The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-12-23
Judge Manotte's Soap Woman.

Il 10 uOuollul III the Judge WOulu nave
| i ielt as much surprise to hear his wife
say she was going to make voyage to
Europe, as to hear her say she was
going to make soapl They had not
been long married then, and the Judge
was not yet conversant with the full
catalogue of that thoroughly home made
woman's accomplishments. She had
been one of the five daughters of
widow, left while her children were wee
bit girls, in very straightened circum-
stances. The way the mother reared
them up to true and useful womanhood
was marvel of perseverance, industry
and economy. She managed to have
them well educated for the times, and saw
them all married into the best circles,
and all occupying positions of respecta-
biity and influence. Judge Manotte's
wife was the youngest of the widows
daughters, and 1t was thought that she
had made the best match of the five.
The Judges home was one of the pleas
antest in the thrifty village, which has
since assumed the more ambitious name
of city. He had been gently born and
raised, went early to college, and from
thence to his profession as a lawyer.
Manual toll was a stranger to him, yet
he was man of industry in no sense
given to profuseness of expenditure.
He approved and admired his wife's
general prudence in housekeeping, and
spoke with pride to his guests of the
excellent food with which his board was
spread, as the work of her own hands.
Mrs. Manotte might have kept servants.
l think the Judge would have been
better satisfied if she would have had
! girl-all the ladies of her position had
one or more-but she declared with
| decision, pretty early in their welded
life, that she would not be bothered
with servants as long as she had health
| to do her own work. The exercise was
no more than she need ed for her own
benefit.
Mrs. Manotte had a will and way of
her own, as the little tale will bear
abundant evidence. The Judge made
this discovery pretty early. He could
doubtless make moving plea in court
room, but he was aware he could make
no plea to move his wife when she was
bent on a certain course.
But yet when Mrs. Manotte, over the
| breakfast table of a fair April morning,
announced her intention of making
barr'l of soft soap, the Judge looked as
80 al a
if he would have worn u more rueful
| face had his best lawsuit gone against
| him.
And 1 hope you will help me all you
cam" added the earnest woman, on
thoughts of economy, ashes and grease
intent.
Indeed, can render you no assist
ance, whatever!" returned the Judge,
in sharper tones than his wife had ever
heard him speak before. Her calm blue
eyes surveyed him with unruffled COM
posure, but there was not in look or
bearing one symptom of wavering from
her purpose.
Then 1 must go about the job
alone," she said quietly.
81 beg you will do nothing of the
kind" continued the Judge, something
very like frown contracting his brow;
=" am perfectly willing to buy all the
soap we need, and what use should we
have for vile, sloppy stuff the rough
scuff use ?"
SAff xvac nnO6 ot>O Otlnla
mother, and it is good enough for her
daughter" returned Mrs. Manotte, with
dignity approaching sternness. 81
shall make novile, sloppy stuff, but an
article far more efficacious for cleansing
clothes, and for various household pur-
poses than anything to be bought at
stores. Are you aware how much
money we paid out for soap, last year,
Mr. Manotte ?'
NO." said the Judge, and it doesn't
matter"
Indeed, think it does matter" said
the wife, However much money peo-
pie may have, they are never justified
in wasting it. So hope you will call
at the grocers, as you go down this
morning, and see if you can procure
three molasses hogsheads."
Three molasses hogsheadsln ex-
claimed the Judge in a tone of mingled
terror and dismay, ''do you then propose
to manufacture the article by the whole
saley shall next be invited to peddle
soft soap by the gallon from door to