Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-12-21

anu N'idOltu why MO NllS hdl op
changed.
~ am going with Squire Towne to
see new reaper; he says he hardly
wants to buy without my opinion"
This was next day.
John left his wife ironing, with the
half-sick baby sitting by the table in
the company of an army of flies; and
in spite of the home scene enjoyed his
ride along the pleasant, shaded road.
well-pleascd to be seen SO much with
the great man of the town. At sup
per time he came home with the new
reaper behind the wagon.
by taking two we made handsome
saving; and. as | intended to buy one,
| thought | might as well take it now,"
he remarked by way of explanation.
ut will save time and strength, and
pay for itself in nayear."
Mary made no comment, but set her
teeth tighter together when she remcm-
bcrcd that she had asked in vain for
something TO make her work easier a
scwing-machi. had been pronounced
"hurtful; better have fewer changes Of
clothing than run a machine" John
had decided when the subject was dis
Cussed; a "clotheS-wringcr would be
CONSTANT getting out Of order. To
bring the watcr into the house would be
just to spoil the water. Nothing, after
all, like the good old bucket Mother
would never have a pump in her day"
"My mother used to say all men are
selfish, and | begin to think she was
right" Mary muttercd as she went to
the kitchen for the plate Of hot biscuit
John was SO fond of for his tea.
Her husbands ; appetite was good, but
from fatigue and oyerheating herself
Mary could not eat. His ride and the
society Of the genial Squire had acted
like tonic. but there is no tonic in the
air Of hot kit hen.
"A commonplace life" she said. and
she sighed, as she cleared away the tea
dishes, while John tilted back in his
armchair on the cool, draughty porch
and talked over things with Ncighbor
Jones.
"Why don't you buy Widder Patch's
cranberry mcddert" asked Mr.. Jones;
its going dirt ,cheap, and you Jean
afford it." The sum was named.
figures that astonished Mary, and she
was more surprised when she heard
her husband say:
1--WE half a mind TO do it. I've just
had an old debt paid in, and, to tell the
truth, affairs in the money market are
50 squally. don't know just where to
salt it down"
No tears came to Mary's tired eyes.
but her heart went out in one mighty
sob as she stood, dish-pan in hand,
before the disordered table. and thought
how cheaply she had sold herself, really
for 81 week and her board. to the
man who had promised to love and
cherish her until death. The beautiful
piano she had brought to the farm was
never opened. but looked like a gloomy
casket wherein was buried all the
poetry of her life. The closed "best
parlor" had long since assumed the
grimness and mustiness Of country best
parlors. Of which in her girlhoOd she
had made much fun. John was a rich
man, and, in spite Of his marriage vows
and his glowing prayer-meeting talk,
was allowing burdens grievous TO be
borne to press on her slender shoulders,
in order to "salt down" his dollars.
Had she not duty TO perform9
Ought she TO allow him 20 preach and
never to practiceP Had she not rights
to be respected? which were not by her
husband; for, she reasoned, IL he
allowed her TO do what could be done
by an ignorant Irish woman for s2 a
week, then he rated her at that price.
"widder Patch has had a rough time
ont" said Neighbor Jones "she is
going to the Westw'rd TO Tom II she
sells the medder. and Jane Is going out
to work. She's tried sewing, but it
don't agree with her, and DIR. Snow
recommends housework as healthy
I business"
"'Tis healthy business" chimed in
John. "Now. my wife is good deal
better than when married her. Why,
she never did washing in her life
] = -