Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-05
How Mrs. McGOOchen Did Her Own
HOuSewOrk.

Mrs. McGOOcnen Dedneu sUldnQly across.
the breakfast table on her husband, and
informed him that she had concluded to,
discharge the hired girl and do her own
work. This announcement startled Mr.
almost as much as if she had
declared her determination TO commit
suicide He had long known that hired
help was heavy drain upon his meager
salary, but his wife had educated him to
regard it as Indispensable, and he had
made up his mind to endure it forever
That she should voluntarily offer TO dis
pense with the services of a girl was some
thing for which he was not prepared.
Looking at her with an expression in
which hope and doubt painfully mingled,
he said:
4ou-why-you can't do it, Eliza"
90" Can't do it, indeed? I'd like to know
what's the reason? Lots of women in this
town do a great deal more, and think
nothing of it. Our familys small-iust
you and me and Henry Ward-and i'll
can't do the work for us three I'd better i
90 to hospital and done with it.
What put you into the notion?" asked
her husband, hardly vet recovered from
his surprise. 81 p,
Well, Peter, she replied, speaking in
q tender selfreproving tone, "I'lltell you.
I've been thinking lately how hard you
have to work, and how little / have. done
to assist you in comparison with what
might and ought to do, and it appears to
me that should try to reduce our eX-
penses as much as possible, and the best
way l know of is to do my own house
work. We are poor, just making be-
ginning in life, and it is. my duty to help
you"
With voice almost choked with emo.
ton at this unexpected evidence of his
wite's devotion and energy he feebly es-
sayed to break her resolution, saying that
he didn't want her TO be a slave for him,
that she was too delicate for the task she
contemplated that all he asked of her was
continued love and sympathy
ooh, that's all romance" interrupted
Mrs. McGoochen. Its high time .ny
love and sympathyswere assuming prac-
teal form. I'll discharge the girl this
very day. But there is one condition,
Peter ID
"Name it, my noble wife"
"That new carpet you thought we were
unable to get Now if ] do my own work
it will save us at least hundred dollars a
year and you can certainly afford the car
pet"
t"Of course, my love, if you are satisfied
you are not undertaking more than you
can perform"
Mack lugged the carpet home at noon and
found the girl gone" His wife was gone
too, but she returned shortly, having only
been around telling the neighbOrs that she
was now doing her own work Dinner
was late, but then it was the first meal by
her fair fingers, and he could make allow
mce 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 a hundred
dollars a year, and could well afford such
her visit to the rest of the neighbors whom
she had been informing that she was now
doing her own work she was delighted
with the new chair, and declared that they
must have full set of furniture to match
it. You know, Peter, that Twill more
than save the cost of it.in the course Of a
year, and | will feel so proud to know that
my labor secured it," This was said so
beseechingly, and she hungso lovingly on
his neck thewhile, that Mack couldntresist
the appeal, The furniture was sent down
| the next day. ~ '...- ..4.1
About three days after, Mrs! GTcGoochen
coaxed Peter into buying her silk dress,
and the neXtday she wheedled him out Of
set of jewelry 1t was the same old plea
she was Tightening the expenses 50 much
| by doing her own work that she felt she
was entitled to something extra. 1t would
amount to no more, she reasoned than the
hire of girl, and Peter could well afford
! to give it to her.
Mack began to get uneasy. Was there,
after all, any saving in doing without
| hired girl I? Wouldn't that sort of
economy bankrupt him in less than
year? He got piece of paper and pen
ell and figured: ...@ ...
Expenses one week without help: e.
Carpet. ..-..--.....-..... $50 90
Furniture -. ....................... 30 90
Dress and jewelry- so 90
Total. ...--.-........-------..-... $50 90
Cost of help one week 90
Balance in favor of a domestic. S148 90.
McGOochen was astounded Grasping
the paper and bis hat, he made rapid
strides for home. Opening the door, the
first object that met his frenzied gaze was
the hired girl That scheming woman,
having succeeded in tricking her poor hus-
band out Of the things she had set her
heart on, had recalled and reinstated the
help.
Mack is well satisfied to have the girl
back, as he had become very tired of cold
meals, but he wishes that the law would
allow him to proceed against his wife for