Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-10-11
MRS. GAYS PRESCRIPTION.
Louisa NJ. Alcott, in Woman's journal

lLouiou 4h. AlSctts III w JOuIbul
Bang, bang, went the door, as Mr.
Bennett and boys hurried off to store
and school, leaving Mrs. Bennett to col
lect her wits and draw long breath
after the usual morning furry.
The poor little woman looked as il
she needed rest, but was not likely tc
get it; for the room was in chaotic
state, the breakfast table presented the
appea 'ance Of heving been devasted by
a swarm of locusts, the baby began to
fret, little Polly set up her usual whine
of want sumpin to dc" and pile of
work loomed in the corner waiting to be
done.
Il don't see how shall ever get
through it all, !" sighed the Respondent
matron, as she hastily drank last cup
of tea, while two great tears rolled
down / r cheeks, as she looked from
one puuy child to the other, and felt
the wea'iness of her own tired soul and
body more oppressive tFal ever.
"A good cry" was impending, when
there can brisk ring at the door, a
step in the hall, and a la 5e, rosy wc-
man came bl ling in, saying, in CHEEKY
voice, as she SET flower pot down up
on the table: Good mo ming! Nice
day, isn't it? Come in early on bust
ness and brought you one of my Lady
Washingtons, you are so fond of flowers u
"Oh, it's lovely! how kind you are.
Do sit down if you can find a chair; we
are all behindhand to-day, for | was up
half the night with poor baby, and
haven't en- aregy enough to 60 to work
yet" answered MI 5. Bennett, with sad
den smil le that changed her whole face,
while baby stopped fretting to stare at
the rosy clusters, and Polly found en-
ployment in exploring the pocket of
the new conner, as if she knew her way
there.
" Let me put the pot on your stand
first; girls are so careless, and I'm
proud of this 1t will be an ornament
to your parlor for week, and opening
a doo- NJ s. Gay carried the plant to a
my / y W; dc where many others
were blooming beau, fully.
Mrs. Bennett and the children follow
ed to talk and az mire, while the serv-
ant leisurelv C Jared the table.
" Now, give me that baby, put your
self in the easy chair, and tell me all
about your 7oi les said Mrs. Gay, in
the brisk, commanding way whicn few
people could resist.
I'm sure | don't know W te to be-
gin, sighed Mrs. Bennett, dropping into
the comic table seat, lile the baby
changed bearers with great composure.
!" | met your husband, and he said The
doctor had ordered you and these chicks
off to Florida for the winter John
said he didn't know how he should man
age it, but he mt to try"
ls1't it dreadful? He can't leave
lis business to 90 with me, and we shall
J ave 10 get Aunt Miranda to come and
see 10 him and the boys while I'm gone,
and The boys cant bear her strict, old
fashioned ways, and I've got to go on
t:S lorg jo, acy all alone, and stay
al. ong strangers, and these heaps Of
fall work to do first, and it will cost an
immense sum to Sc I'd us, and | don't
know what is to become of me- y
Here Mrs. Bennet stopped for breath,
and Mrs. Gay asked briskly, What is
the matter, with you and the children?"
well, baby is having a ard time
with his teeth and is croupy. Polly
doesn't get over scarlet fever well, and
I'm used up; no strength or appetite,
pain in my side and low spirits Entire
change of scene, milder climate, and
less work for me, is what we want, the
doctor says. John is very anxious
about us, and | feel regularly discour-
aged"
" I'll spend the day and cheer you up
bit. You just rest and get ready for
new start tomorrow; it is saving of
time to.stop short now and then and
see where to begin next. Bring me the
most pressing job Of work. | can sew
and see to this little rascal at the same
time.
AS she spoke, off went Mrs. Gay S
bonret, and by the time her hostess re-
turned with the overfowing work bas-
ket, the ergetic lady had put match
to the ready laid FIRE on the hearth,
rolled up a coach, table and easy chair,
and planted baby on the rug with a
bunch of keys to play with, and sat
smiling herself, as if work, worry ard
November weather were not in exist
ence.
Tots frock and Polly's aprons are
the things Tn most hurried about; they
need so many, and | do like my chill
dren to look nice among strangers" be-
gan Mrs. BeGnet, unrolling yards upon
yards of ruffling, for the white frocks
and pinafores, with glance of despair
at 'e sew 1g machine, whose click had
grown detestable to her ear.
" Make 'em plain if you a~e in hur-
~; children don't need trimming up,
they are prettiest in simple clothes
| can finish off that batch of aprons be-
fore dinner, If you will put that ruffling
away. Core now, do. it will be a load
off your mind, and Polly don't know the
difference"
I al ,rays do tim them, and every
one does" began Mrs. Beunet, who was
welded 10 her idols
"When [ was in London | saw a
dukes children dressed in plain brown
linen pinafores, and | thought I'd never
seen such splendid babies. Try it, and
if people make remarks, bring in the
English aristocracy, and 1t will be all
right"
There was a twinkle in IIrs. Gay s
eye that made her friend ashamed to
argue, so she laughed and gave up the
point, acknowledging with 81 gh that it
was a relief.
ct is this mania for trimming every
thing which is wearing out so many wo-
men, Necessary sewing is enough, then
drop yopr needle, and read, rest, walk,
or play with the children, and see how
much you have lost heretofore by that
everlasting stitching. You'd soon get
rid Of that pain in your side if you'd
let the machine stand idle while you
went out for an hour every day"
Perhaps | should, but | cant leave
the children, Biddy is so careless y
Take them with you. Roll baby up
and down that nice, dry sidewalk, and
let Polly run before, and you'd be a DIFF
ferent set OF people in month
& Do you really think SOP
Not only that, but if you'd change
your way of living, | don't believe you d
need to think of going to Florida at all. ,
Why, Mary Gay, what do you mean?'
demanded Ms. Benrct, sitting erect
upon the couch, in her surprise at the
unexpected remark
" | have often wanted to say this be
fore, and now. | will, though you will
think | am an interfering woman if ]
do. Never mird, if | can only save you
further worry and expense and suffer