The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-11-19

NOW L m gong W SuVW yOo why
struck out for myself"
had been driving mile or two with
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.
II have warm place in my heart for
my native Vermont" she went on;
s'and knowing how I love it. i am sure
you have often wondered why l did not
remain hcre instead Of seeking home
and q profession for myself among
strangers.
I had often speculated on this very
subject but there was no time to con-
TESS il, for at that moment my COM
panion refined up suddenly. and with =
brisk Here We are!' jumped from the
carriage.
This" pointing to q weather. beaten
but still misunderstanding house, s'ie
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 N"
s.How cool! how neat! how shady and
comfor1abler' were my first exclama-
tions as followed my leader into the
old-fashioned parlor.
ssJust So" she responded dfily.
"And. my dear. you might search from
cellar to garret 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-slike a 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.WelI, Sarah, I" said the doctor, ..you
are as busy a. ever, / supposer'
20, yes" our hostess replied; ''there
Is never any end TO work.
Z. Been making butter to-dayg
/" made . little over forty pounds
this morning"
- Before breakfast, supposee" .
The doctor tono was somewhat crian
81 churned 1t four. and have Il
worked my butter over. 1 don't mln0
80 much when churning doesn't COLE
washingsdays; and, you see, creams ~
got to be attended TO whenever # Is
Been washing, toor' my friend in
= o. yesl And IL did seem as II had
every garment in the tub that there was
in the house"
:. So you've made forty pounds Of
butter" said the doctor, q washed
and what elsep"
:. Not much else beside the regular
work. / picked some beans for dinneu
and made . few pies; that's allF'8s
At this point my friend. much Il my
surprise, turned the conversation into
other channels. and soon after we took
our leave.
q It seems to me you have neglected
m opportunity" / remarked, - sQon
as we had driven away.
supposed you'd think so,'' my
companion answered; shut you can
form NO conception Of the amount Of
breath have wasted on that very case.
I am regarding It now solely from a
scientific standpoint. think can cal
culate the length Of that woman's days
within . fraction Of time
II should think your brother wouldn't
allow his vile to work 30, 1 remarked.
What does he know about itf" said
the doctor. q He comes into the house
for 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 bis evenings
with his friends. My brother works
hard. but he works out of doors, and
that saves him. Sarah has an excellent
reputation a. wife and housekeeper all
over the county. She has helped my
brother to lay up'-in Vermont YER
nacplar-several thousand dollars. II
doesn't take q prophet to see that
another wife will have the benefit Of
this ones toll; though it is probable, j
she comes from this section Of the coun-
try she'll not have sense enough TO be
benefited by anything"
If your sister-in-law would only
have . servant. I" 1 suggested.
IA servant Why, what . greenhorn
you aroy' said the doctor. s.Do you
think my brother and his wife are
strong enough to bear the finger Of
scorn that would inevitably be pointed
ct them should they employ . servant
Il b far better. my dear, to work one'i
self to death than to be called lazy and
shiftless and extravagant. II this were
not the case they would not think they
could afford servant. My brother L