Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-10-13
The Young Wife's Confus s'sn

! Come when | may | had the house as neat
a handbox and my little wife as fresh as a rose
I like that, Nell I've always thought that
anything could put me out of temper viii
the woman loved il would be TO come hOm
aud find the house topsy-turvy and my VIII
in soiled wrapper and with rough head
Little woman, you're a treasure, and In
proud Of you !"
And Edward Hastings kissed his pretty
bride until her cheeks glowed like the rec
June roses out in the sunshine.
She was very. very happy, very much pleased
and lattered al her husbands praise.
They had'been married just six months, ant
Nell was pattern for all young housewives.
She rose with the birds that made tbeii
nests iu the great apple tree, and did he'
housework in the early morning hours.
Come when be niight, her husband slway'
found his little home in order the cupboard
stored with something good to eat, and bis
wife dressed in fresh wrapper, with flower
10 her hair and smile Of welcome on her fair
face.
" If there is one thing more likely to pro-
Ike a fellow than another" he went on, lin
gering a moment on the sunny porch, his arm
round her waist, It's to bring = friend home
to diuner or luncheon aud fnl everything out
Of sorts. Now, there's Grayesley; bis wifc''
fne woman when you zee her out-a snowy
woman, always well-dressed Well, Graves
lev invited me to lunch that day, and we
went out together. | went, but WAS sorry
enough for il. Such house as We fouud
all hcels-over- head, and caught sight OF
the mistress, disappearing up stairs 10 cur
papers and slippers. She was indisposcd, and
could not see US, the girl said. We lunched
on bread and creeee, aud Grsvesley, poor iel'
low, though lie said nothing, looked exceed
ingy annoyed should have been angry
think a wife should make il her duty to keeE
her house aud her person 10 respectable order
SO that her husband, come when he may, may
hnd ner ready 10 welcome hiul
$50 DO l." id Nell, smiling up into hi
face You need never be afraid to invite .
frierd home with you, Ned. No matter if
don know, shall be ready to receive you"
Ned gave her ringing kiss.
"Very well, little woman; shall try 20,
one Of these days-sud now | must run
Goodbye"
She watched him out Of sight with happl
eyes and then went back to her pretty sitting
-~,-o onI ha- u'cri. -'ahlc
Jane" said Mrs. Hastings, one briqh
morning, returning from the garden-ga
have just looked at the currants and they ar
quite ripe. We must make our Jelly at once
Now Mr.. Hastings won't be home till late to
day. want to spend tho day with mothe
tomorrow and should very much like to ge
the job off my hands to-day. What do yo'
say p
q can soon pick the currants, ma'am."
"All right suppose you begin. We won
clean up now Let the house stand, though
it is dreadlully ou, Of order. Perhaps we ma,
find time to s,raighten up when We get To
fruit cooking. Hurry now, and pick as ias
you can, and I'll step over to Browns and or
der some sugar and jars"
Jane obeyed, leaving the breakfast-roon
unswcpt and the front steps unwashed.
1t WAS high noon before the first kettle 0
Juice was got in cooking order.
Making currant jelly was rather more Of al
undertaking than Mrs Hastings imagined.
She had seen it made at home under be
mothers supervision, and making it hersel
she fancied would be quite as easy.
"Dear me, how the time flies Do hurry
Jane What lot there is yet to strain Bu
we must get done dare say it won't tax
the Juice long to thicken. Mamma used t
make it in no time. What are We to do abou
dinner. ! wonder? We can't cook the ham
there's no room on the fire. We mus, have
makeup dinner when We have finished. Mr.
Hastings will excuse US, am sure"
And, arrayed in Ler holland apron, will
her pretty braids all pushed back and be
sleeves tucked above her elbows, Nell worke'
away with all her might, picking, boiling
straining, until her checks were flushed anC
her head ached.
Why, Jane, this Juice won't Jelly, and /
has boiled so long. Wha, can be the matter !?
There's something you put in to make j
lelly think, ma'am."
On, dear, no. Mother never did, I'm sure
I'll add more sugar and let il boil ano,he
hour. Dear me thought we should have
had our last kettle on by this time We shal
be 80 late, and I'm tired to death now. wisl
I bad done as mother said. She advised NJ
10 send the cunants over there and let Han
nah make the jelly, bat | was sure could d
it myself"
The steaming kettle boiled another hour
The summer sun hung above the green sun
nit Of the poplars.
Surely it will be jelly nov, Jane" sal
the weary housewife, pouring some Of the no.
red liquid into cold water.
But juice it remained, for all the cookini
and stewing it had undergone.
"0h, what shall do? Surely the stuf
must be bewitched I've a great mind to pou
il all away" cried poor Nell, ready 70 CT.
with ve1ation.