Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-01-28
Selettt0 Storp.
JONES'S NEW LEAF.

Il was a dreary kiicheu-tho walls
were dirty and smoky, the breakfast
dishes stood on the table in the middle OF
the floor, the cooking stove was open,
with kettles snd pans on it, aud cold
ashes on lis hearth. its sooty plates awry.
8 pot of dish water standing on the top
OF the stove. and the broom and poker
and tOogs ,Ay iust where the little riders
had lett them when they were called TO
prepare for school. Johnny had gone of
crying, and his whine could even be
heard coming up the hollow, in the dTec-
tiOn of the school house. The milk bad
not been strained. and the flies were
buzz!ng about il as they sat on the edge
OF the two briumiog pals. slipping and
rubbing their heads together in a satisfied
looking way. The baby was Ieelhlug
and cross. and the one pair Of hands that
could have brought order out Of disorder
were trying 20 soothe ii.
Is It any wonder that tears were in the
mothers eyes IS she cuddlec her baby 10
heT bosom, and walked across the floor
trying TO still lis cries
30. dear. what s. lite what a life ="
said she; Il try 10 be patient and make
The best Of il, bu, i, does seem hardr'
JUS, as the babe was growing quiet,
and IS his little blue hands had fallen list
,essly upon his bosom, 3 shadow fell.
scross the doorway and the husband en-
tered, saying. Jane. can you tell me
what the children did with the haichet
yesterday ?"
Il. wss out on the rock, behind John
ny wagon, .as, night" said she. speak
ing low, aud gently laying the baby
down on bed that had not yet been
msde up.
Seems to me you're good while get
tin your chores done; yCu haven't the
knsck OF get,in' along like Mrs. Leyou-
dike-her work is done up long ago, an
she's busy in the garden; don't look much
Ike our'n; you dOnt put the time on it
thai she does on heT'n."
"Oh, john" said the little woman,
slipping back her sleeves and tying on 3
big apron, and trying to keep her face
turned away to hide the gathering tears,
with four little children and baby sick
with three cows 10 milk and calves TO
feed sad hands to cook for and sll the
other work to do, only wonder that
get half my chores done in whole day"
We'll. Im sure don't see how il is,"
said be; my mother had ten living chill
dren. snd she managed TO get along hrst
rate. and DO all our weaving. besides
isFingjn weaving for the neighbors. You
have more room than she had, and
you don't have TO carry water forty
rods. like she had-here it is right at the
loot OF the hill; and you never have TO
cut your own wood. unless il is IN the
mids. OF harvest. and think you should
not complain. IL there is anything | hate
70 hear it is a growing, whining wife
Now / have to be out o. doors all the
time, no matter how hot the sun shines,
or how cold the wind blows, while you
are in The shade and comlortable-if you
only knew it. All, you have an easy
time of it. you women. if you only knew
il; so cheer up. l maTii,d you tor q
helpmate. don't you know9 The girls
will DO big enough in three or four years
to help you, and then you can take times
easier, and may be bY that time the bot
tom farm will be paid for, and Wen be
able 10 ride in carriage like the Leyon-
dikes."
"How long is it since you brought in
this water p SAID be as he took drink
from the tin dipper. and finding it mol
fresh, be squirted it on. coolly on lhe
door among some pans that had slipped
| down of a shelf
As be took the Ratchet and started oul
20 the hay wagon to hX the rigging on it,
he said, Jane. il you can as well a.
not. s'posin' you have some O. them new
beans tbs, grow in he fur lot for dinner
We'll. I'll try" said she topeless!y
a. che slipped her shoes of so she NIGH
step softly and with more comfort. Al
We working women know what task il
is 10 bring disordered kitchen int
pea,ess. especially when lite children
have been about. First she strained the
milk saving one quar-; with which to mil
ths bread, for the yeast was set the
night before and had been bubbling two
hours; she mixed it and set it in the
warm sunshine, and then started fr'
and made iced OF skim milk for the noisy
frolicksome calves that ran in the door
ward. Then she swept and picked uI
plsytbings after the children, hung uI
their coats and aprons, and set their Ole
shoes away, and moved their sleds ane
wagons from about the doors.
While the dish water was heating she