma said Elsie Hopgooa, cher
ry checked girl Of sixteen, ! should like
to sit in the parlor, sometimes. Mrs.
Montfront and her daughter use theirs
every evening. and it looks so pretty and
pleasant there
.Stuh and nonsense. said Mrs. Hop
good, sharply Il keep house myself af-
ter my own fashion, and give others
leave to do the same
But, mamma, pleaded Elsie, was
thinking how would ike to invite all
the girls here, some evening, and have
tea and afterwards little dance. have
been asked OFT 50 many times without
ever responding that l am ashamed to
60
Then you had better stay at home,
said Mrs Hopgood, polishing vigorous.
ly away at the stem Of her silver card
receiver. Il think see myself, with all
the young folks in town. dancing on my
Brussels carpet. and cake crumbs, and
melted cream daubcd over everything
Elsie made no answer, but her counte.
nance fell.
Il wish mamma was like any one else,
she said to herself, the tears obscuripe
her eyes Il wish she was like Kate
Pricketts m other, who lets her have com
pany every Thursday evening. John Ell
ton wants to marry her II | was mar
ried, could have a house of my own
and do as pleased.
Mother said Mr. Hopgood, a week
or two afterwards, with q troubled face
: is it true that our Elsie is out walking
with John Elton, evening after evening
lie is worthless, dissipa.ed fellow, ant
no fit associate for any girl
Mercy upon u.s. don't know sale
Mrs. Hopgood, with perturbed face.
supposed she was with Kate Prickct o
Clara Montfort I'm great deal too
busy with picking and housekeeping t.
run at a giddy girls heels the whole time
But IN going to commence cleaning, to
morrow, and then I'll warrant I'll Civ,
her enough to do to keep her out Of mis-
chief
Mother said Isaac Hopgood, grave
lv, sometimes | thiuk that if We mad
home a little more attractive to our Chi.
dren--'
20, nonsensen petulantly interrupte'
his wife. Il suppose you'd like us to hav'
a ttbieaur, like Airs. Montfront; or
magic lantern like the little Mickfsrds
Our children havn't been brought up tina
way.
And Mr., IIopgood said no more
Mrs Hopgood. to use her own expires
sion, was in the thick of house cleaning
the next dav, with the carpets rolled int'
heaps. the floors spattered with soapsud
and her head tied up in pocket hand
kerchief, when the door was saddenl,
opened.
Take care of my pail of soapsuds ant
soda T cried she, shrilly. 'Ol it's you
is it. AllyT
Yes, mother, it's me- said Alexander
her eldest son who had just gone into
business as junior partner to his father
Il say-do leave or washing minute