The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-11-05
"AHEAD OF TIME"

nv CHEEKY friend, DR.. Mary Stedman,
and until that moment was unaware OF
any motive for the ride other than the
usual one of pleasure to us both.
81 have a warm place in my heart for
nv native Vermont" she went on;
..and knowing how L love it, l am sure
YOU have often wondered why did not
remain here instead of seeking home
and a profession for myself among
strangers. ....
l had often speculated on this very
subject but there was no time to con-
fess it, for at that moment my COM
panion refined up suddenly, and with
brisk ''Here we aren' jumped from the
carriage. .-..
"This," pointing to aweather- 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, 'for my sister-in-law
expects us"
'sHow cool! how neat! how shady and
comfortablen' were my first eXclama-
tions as l followed my leader into the
old-fashioned parlor.
"Just So" she responded drily.
''And, my dear, you might search from
cellar to garnet 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 a fly"
Mrs. Stedman looked as her sister-in-
law had described her-''like very
sad and troubled ghost" She was
painfully thin and haggard, and at least
dozen times during our short call L
noticed her mournful eyes fill with
tears. s.y
well, Sarah" said the doctor, ''you
are as busy as ever, SUPPOSED"
80, yes" our hostess replied; ''there
is never any end to work"
been making butter to-dayp''
{" made a little over forty pounds
this morning.
Before breakfast, l suppose?"
The doctor tone was somewhat crisp.
:" / churned at four, and l have lust
soenfden when tnurnng doesn't como
washing-days; and, you see, cream has
got to be attended to whenever it is
ready"
g Been washing, tooP" my friend in
quired. ,...... ..
80, yes! Audit did seem as if 1 had
every garment in the tub that there was
in the house." ''t
so you've made forty pounds Of
butter" said the doctor, s. washed
and what elsep'
Mot much else beside the regular
work. | picked some beans for dinner
and made few pies; that's allr'
AT this point my friend, much to my
surprise, turned the conversation into
other channels, and soon after we took
our leave.
1t seems to me you have neglected
an opportunity" remarked, as soor
as we had driven away.
=" | supposed you'd think So" my
companion answered; "but you car
form no conception of the amount Of
breath have wasted on that very case
l am regarding it now solely from 6
scientific standpoint. / think can cal
culate the length of that woman's DAYS
within fraction of time.'
Il should think your brother wouldn't
allow his wife to work so" remarked
What does he know about it?" said
the doctor. "He comes into the house
Tor the three meals that are prepared
for him, and when night comes he goes
to bed and to sleep, or he drives over
to the village and spends his evenings
with his friends. My brother works
hard, but he works out of doors, and
that saves him. Sarah has an excellent
reputation as wife and housekeeper all
over the county. She has helped my
brother to lay up'-in Vermont YER
nacular-several thousand dollars. II
doesn't take prophet to see that
another wife will have the benefit OF
this ones toll; though it is probable, Il
she comes from this section of the coun.
try she'll not have sense enough to be
benefited by anything"
eff your sister-in-law would only
have servant" l suggested.
"a servant! Why, what greenhorr
you are!' said the doctor. do YOU
think my brother and his wife ar,
strong enough to bear the finger O
scorn that would inevitably be pointed
at them should they employ servant
1t is far better, my dear, to work one
self to death than to be called lazy ant
shiftless and extravaganza. If this wer
not tne case tney would not think the
could afford servant. My brother
dominated, soul and body, by the spiri
of economy, and his wife is a reflection
of himself. Here we are again. m
friend continued, coming to stop be
fore the door of more modern an
more pretentious house. "My young
est sister lives here. 1t seems singular
doesn't it, that have never introduce
you to my relatives beforeP The trut
is, you and L are only perplexities t
these good people. We turn them OF
of their beaten tracks for awhile, wit
no other result than to add to the
hard work and anxieties. len veal
ago my sister Anna was as healthy
girl as there was in Vermont, and til
brightest and wittiest one of the famil,
had some hopes that she would kee
out of the treadmill, and, if she di
marry farmer and settle down her
that she would furnish an example
common sense to her neighbors; b