The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-09-23


self, for hope your husband don't come
late; as Mr.. Prod has an idea that il
isn't respectable for q person to be seen
entering at an unreasonable hour"
Mr.. Fleshly always comes home IA
tigued, at supper time, and nothing
could persuade him to stir out of the
house till morning."
"That reminds me that would wish
to walk out back and see what kind of a
yard or garden you have got, before we
make a division Of fronts and backs. A
back kitchen or back parlor is often
more pleasant than the front, If there is
something green to rest the eye upon.
"Tbat is very true; but we have
nothing green here at present, replied
+, the landlady, leading the way majestic
ally to the small and barren area III the
rear, where there was a crop OF clothes
lines, but not blade of grass, nor even
a sickly tree "But you are at liberty
topiantand cultivate whatever you please,
except vegetables and sunhowers We
shouldn't wish TO have it look like a
market garden, and Rebecca has par
ticular dislike for suntiowers. You might
make it look aperfect paradise, and then,
perhaps, you would prefer to have all the
back rooms you could get. They would
be away from the noise of the street, and
back kitchen is handiest in several re-
spects.
81 will speak to Mr.. Prod about it, q"
said Mrs. Prod. turning her back upon
the gloomy prospect, which lent no force
to the argument. "And, now that YOU
speak of the kitchen, how will it be
about washing and sweeping the stair
ways and entries?"
"We will take our turn, of course
butt suppose that as you have four men
folks-for the boys are worse than men,
in respect of wear and tear and dirt
you would not object to doing about
two-thirds instead of one-half the clean
ing, we having but one male person to
three women"
CT will speak to Mr.. Prod about it,"
was the faint and evasive answer. 1t
seems reasonable, but my boys are very
clean and orderly, always scrape their
feet before they come lin, and are careful
81 am glad you have spoken about
that" proceeded the landlady, "for 1T
reminds me of what L was going to ask
you--whether you pay much attention
to dress, as general thing, or merely
dress tidily, or don't care much if you
go slip-shod and anyhow. Some of the
best people, to be sure, go slipshod and
anyhow; but Rebecca is very particular
about appearances, and L think myself,
and so does Mr. Feshly, that it is best
Tor people to be always respectfully
clad."
"You will have no cause to be troubled
on that score" replied Mrs. Prod, with
proud smile. GAS for James and
Samuel, they always dress as if they
were gong TO Sunday-school. They
take after my brother Joseph, who Is
regular dandy. AS to my husband,
there is no end to the clothes he has
and for myself, this black silk dress
hasn't spot nor rip in it, and yet it
is the meanest one L have. L am very
glad you spoke of that, for 1 was going
to ask you the very same question
whether you and your husband, and
your sister Rebecca, and your grand
mother observed nearness and the fash
ions for it would be quite notifying
to us if you were not scrupulous in that
respect.
utu W6 dlOlH
~" returned Mrs. Fleshly, apparently
much pleased at this homage to dry
goods, "if we agree upon other things.
1 have known two families to live in the
same house for twenty years, and hard
~ know which family they belonged to,
if they had "a good understanding with
each other and agreed upon all the lit
lie points.
"There is one little point 1 should
like to inquire about, said Mrs. Prod.
" We are very happy family, and the
boys viii laugh and talk, and Joseph is
a great singer. He has splendid bass
voice, and when L play and he sings, and
Mr.. Prod Is telling funny stories to
James and Samuel, perhaps we might
disturb You"
81 am glad you spoke of that, ex-
claimed Mrs. Fleshly, for [ forgot TO
ask you if you made much noise. Now,
Grandmother Fleshly is pretty deaf, but
on fire; and if your brother Joseph has
Il very bass voice, she might hear it and
think it was an alarm of fire, and it
might cause her death. We have to be
very CAREFUL about grandmother, as she
is 80 years of age, and we wouldn't wish
her to die prematrrely. So don't you
think on her account, if not for Rebecca,
you would prevail upon Joseph to dis
pense with his singing, and induce Mr..
Prod and the boys to speak in low
tone and laugh mildly?"
Ct will speak to Joseph, and Mr.
Prod, and james, and Samuel about it,
said the obliging Mrs Prod, land per-
haps they will"
"Mr. Fleshly is very fond of his
pipe" said Mrs. Flesbly, wishing to
suggest recompense for the sacrifice
required, ,"and perhaps your husband
and brother would like to pass the even
ings and smoke with him occasionally"
"Smoke Oh, no, indeed Mr.. Prod
can't bear the smell of tobacco, and it
always makes Joseph sick. Don't you
Think am very glad you happened to
speak of that-that you could persuade
Mr.. Fleshly to give up his pipe?"
"He always smokes down in the kitch-
en-" suggested the landlady, with look
of dismay.
80 Rut that would make IL still more