The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-03-25
AHEAD OF TINE.

| NOW III gong " SiiO" Sou WY
l struck out for myself"
had been drying mile or two
with my CHEEKY friend, DIR. Mary
Stedman, and until that moment
was unaware of any motive for the
ride than the usual one of pleasure
to us both.
II have warm place in my heart
for my native Vermont" she wenl
on; "And knowing how l love 1T,
am sure you have often wondered
why I did not remain here instead o.
seeking home and profession fol
myself among strangers"
. / had often speculated on this very
subject but there was no time to con
fess it. for at that moment my com.
Ranian refined IN suddenly. and
with brisk Here we are !" jumped
from the carriage.
"This." pointing to a weather.
beaten hut comfortable looking
house, is the homestead. Since the
death of our parents my eldest BROTH
| er has lived here. You needn't be
at all disturbed" as l naturally hes
itated about intruding among strang-
ers, "fOr my sister-in-law expects
u.s."
"How cool how neat how shady
and comfortable ?" were my first
exclamations as l followed my lead
er 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 micro
scope upon your hands and knees,
you would never be able to find a
fy."
Mrs. Stedman looked as her sister,
in-law had described her-''like a
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"
"Oh. yes" our hostess replied !;
"there is meyer any end to work"
"Been making butter to-day?"
II made little over forty pounds
this morning."
"Before breakfast, suppose ?"
The doctors tone was somewhat
crisp.
II churned at four. and I have
just worked my butter over. Idon't
mind it so much when churning
doesn't come washing days; and,
you see, cream has got to he attend
ed to whenever 1t is ready"
"Been washing, too?" my friend
inquired.
"Oh, yes! And it did seem as if I
had every garment in the tub that
there was in the house!"
$50 you've made forty pounds of
butter" said the doctor, washed
and what else?"
mot much else besides the regular
work. 1 picked some beans for din
ner. and made a 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.
ut seems to me you have neglect
ed an opportunity" I remarked, as
soon as we had driven away.
II supposed you'd think so," my
companion answered; shut you can
form no conception of the amount of
breath I have wasted on that very
case. / am regarding it now solely
from scientific standpoint. Think
I calculate the length of that wo.
mans days within a fraction of
time"
~ should think your brother
wouldn't allow his wife to work so."
remarked.
"What does he know about 1t ?''
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 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 sayes him.
Sarah has an excellent reputation as
wife and house-keeper all over the
country. She has helped my broth
er lay up'-in Vermont vernacular
several thousand dcllars. 1t doesn't
take prophet to see that another
wife will have the benefit of this
ones toll; though it is probable, II
she comes from this section of the
country, she will not have sense
enough to be benefited by anything %
"If your sIster.in. law would onIv