The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-03-06

when poor motner Is oVerheated, over
worked from morning till night, not
one hour to rest all day; and Just as
soon as we girls are large enough to
help you, we have to run for the tur.
keys, drive the cows, feed the pigs, and
leave you to toll on alone. It is burn.
ing shame!"
Jennie, your father does not look at
it as you do.''
1t is high time he did; and I am
going to give him chance, before l
leave home, too.''
"Leave home. child! Where are
you going?"
Somewhere. Yes, I shall be
eighteen next month, and am going to
see if there is a place where one can
have an hours rest, to enjoy reading.''
"My child, how can spare you
what will baby do?"
elf l am away, Eta will take my
place, instead of working out-of-doors
as much as she does now-it will be bet
ter for her. A man has no business to
make girl work as she has to. Don't
you think it would be easier for her If
was awayp"
"Oh dear, my child, 1 can not see
how it will be. I do not think your
father will like it. Does George know
how you feel?' And the poor woman
sighed heavily.
" Yes, mother. told him last night;
he thinks his wife would have an easier
time than you have had; but farmers
wife is a slave; her work is never
done. Mother, if George Hartwe1 was
any thing but farmer, I think I could
love him enough to marry him; but as
it is, | would rather remain an old maid
to the end of my ife.''
+" You do not object to him-only his
occupation?'
"That is all; really think he is
very pleasant" Just then Mr.. Wells's
voice rang out from the top of the load
of hay which was beiug drawn into the
barn.
"Jennie, its time to get the cows.
You girls will have to do the chores, for
we must get in three more loads of hay
tonight"
Jennie Wells knew what that meant !;
she and her sister Eta had the cows to
drive from the pasture, more than half
mile off; twelve cows to tie up and
milk; eight hogs to feed milk to strain /;
find the turkeys, count and feed them
chickens to feed and shut up in their
coops; two horses to water, feed and
bed down, and supper to get for four
men; and it was now about 8 O'Clock
She laid her work down and with COM
pressed lips, Joined her sister, who sat
on the doorstep tanning herslf with her
hat; her pleasant face was sunburnt,
covered with perspiration and dirt, and
the tears were trickling down her
cheeks.
"What is it, Eta darling? Don't cry
l will bring you q basin of water and the
towel, and you rest. I will getthe COWS
alone. Poor little sister!"
81 am tired almost to death, Jennie
1t is not going to rain! They are going
to gain time to go to the bear-hunt to-
morrow. Inever can milk the COWS to.
night, I'm so tired.''
"Sit and rest; you feel better now,
you have bathed."
"Some the Hartwells, have more hay
out than we have, and their milking il
done, and the girls did not have to dc
it either; the girls did not rake after
the cart over there; they have good
time'
ssEtta had better take care and resi-
on the settee, Jennie, while you are gone
for the cows" said the mother softly
from the sitting-room, as Jennie started
from the door.
"Yes, Eta, 90 in! He can not SEE
you in the house when he goes back-sc
he won't set you to work"
the poor, tired girl went in doors
and Jennie walked with brisk step to-
wards the pasture.
Mr.. Wells was well-to-do farmer
He inherited from his father snug
farm, well stocked, and in good cultiva
ton. He was fine looking man, anC
was considered the best match in town
so when he married the minister's eldes
daughter every one thought she was {
fortunate girl--such nice home, 81
smart husband, and so we'll off too
So thought the young bride for while
but that was before she knew what wa
before her.
Though she never complained, sh'
did not think so now, neither had sh'
been of that opinion but few month";
after her marriage. She was perfec
slave, both soul and body, held in bond
age by Ezra Wells. He would hav'
been astonished if any one had told hin
he was tyrant in his family; that hi
children did not love him; that his wifi
was afraid of him. But yet this was th'
truth. Property was all he cared for
to have the best crops, the fattest cattle
the best horses, and make the most but
ter and cheese, of any man in town wa
his highest ambition, and every persol
and thing had to be subservient to thi
end. His four eldest children wer
girls; the two Oldest were very prett
girls-the next two died in infancy
then came boy, delicate child al