Litchfield enquirer., 1881-12-08
AHEAD OF TIME.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

AHEAD OF TIME. W
 BY ELEANOR KIRK.
 "Now Pm going to show you why struck out for myself. '"
 I had been driving mile or two with my cheery friend. Dr. Mary Stedman, and until that moment was unaware of any motive tor the ride other than the usual one of pleasure to us both.
 Il havea warm place in my heart for my native Vermont" " she went on; ''and, know ing how 1 love it, am sure you have often wondered why do not remain here instead of seeking home and profession for myself among strangers" H
 l had often speculated on this very subject, but there was no time to confess it, for at that moment my companion rained up suddenly. and with brisk ''Here we are!" jumped from the carriage.
 "This, pointing to weather beaten, but still comfortable looking house, ''is the home stead. Since the death of our parents my eldest brother has lived here. You needn't be at all disturbed, as naturally hesitate about intruding upon strangers, s'for my sister ex- poets us.
 -'How cool! how neat! how shady and comfortable!" were my first exclarhations as followed my leader into the old-fashioned parton.
 Just SC" she repeated dryly. :.And, my dear, you might search from cellar to garret 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 f1y,"
 Mrs. Stedman looked as her sister, -in-law had described her-''lke a very sad and troub- led ghost" She was painfully thin and hag- ,~I short call noticed her mournful eyes fill with tears.
 ''Well Sarah" said the doctor, ''you are as busy as ever suppose ?"
 Oh, yes," said our hostess ''there is never any end to work"
 Been making butter to-day?
 Il made little over forty pounds thls morning."
 Before breakfast, I suppose ?"
 . The doctors tone was somewhat crisp.
 T churned at four, and have just turned my butter over. don't mind SO much when chur ming doesn't come washing days and. you see, cream has got to be attended to when ever it is ready"
 ''Been washing, too ?" my friend inquired.
 ''Oh, yes And it did seem as if I had ev- cry garment ln the tub that there was in the house!"
 ''So you've made forty pounds of butter" said the doctor, "washed-and what else ?"
 Mot much else besides the regular work. 1 picked few beaHs for dinner and made few pies that's all.
 At this point my friend, much to my sur> prise, turned the conversation into other chan. nels, and soon after we took leave.
 ''Ii seems to me you have neglected an op- portunity,"I remarked, as soon as we had driven away.
 k.J 1, answered ''but you can form no conception of the amount of breath have wasted on that very case. l am regaading it now solely from a scientific standpoint. think can calculate the length of that woman's days within frao- tion of timc."
 II should think your brother wouldn't al- low his wife to work so," remarked.
 "What does he kl low about it ?" said the doctor ''He comes into the house for the three meals that are prepared for him, and when night comes he goes to bed to sleep, or be 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 country. She has helped my brother Hay up'-in Yer mont vernacular- thousand dollars. It doesn't take a prophet to see that another wife will have the benefit of this one's toll though it is probable if she comes from this section of the country she'll not have sense enough to benefited by anything!"
 ''lf your sister-in-ay would only have servant" suggested.
 "A servant Why what greenhorn you are ]" said the doctor. Do you think my brother and hls wife are strong enough to bear the finger of scorn that would inevitably be pointed at them should they employ ser Tt icf for hoffo fn self to death than to be called lazy and shift less and extravagant. If this were not the case they would not think they could afford a servant. 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, coming to stop before the door of more modern and more pretentious mansion. My youngest sister lives here. It seems singular, doesn't it, that have never introduced you to my relatives before? The truth is, you and are only perpexities to these good people We turn them out of their beaten tracks for while, with no other result than to add to their hard work and anx- ieties. Ten years ago my sister Anna was as healthy girl as there was in Vermont, and the brightest and wittiest one in the family. l had some hopes that she would keep out of the treadmill; and, if she did marry farmer and settle down here, that she would furnish an example of common sense to her neigh bors; 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
 II don't believe any one ever had such con. troy I ho iD oh zoA apologetically. ''They do worry me so some times that It seems to me 1 should enjoy my self in my grave,"
 ''Send couple of them to me, Annie, wherever you feel like parting with them." said the doctor.
 ''I would in minute if their father was willing" the lady replied. Il don't know how to bring up children, she added, land if did know how. havn't any time. To tell the truth, have such pain in my side all the time that am not fit for anything. I wish you'd give me some of that medicine, Mary, that you gave me last summer"
 .s.i suppose you work just as though you hadn't pain in your side," the doctor remark ed.
 ''Of course do, was the somewhat irrita- ble response, ''Who else is there to do it if I give it up.
 ''Where is your pain, Anna, and how long have you had it?"
 The doctors tones were even. and her man. ner SO calmly professional that had at the time no suspicion that any of it was assum- ed.
 ''It is under my left shoulder-blade, her sister replied, ''and havn't breathed long breath since last November. Sometimes it is worse than others, and I am conscious of it every minute.
 The doctor drew chair to her sister side, and took her hand in hers
 ''Dear me, Mary, my pulse is all right, said the invalid. doing her best to make light of the situation.