Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23
NUMBER FOUR, PROVIDENCE ROW.
CHAPTER /.


Their outward appearance is inviting
but to find out what pretty little homes
they are we must take peep into No. g.
for No. 6, Providence Row, is always in
readiness to receive a visitor.
The Dutch clock strikes two; and
Mary Gooding begins to fold her work as
she says:
= suppose | had better 60 now,
mother. | promised Mrs. Parkins l
would run IN for little while as soon as
you could spare me-"
Very we'll, my dear, be off as soon as
you like; and if you can help her to get
her home little straight, Go So"
Mrs. Gooding might we'll make this
last remark; and Mary thought of her
mothers words as she entered Mrs. Par
kins' house, number four, a few minutes
afterward, and cast a glance around at the
picture of misery that it presented.
As she looked at the unswept stove, and
the unw6shed breakfast and dinner
things, a thought came into her mind how
different the room would look if these lit
tie matters were attended to- The room
altogether wanted treshening; there was
an unwholesome closeness that made
Mary long to throw open the window and
TO have purifying current of fresh air
through at once.
She had ample leisure for noting all
these things; for Mrs. Parkins was few
doors down the Row, gossiping with a
neighbOr, whose tastes were, unfortunate
ly, very much like her own.
On seeing Mary turn in at the gaI den
gate, Mrs. Parkins had given her friend
ynod as she called out:
You can letyourself in PM coming
in minute!"
But the minute extended to twenty be-
fore she could put al end to her interest
. ing conversation.
The sight of Mary Gooding, looking so
neat, brought up fresh subject to talk
about, and Mrs. Parkins and her neigh
Dor had to wonder at the apparent extrava-
gance OF Mrs. Gooding in wearing, and
allowing her daughter to wear, print
dresses, which, as Mrs. Parkins and every
one else knew, showed the dirt at once,
and required to be washed so frequently.
But then some people are like that"
said Mrs. Parkins; and it | went to those
: extravagances, my young man might have
cause to complain of me; but as | am as
saving DIS | can be, do think it's little
hard when he's everlasting fault fndingm
That's just as feel!" and the neigh
Dor settled herself ,.gainst the rails in
order 10 be a little more comfortable while
she poured few of her troubles into Mrs.
Parkins' ears
I'm sure we poor wives are perfect
slaves"
Yes, nothing but work.
When am I ever tidy and done? when
does any one ever see me sitting down to
needlewOrk ?"
:" Neverw
No! It's as much as can 90 to get
straight by the time Jones comes home,
and then he's always grumbling because
i don't mend the children's clothes"
Mendr exclaimed Mrs. Parkins,
there's not much time for that But l
must be off now"
Yes, and suppose must go IN and
light the fire again; | dare say it is out by
this time. You wouldn't believe the
wood we burnt added Mrs Jones, in in
lured tones Z" but my grumbler expects a
good fire when 4ie comes home, cost what
il will"
With laugh the two neighbors sepa-
rated. Mrs. Parkins, with her two un-
washed children, FASTENED down the dusty
Row, raising quite cloud behind her by
the futtering Of the untidy rags at the end
OF her dress.
I've got back at last" she said, as she
stepped into her cottage. Really, when
Mrs. Jones gets hold of one, there's no
knowing when to get away. But, Mary,
0what are YOU about?"
- Oh, Mrs. Parkins, hope you won't
mind" and Mary looked up from the
stove at which she had been iniustriously
brushing, but thought l might help to
clean up the place bit.'
. Yes, but you needn't take ali that
trouble; aud you've taken up all the Gin
ders!"
:. l would have sifted them for you, but
/ couldn't find a sieve"
''Oh, we've no SITTER"
:" Nell, we always burn our cinders.
I5LGther says it is such a saving of Goals; ii
makes them last as long again"
MIS- Parkins made no answer to this
but in moment she said:
well, it does seem q shame to let you
do that,for me, with your clean dress on
Il brought my large, coarse apron with
me, for ] knew you wanted to get bi
straight for when Mr.. Parkins comes
home"
All that so; for of late he has beer
snore than usually grumbling, and he has
threatened to be ef to the public-house