Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-10-31
THE SOAP WOMAN.

It is doubtful if the Judge would have
felt rs much surprised to hear his wife
say she was going to make a voyage to
Europe as to hear her say she was going
to make soap. They had not been very
long married then, and the judge was
not vet conversant with the full cata-
logue of that thoroughly home made
woman's accomplishments. She had
widow, left while her children were wee
bitgirls in very straitened circumstances.
The way the mother reared them up to
a true and useful womanhood was a
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 occupying positions of respectable
ity and influence. Judge Manotte's
wife was the youngest of the widows
daughters, and it was thought she had
made the best match Of the five. The
judges place was the pleasantest 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 us u lawyer. Manual toll
was a stranger to him, yet he was man
of industry, in no sense given to protuse-
ness of expenditure. lie 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. think the judge
would have been better satisfied if sae
would have had n girl Gall 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 needed
| for her own benefit.
Mrs Manotte had will and way of
her own, as this little tale will bear
abundant evidence. The judge made
this discovery pretty early. He could
doubtless make a moving plea in court
room, hut he was aware he could make
no plea to move his wife when she was
fully bent upon certain course.
But yet when Mrs. Manotte, over the
breakfast table of fair April morning,
announced her intention of making a
barrel of soft soap, the judge looked as
if stricken with sudden palsy. l doubt
| if he would have worn more ruefuI
face had his best lawsuit gone against
him.
"And hope you will help me all you
can," 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 unrutfled COM
posure but there was not in look oil
bearing one symptom of wavering from
her purpose.
"Then Imust 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
81 am perfectly willing to Duy all th'
soap we need, and what use should W.
have for the vile, sloppy stuf!'
"Soft soap was good enough for m.
mother and it is good enough for he
daughter" said Mrs. Manotte, with |
dignity approaching sternness.
shall make no vile. sloppy stuff, but al
article far more efficacious for cleansing
clothes and for various household pur
poses, than anything to be bought a
stores. Are you aware how mucl
money we paid out for soap last year
Mr.. Manottep"
+" No" said the judge, "and it doesn'
matter" !.
Indeed, think it does matter" sal
the wife. However much money pee
pie may have. they are never justitie
in wasting it. So hope you will ca
.. at the grocer's as you go down tn
| morning, and SEQ If you can procul
three molasses hogsheads
'.Three molasses hogsheadsr e,
I claimed the judge in tone Of mingle
: terror and dismay, "do you then pr'
I pose to manufacture the article /
i wholesaler | shall next be invited
y peddle soft soap by the gallon from do'
to door,
The wife laughed gleefully at her hu
bands rueful apprehensions, and aske'