The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-09-07
WIFE OK DRUDGE.

<sTen o'clock and the lunch basket
not ready to take to the fieldl As usual"
srunted Farmer Brewster, as he threw
himself into the rocking chair in the
kitchen and famed his flushed face with
his straw hat. "a quarter of an hour
wasted, very likely, waiting here. Right
ia the midst of as fine hsy-day as one
would wish to see!' Now, my mother
used to have her lunch ready to the
minute whenever we came for it, and
don't see why"
His jeremiade was checked by the APP
pearance of his wife. who came out of
the pantry tugging along the great
lunch basket, almost too heavy for her
strength.
Farmer Brewster was young man in
spite of his grumbling. Only twenty
three, tall. straight, healthy. with blue
eyes, rosy cheeks. fair, curly hair and
handsome face when it was not darkened
aa now, by q scowl of discomfort.
An only son, he inherited large and
handsome farm, clear of mortgage and
debt, which supplied all the wants of his
household most literally and gave him a
nice little sum of money to deposit In
the bank each year.
There was no reason why he should be
. neen, and yet misery habits we're gradu-
lly.growing upon him far faster than he
: knew.
Nor was there need of grumbling over
the household arrangements, since the
wife of his choice was farmers daugh-
ter%w who knew we'll how to work, and who
had taken delight in setting her home in
q fa1ltless order whom first she came as
bride to the pleasant Brewster place.
The same order reigned still from gar
nat to cellar of the old square house;
bat Mrs. Brewster went through her
tasks mechanically now, or with nerv-
GUS haste and hurry that made them al
aaoet uncomfortable sometimes.
: The constant drop of water will wear
away q stone; and the constant fault
finding in which her husband saw fit to
indulge had nearly worn the patience,
the hope and the endurance out of the
young wife's heart.
The comfort and happiness of that
home hung upon thread, which frayed
more and more, hour by hour, under the
pain of unmerlted blame.
Yet George Brewster saw nothing OF
this until the morning of which write.
ssThere is the lunch and it is exactly
five minutes past ten," said Mrs. Brews-
ter, setting the basket down with some
emphasis at his feet. ST was delayed
that much with the butter. It. had to be
seen to before the sun got too high"
my mother always churned before
breakfast" observed George. rising
slowly to his feet.
His wife said nothing, but the color
rose hotly in her cheeks, till the lost
bloom Of her girlhood seemed to have
come back again, and she raised her
ewes to his with a look that startled him.
Very handsome they were-soft. dark
and velvety, With . world of love and
tenderness in their depths
Yet nov they met has own coldly and
sternly, with such an expression that he
exclaimed:
Good gracious. Lettyl You look rs
IL you hated mew
I'm afraid do" was the astounding
reply.
And with swift glance at the clock,
Lefty hurried down into the cellar with
knife and pan to make her prepare
tons for dinner for six hungry hay
makers.
..Afraid she hates me! Ny wife. She
Ehat was Lefty GroverT muttered ne to
ainself, in his bevildsrment. "Why,
What On earth She must be going
ec.zy OF something or other.
sTettyr' he called 1t the cellar door.
1T 10 ten minutes past ten" she an
zwered, from the depths Of the cellar.
III don't see about the dinner now. it
won't be on the table 1t twelve 10 the
minute, % your mother used 70 have il.
Z can't come"
ssWell, If this don't beat air. ssid he
60 the maltese and-white cat Who ~
csaded from the cellar and rubbed
sgainst his legs.
A shout from tho bayfield, reused him
20 the recollection Of the days business.
He went out and dispensed the treas
urcs Of his basket among the hungry
men, Who praised Letty's excellent cook
ing with every mouthful they swal-
Eoued.
asIt is enough 10 make IN old bachelor
He me ct down and CRY to est such
nnspbsrry nhoFtcakss - thai" sid Solo,
n0n Wyse, viping Tie crumbs a H.
80 from his lip6. before BE- drank
sssst cidsr iron ths jug. TEL yeu
vhnt il =. 0e0Fge, Jon drew . pfiss
whon ron vert oourtinG.
49, ~ Id. Ard heEe's her good
kanI1h. " ehfnsd = ano(heF novur, = -
d. 1855 yasusly: