Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-02-04
MRS. WILKINS DUTY.

Ole 10 (lO SllS SdI(t,
but like the kitchen work of poor house
keepers it was never done up. Tim in
sisted that there was more than belonged
to one family. "Aunt Elizabeth took in
good deal for other folks;" and once he
slyly chalked sign upon the front door:
"Duty Done Here" But then Tim had
arrived at that peculiar age when a boy
has no rights and is needed to run on
errands, and it is probable that duty
his aunt's not his own-interfered with
his comfort even more than of older peo-
pie.
In truth Mrs. Wilkins duty was not
convenient article to have about the
house. 1t was bustling, aggressive
affair, always springing up unexpectedly,
like one of the dogs so unaccountably
petted in some households for their sole
virtue Of being always in the way. Nov
ing forward, one runs against the creature
and it growls; moving backward, one
steps upon its tail and it snarhs. 1t lies
upon the back piazza to be carefully
stepped over in the day and disastrously
stumbled over at night; and haunts the
front steps to bark at every member of
the family going out.
Mrs. Wilkin kept no dog, but her duty
shifted an opportunity and bounced out
of its hiding-place, when there came a
timid little knock at the dining room
door in the early morning, and its an
swering revealed small, quiet-faced,
brown-robed figure, face and dress both
past the freshness of youth, carrying a
basket.
"Good morning, Mrs. Wilkin."
"Come in?" questioned Mrs. Willzin,
with only half an invitation in her voice.
The acceptance was only half one
likewise
The little brown woman stepped in
certainly, and poised herself on the outer
edge Of chair nearest the door.
81 called to see If you didn't want to
buy some knitted articles or to engage
some work of that Sort" she began in a
deprecating voice.
ssWell, L DON'T interposed Mrs
Wilkin, very positively. [ do all such
work myself"
ssI didn't know. Many ladies haven't
time, and I'm glad to do it.
81 suppose so, but consider it my
duty to do all [ can myself and set other
folks the example, whether they follow
it or not" said Mrs. Wilkin, with a
slight gesture like emptying her hands
of responsibility. IF I was going to
give out work at all it would be some
hard jobs it would be help to be rid of,
not the pick and choice, little, easy
things that I call rest and not work; but
then I amt so particular as some, and SO
I do all kinds myself"
A faint flush crossed the visitors thin
faoa Cho 1uoC not C11it, c1,ro cho Io Il
been called INDECENT and advised to go to
work and earn an honest living; the
words only had an uncomfortable sound;
so the lips kept their timid, gentle smile,
though they trembled little She held
first one hand in its thin cotton glove,
and then the other to the fire; moved un-
easily, glanced down at her feet with q
dim thought that if they had always
chosen the smoothest path it had been
rough enough to wear out her shoes fast
er then she could replace them; and then
she arose to to go.
"Wasn't you rather hard on her.
Liz beth 2" asked Mr.. Wilkin, with q
regretful glance toward the door as il
closed.
Mrs. Wilkin returned to her seat at
the breakfast table and surveyed him
over the coffee-pot.
"Hard on her? only told her what
to do, and if that pricks her conscience
and makes her uncomfortable, it's not
my fault. But You needn't worry; she
Just said good morning as sweet as ever.
She's one of the weak kind that can't be
stirred up and have not spunk enough to
say their souls are their own. I wonder
what such folks are good for9 THEY'LL
never make the world any better that's
sure. They haven't courage enough to
help down any evil if it was right under
their noses; they'd only stand and smile.
The very sight of 'em provokes me.
consider it my duty to speak out when I
see things going SO wrong"