The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-05-19
"AnEAD or TIAE.Y
ny RLnANon KIRK.

Nov I'm going to show you why !
struck out for myself"
I had been driving mile or two with
my CHEEKY friend, DIR. Mary Stedman,
aud until that moment was unaware oi
any motive for the ride other than the
usual one Of pleasure to us both.
'I have q warm place In my heart for
my native Vermont" sho went on; land
knowing how love IL. am sure you
nave often wondered why did not re-
main here instead of seeking o home
and profession for myself among
strangers.
l had often specuiated on this very
subject, but there was no time 10 con-
fess II, for at that moment my companion
refined up suddenly, and with brisk
Here we arel" jumped from the car
riage.
''This," pointing TO weather. beaten
but still comfortable-looking house. "is
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 u.s."
"How COOL how neatl how shady and
comfortable" were my frat ordinations
IS l followed my leader into the old
fashioned parlor.
"Just so. she responded drily. 'tAnd
my dear. You might search from cellar
to garret of this great house. and though
you stood upon ladders. and peered with
o microscope on your hands and knees,
you would never be able TO find hy."
Mrs. Stedman looked a. her sister-in-
law had described her-''like o very sad
and troubled ghost" She was painfully
thin and haggard, and at least dozen
times during our short call / noticed her
mournfnl eyes fill with tears.
"Weli. Sarah, " said the doctor, you
are ~ busy as ever suppose?"
"0h. yes. our hostess replied; "thero
is never any end TO work"
"Been making butter to-day?"
II made little over forty pounds this
msrning.'
Before breakfast, I suppose7'
The doctors tone was somewhat crisp.
II churned at four, and I have just
worked my butter over. I dont mind
so much when churning doesn't oome
washing-da and, you see. cream has
got to be attended TO whenever il IN
ready"
Been washing too?" my friend in
quired.
"Oh, zeal And il did seem as IL had
every garment In the tub thai there was
in the house,
80 you've made forty pounds of but
ter" said the doctor, "washed-and
what else?'
mot much else beside else tho regu-
lar work. picked some beans for din
ner, and made . fow Piles: 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.
1T seems 10 me you have neglected
an opportunity" remarked, As soon as
We had driven away.
''I supposed you'd think so, my com
panion answered; but you can form NO
/ conception OF the amount Of breath have
wasted on that very case. an regard.
! ing it now solely from q scientific stand.
point. think can calculate the length
OF that woman's days within fraction OF
| time"
"I shouldnt think your brother
would allow his wife to work 50" re-
marked.
What does he know about it?" said
the doctor. "He comes into the house
for the three meals that are prepared ioI
him, and when night comes he goes "a
bed and to sleep. or be drives over 10 the
village ard spends the evenings with hi,
friends. Ny brother works hard. but be
works out Of doors and that saves him
Sarah has an excellent reputation n
wife and housekeeper all over the coun
try. She has helped my brother ''lIy
PIN Vermont VetRAculAr-seysral
thousand dollars. II doesn't take q
| prophet 10 see that another wife will
have the benefit of this one toll; though
it is probable that If she comes from
this section of the country, she'll moi
have sense enough - be benefited by
anythingF'
IF your sisier-in law would only have
q servant" / suggested.
"A servantr' said the doctor. "Dc
| you think my brother and his wife arr
strong enough 10 bear the fingar of scorr
that would inevitably be pointed at them
should they employ a servant? It In fal
better, my dear, 10 work ones self q
death than to be called lazy, and shift
less, and extravagant. II this were MOI
the case they would not think they could
afford o servant. Ny brother is domi.
mated, soul and body, by the spirit ol
economy, and his wife Is reflection o
himself. Here we are again, my friend
continued, coming to q stop before the
door of more modern and more pre-
tensions mansion. my youngest sister
lives here. 1t seems singular, doesnt
it, that have never introduced you tc
my relatives before? The truth is. you
and I are only perplexities TO these good
people. We turn them out Of their
beaten tracks for awhile, with no othel
result than TO add TO their hard work and
anxieties. Ten years ago my sistel
Anna was as healthy girl as there wal
in Yer mont, and the brightest and wit
tiest one OF the family. / had som,
hopes that she would keep out Of th.
tread mill, and, il she did marry o farm.
or and settle down here, she would fur
nish an example of common sense to hel
neighbors; but she is iust like the rest
only worse, perhaps"
ALI this as the doctor hitched he
horse, and We walked up the long grave
walk.
children when he entered the house, an6
we were upon her before she had fnishet
her loud-pitched harangue.
81 don't believe any one ever had sucl
contrary youngsters as have gotp she
remarked apologetically. 'They dt
worry me so sometimes that il seein
TO me that l should enjoy myself in th'
grave"
"Send couple of them to me, Anna
whenever your feel like parting will