The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-11-16

refined up suddenly, and with or1sk
"Here we are u jumped from the car
riage.
"This," pointing to weather beaten
but still comfortable-looking house, "is
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 u.s."
"How cool how neat how shady
and comfortablep were my first ex-
clamations as followed my leader into
the old-fashioned parlor.
"Just So" she responded drily.
"And, my dear, you might search from
cellar to garret of this great house, and
though you stood upon ladders, and
peered with a microscope upon your
hands and knees, you would never be
able to find fly"
Mrs. Stedman looked as her sister-in-
law had described her" like 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 I'LL with tears.
Well, Sarah" said the doctor,
"you are as busy as ever, supposed"
"Oh, yes," our hostess replied;
"there is never any end to work"
"Been making butter to-dayT ~
81 made little over forty pounds this
morning."
"Before breakfast, supposep
The doctors tone was somewhat
crisp.
"I churned at four, and I have jusl
worked my butter over. 1 don't mind
so much when churning doesn't come
washing days; and, you see, cream has
got to be attended to whenever it is
ready"
"Been washing, too2" my friend in
quired.
ooh, yes And it did seem as if
had every garment in the tub that there
was in the house T.
$50 you've made forty pounds Of
butter" said the doctor, "washed-and
what else ?"
"Not much else beside the regular
work. l 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.
"It seems to me you have neglected
an opportunity" remarked, as soon
as we had driven away.
"I supposed you'd think So" my
companion answered; "but you can
form no conception of the amount oi
breath l have wasted on that very case
am regarding it now solely from 0
scientific standpoint. 1 think l calcu
late the length of that woman's days
within fraction of time"
"Ishould think your brother wouldn't
allow his wife to work So" remarked
"What does he know about ?" sale
the doctor. " He comes into the house
for the three meals that are prepared
for him, and when night comes he goeI
to bed and to sleep, or he driYes over t.
the village and spends his evenings will
his friends. My brother works hard
but he works out of doors, and that save
him. Sarah has an excellent reputation
as wife and housekeeper all over tn,
country. She has helped my brothe
lay up'-in Vermount vernacular-
several thousand dollars. 1t doesn'
take prophet to see that another wifi
will have the benefit of this ones toll
though it is probable, if she comes fron
this section of the country, she'll no
have sense enough to be benefited b.
anythingP'
"If your sister-in-law would onl
have servant" / suggested.
GA servant Why, what greenhorl
you are r. said the doctor. "Do yo'
think my brother and his wife ar
strong enough to bear the finger of scor
that would inevitably be pointed q
, them should they employ a servant
is far better, my dear, to work ones sci
to death than to be called lazy, an
shiftless and extravagant. If this wer
3 not the case they would not think the
could afford a servant. My brother
I dominated, soul and body, by the spiri
of economy, and his wife is reflection
of himself. Here we are again, m
friend continued, coming to a stop bt
fore the door of more modern an
more pretentious mansion. "Myyoune
est sister lives here. 1t seems singular
doesn't it, that have never introduce
ycu to my relatives beforeP The trut
8 is, you and are perplexities to thes
good people. we TURN 1nem OuO
v their beaten tracks for a while, with n
other result than to add to their har
o work and anxieties. Ten years ago m
sister Anna was as healthy a girl q
there was in Vermont, and the brightel
It and wittiest one of the family. ha
some hopes that she would keep out {
the treadmill, and, if she did marry
!. farmer and settle down here, that 81
would furnish an example of commo
sense to her neigobors; but she is jul
;, like tho rest, only worse perhaps"
All this as the doctor hitched h'
horse, and we walked up the Ion
graveled walk.
I Sister Anna was scolding one of h
children when We entered the nous