The Republican journal., 1881-11-17
Ahead of Time.
BY ELEANOR KIRK

my cneefy lrlenu, lr. Mary SteQlnan, ana
until that moment was unaware OF any
motive for the ride, other than the usual
one OF pleasure to us both.
81 have warm place in my heart fol
my native Vermont she went on "and,
knowing how | love it, | am sure you
have often wondered why | do not re-
main here instead Of seeking home and
a profession for myself among strangers
| had often speculated on this very
subject, but there was no time to confess
it, for at that moment my companion
reined up suddenly, and with brisk
"lIere we are" jumped from the carriage.
''This,' pointing to weather. beaten,
but still comfortable looking house, as
the homestead, Since the death of our
parents my eldest brother has lived here.
You needn't be at all disturbed" as |
naturally hestated about intrudng upon
strangers, "for my sister expects US
''How cool how neat how shady and
comfortable ~ were my first eAciamations
as | followed my leader into the old
fashioned parlor
"Just 50, she responded dryly. "And,
my dear, YOU might search from cellar to
garnet of this great house, and though
you stood upon ladders, and peered with
microscope upon your hands and knees,
you would never be able to find a fly
Mrs. Stedman looked as her sister-in-
law had described her-''Iike very sad
and troubled ghost" She was painfully
thin and haggard, and at least a dozen
times during our short call | noticed her
mournful eyes fill with tears.
"Well, Sarah,' said the doctor, you
are as busy as ever suppose Z"
'Oh, yes said our hostess: there is
never any end to work.
''Been making butter to-day p
II made a little over forty pounds this
morning.
"Before breakfast, | suppose ?'
The doctors tone was somewhat crisp.
II churned at four and | have Just
worked my butter over. | don't mind 50
much when churning doesn't come wash
ing 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 tab that there was
in the house, y
$50 you've made forty pounds OF but
ter" said the doctor, "Washed-and what
else p
Not much else beside the regular
work. picked some beans for dinner,
and made d few pics; 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.
''lt seems to me you have neglected an
opportunity" | remarked, as soon as we
mad driven away.
Il supposed you'd think so, my COM
panion answered "but you can form no
Of the amount of breath |
have wasted on that very case | am re-
garding it now solely from scientific
standpoint. think ! can calculate the
length of that woman's days within a
fraction OF time"
II should think your brother wouldn't
allow his wife to work So" remarked.
"What does he know about it e. said
the doctor. "Iie comes into the house
for the three meals that are prepared for
him, and when night comes he goes to
bed and to sleep, OF 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 'lay up'-in
Vermont vernacular 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 bene-
fitted by anythingw
''lf your sister in-l law would only have
a servant" suggested.
"a servant, Why what a greenhorn
you are" said the doctor. "Doyou think
my brother and his wife are strong enough
to bear the finger of scorn that would in
eyltably be pointed at them should they
employ servant? 1t is far better, my
dear, to work ones self to death than to
be called lazy and shiftless and eXtrava-
giant. If this were not the case they
would not think they could afford d ser
vant, My brother is dominated, soul
and body, by the spirit Of economy, and
his wife is a reflection of himself Here
we are again. my friend continued, com
ing to a stop before the door of a more
modern and more pretentious mansion.
"My Youngest sister lives here. Ii seems
singular, doesn't it, that ! have never in
troduced you to my relatives before
The truth is, you and | are only perpleX-
ities to these good people. We turn them
out OF their beaten tracks for a while,
with no other result than to add to their
hard work and anXieties. Ten years ago
my sister Anna was as healthy a girl as
there was in Vermont, and the brightest
and Wittiest one in the family. | had
some hopes that she would keep out Of
the treadmill and, if she did marry a
would furnish an example Of common
sense to her neighbors; but she is Just
like the rest, only worse, perhaps"
All this as the doctor hitched her horse,
and we walked up the long gravelled walk.
Sister Anna was scolding one of her
children when we entered the house, and
we were upon her before she had finished
her loud pitched harangue.
~ don't believe any one ever had
such contrary youngsters as have got"
she remarked, apologetically. "They do
worry me so sometimes that it seems to
me | should enjoy myself in my grave"
"Send couple of them to me, Annie,
whenever you feel like parting with
them," said the doctor.
~ would in minute if their father
was Wiling" the lady replied. II don't
know how to bring up children" she ad
ded, "and if did know how, | haven't
any time. To tell the truth, have such
a pain in my side all the time that I'm
not fit for anything. wish you'd give
me some Of the medicine, Mary, that you
gave me last summer"
81 suppose you work just as though you
hadn't a pain in your side," the doctor re-
marked.
"Of course | do" was the somewhat
irritable response. "Who else is there
to do it if give upg"
"Where is the pain, Anna, and how
long have you had it?"