The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-12-23
"I don't complain of housework nor

"I don't complain of housework nor
of doing your sewing; but 1 do think
the burden of little Johnny has fallen
on me-"
"It strikes me-" said he, with pro-
voking complacency of tone, "that if
you earned his living you would have
less to say about the burden falling on
YOU"
john" said 1, "answer me hon
estly. Do you work any harder or any
longer now than you did when he was
born 2"
"I don't know as I do," said he; " 1
always worked hard enough"
"Well, and SO do 1. But now as to
Johnny. presume you will allow you
self half owner of him, as the law allows
you entire control over him. How much
do you do for him 2"
"I maintain him. 1 do my pa IT,"
"No, John, you are wrong; you don't
do your part. From the first you never
have. Did not weary months go by in
which you bore no part whatever of the
burden ?'
"Well, that is curious complaining
what would you have me do2"
"You might have got servant, in
stead of letting all the housework fall
on me; or you might have kept horse
so that could ride out and enjoy the
fine weather; but that is all past now. {"
"I should say that it cost me enough
for the doctor, nurse, etc., without
talking about keeping horse"
"True, it cost enough; but am talk
ing about the division of the burden.
Was the part you bore in the payment
of those bills equal to my part in the
matter9 Would you have taken my
place for that money if it were to have
been paid you instead of those who
cared for your I think not"
Didn't I have all his clothes to
buyl"
of any sort for season, and the money
saved from my wardrobe supplied all
that was needed; and I might add that
all his other clothes have been got in
the same way"
"Well, really, 1 had no idea how
much of martyr you were. Next you
will be clothing me in the same way.
How thankful ought to be for so calcu-
lating wife"
CHOW, in these two years." said 1,
continuing in the face of his sneer, call
of the care and confinement consequent
on attending the child have fallen on
me. I have managed some way to ac-
complish my Homework and sewing as
l used. l can hardly think how it has
beer done. Did it ever occur to you
to think how many times have been to
church since he was born2"
&C Vn,, ,unr1,l,,,t avna,t N ,,o, 10 4o1,
care of baby, would youf That isn't
mans work"
"Isn't n" said I. bitterly SO then I
wouldn't have q baby. ] have been to
church just four times, and then some
visitor had staid with Johnny. How
many times did you ever get up in the
night to soothe him when he has been
sick and fretful ?"
I" How do you suppose" said he, "I
could work by day if ] didn't get my
nights sleepa"
"Just the same way that I do when
my night is broken, exactly"
/" Well, Sarah, what is the drift of ali
this talk, any way2 for 1 don't see any
use in prolonging it."
well, then it is my original state,
ment-that as did my part of the fami-
ly labor and took all the care of Johnny,
and you are a man in prosperous cir
l am entitled to as much
money for that as if l were employed and
paid by the month for the same work,
and / have right to spend money for
things that don't suit you, if please to
do so and 1 may add" said 1, with
sudden vehemence, "tLat it is mean and
contemptible in you to try to oppose or
forbid my doing So"
John said no more. 1 saw by the
look in his eyes that he was quite angry;
and so was /. That was the first time
in our married life that we failed to kiss
each other goodnight. Indeed, felt
guilty, though I hardly know why, but
was late before fell asleep.
The next morning all was serene. No
trace remained of the evenings storm,
but nothing more was said about the
obnoxious subscriptions. Next day I
met Mrs. West, and she thanked me
very much for doubling my money.
Dear John ! He didn't mean to be
unkind, but he had never stopped to
think about such things. When his
next settlement came, and he slipped a
800 bill into my hand and said, "That
is for your private purse" l really
thought he was the best husband in the
world,