The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-10-15
JOneS's Housekeeping.

From the Buxton Advertiser
Don't tell me anything about it,
Maria" said Mr.. Jones. II think I've
stated the case clearly. A good mis-
tress makes a good servant and if
you give your orders to Nora-well,
say as l give mine to my clerk, all
would go on as it should. Try be-
ing very reasonable and very kind,
yet very positive. l don't want to
hurt your feelings, Maria, but 1 could
manage this house and see that the
little bit of cooking, and all the dust
ing, and sweeping, and triAing of
that sort was properly done without
stirring from my seat in the parlor.
We live very plainly, and really this
talk about housekeeping is absurd"
"But, Albert, my dear" said Maria.
"you don't understand. l merely
mentioned that mutton must never be
sent to the table rare. and she"
"There, there, Maria" said Mr..
Jones. II don't want to offend you,
but it's all your want of calmness.
Now, must run. I'd no idea it was
so late. But if you'd take my plan,
Nora would give you no trouble
whatever"
Mrs. Jones said no more, but she
kissed her husband good morning
with a look in her eye that meant
something; and when Mr.. Jones
came home at night he found his wife
with handkerchief about her fore
! read, Tying Oh the sofa. She had a
terrible headache, and, moreover, it
was no better in the morning
"And if you can stay at home,
dear" said Mrs. Jones, "1'll be so
thankful"
every well, my dear, 1 can stay,
and l will" said the husband, Sand
perhaps I'd better go for the doctor"
"No," said Mrs, Jones nothing
ails me but headache; but it's not
possible for me to attend to anything.
50 now, love, you can show me how
Nora should be managed"
Il think / can" said Mr.. Jones, II
think l can, Maria. What will you
A~P = ANA Va Cah1doU, AOW
"Oh, nothing but toast and tea
said Maria; "and there's steak in the
house, you know, and eggs, and you
must give out coffee"
Mr.. Jones nodded and rang the
bell. There was no answer.
Il suppose Nora is not up yet"
said Mrs. Jones, II generally wake
her,"
II should never think of waking
my clerk" said Mr.. Jones. mora
should be taught to rise at proper
hour to begin her daily duties. How
ever, I'll rap at her door"
Having climbed the stairs for this
purpose, Mr.. Jones succeeded at last
in producing from the interior of
Noras apartment loud
''Lord save us, is the house afre,
mum, that you're batin' in the door ?"
"The house is not on fire." replied
Mr.. Jones with dignity, "but it is
time that you were up. In future
rise at seven without being called"
'Did ever hear the like ?" retorted
Nora. $40 you think a gurrl is an
owl to Shape with one eye open ?"
Il have given my orders, Nora"
said MI. Jones, gravely.
"Then I'll take none from you, sill"
said Nora.
However, shortly after she came
Tapping down stairs in her morning
slippers, and was heard splitting kind
ling wood in the kitchen, whereupon
Mr.. Jones again rang the bell. This
performance produced no effect, he
rang it six times in succession, and
at last growing hot with indignation.
bounced down stairs.
did you hear me ring, Nora ?" he
! asked.
II did and was wonderin' if you
found it amusin'," replied Nora.