Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-12-26
"Ahead of Time" !"

StFuCk Out loT my Sell.
l had been driving mile or two with
my cherry friend. DIR. Mary Stedman.
and until that moment was unaware of
any motive for the ride other than the
usual one Of pleasure to US both.
ii have warm place in my bcart for
my native Vermont" she went on;
'.and knowing how love it, | am sure
you have often wondered why did not
remain here instead of seeking home
and a profession for myself among stran-
gers
l had often speculated on this very
subject, but there was no time to con-
fess it. for at that moment my compan-
ion reined up suddenly, and with a
brisk 'Here we are !" jumped from the
carriage.
"Thls,' pointing to weather-beaten
but still comfortable looking house, sis
the homestead. Since the death of our
parents my eldest brother has lived here.
You needn't be at all disturbed as |
naturally hesitated about intruding
among strangers, "as my sister-in-law
expects US.
"How cool how neat! how shady
and comfortable !" were my first ex-
clamations as followed my leader into
the old fashioned parlor.
Just so," she responded dryly.
sand, my dear, you might search from
cellar to garret of this great house, and
though you stood upon ladders, and
peered with microscope on your hands
and knees, you would never be able to
find fly"
Mrs. Stedman looked as her sister-iu-
law had described her-"like a very sad
and troubled ghost" She was pain
fully thin and haggard. and at least a
dozen times during our short call l no.
ticed her mournful eyes fill with tears.
"Well Sarah," said the doctor, "you
are as busy as ever, suppose ?"
"oh. yes" our hostess replied !:
"there is never any end to work
"Been making butter, today ?''
81 made little over forty pounds,
this morning"
Before breakfast, | suppose ?"
The doctors tone was somewhat crisp.
81 churned at four, and | have lust
worked by butter over. | don't mind
so much when churning doesn't come
washiDg-days; and. you see, cream has
got to be attended to whenever it is
ready"
"Been washing, too ?" my friend in
quired.
"Oh, yes And it did seem as if
had every garment in the tub that there
was in the house p
80 you've made forty pounds of but
ter said the doctor, .washed-and
what else %
"Not much else besides the regular
work. | picked some beans for dinner
and made few pies; that's all ~
At this point my friend, much to my
surprise, turned the conversation into
other channels, and soon after we took
our leave.
at seems to me you have neglected
an opportunity" I remarked, as soon as
we had driven away.
81 suppose you'd think so," my com
panion answered; 'but you can form
no conception of the amount of breath
have wasted on that very case. l an
regarding it now solely from a scienti6,
standpoint. think | can calculate tht
length of that woman's days within 8
fraction of time"
, 81 should think your brother wouldn'
allow his wife to work so," | remarked
"What does he know about it ?" sale
the doctor. "He comes into the hous,
for the three meals that are prepared fol
him, and when night comes he goes t
bed and to sleep, or he drives over tt
the village and spends his evenings will
his friends. My brother works hard
but he works out Of doors, and tha
saves him. Sarah has an excellent rep
utation as wife and house-keeper al
over the county. She has helped my
brother LAY up'-in Vermont vernacu
lar-several thousand dollars. 1t doesn't
take a prophet to see that another wife
will have the benefit of this ones toll
though it is probable, if she comes from
this section of the country, she'll not
have sense enough to be benefited BY
any thing !"
eff your sister-in-law would only
have servant" | suggested.
ga servant Why, what greenhorr
you are said the doctor. '.Do you
think my brother and his wife are strong
enough to bear the finger of scorn thai
would inevitably be pointed at then
should they employ servant? 1t is fal
better, my dear. to work ones self t.
death than to be called lazy and shift
less and extravagant. If this were no
| the case they would not think they
could afford servant. My brother il
dominated, soul and body. by the spiri