, 1882-06-02
The Tired Housekeeper.

luc lCu l1OuochccpcI.
Dear me how tired | am, and
how little | have to show for my days
work !" So said young Mrs. Bent
ley, at the close of warm summer
day, as she seated herself languidly
in a rocking-chair on her neighbor's
piazza.
Mrs. Sheldon smiled a quiet, sym
pathetic smile which was very sooth-
ing to Mrs Bentley's overtasked
nerves, as she said: "It seems to
me, my friend, that you have great
deal to show, not only for this day,
but for every days work" Mrs.
Bentley shook her head.
"Well, don't know was think
ing just now, as L put the children to
bed, how my time was all taken up
with little matters -trihes, but yet
they left me neither strength nor OPP
portunity for anything BETTER" she
said slowly, and her look grew more
Respondent as she spoke.
you are almost too tired tonight
to reason correctly, my dear" replied
Mrs Sheldon. Suppose we go over
your days duties and occupation,
however, and see if they are as insig-
nifcant as you may imagine. Now,
what was the first thing you had to
do this morning ?"
Mrs. Bentley considered a moment
and began:
"Why, my cook was sick-at least
she had a bad headache-and / hur-
ried down stairs to help her with the
breakfast. | made an omelette and
some rice cakes, because Mr.. Bentley
is so fond of them"
And were you not rewarded for
your trouble by your husbands APP
preciative praise ?" questioned her
listener. did he not say, as l have
heard him say often before, that you
were the best little wife in the world?"
"Yes, / believe he did say some.
thing of the kind" owned Mr.. Bent
ley, smiling in return, as she met
her friends eye "And of course, ]
don't mind doing such things, or in
deed anything to please him, for he
deserves it"
"Then your first care to-day was
for your husbands comfort, and in
giving him new proof of your de-
votion you were adding another link
to the chain which binds your hearts
Was not this worthy end ?" asked
Mrs. Sheldon.
"But - rice cakes and an ONE,
lette !" objected Mrs. Bentley. "They
seem $3.50"
$50 unheroic, I suppose you think
my DEAR" answered her companion
"But, after all, can we count any
thing small or insignificant if it adds
to the happiness of those we love y
"Well, you have made my days
beginning seem more important al
ready" said Mrs. Bentley. "HoN
will you interpret my next work,
wonder ?"
"What did you do next ?" asked
Mrs. Sheldon.
II washed and dressed my baby
and then I put the bedrooms in or,
der, besides busting and sweeping
the dining-room. Then 1 made q
pudding for dinner, huted my pillow,
shams, because Ellen's head was still
aching, and 1 knew she had enough
to do without them, mended all the
stockings, and spent half an hou1
splavinp tea, with Mamie, who was
not feeling well, either. The poor
child is so lonely, now that the Bur.
dons have gone, that she has to de
pend on me for a playmate"
"Then what p" asked Mrs. Shell
don, as her friend paused for some
moments. Mrs. Bentley laughed as
she said:
"Well, remembered just after din
ner that / had promised johnnie
some sugar cakes with currants in, o.
which he is very fond. So / wen
down to the kitchen again to make
them, and had just finished when h'
came in from school. He was 81
pleased that 1 could not regret thu
time / had spent, although it kept me
from going out. Next, and last, Gu
some aprons for a poor girl L was
trying to help, and gave her a sewing
, lesson beside. Then it was time t.
, dress for the afternoon, so / got thu
, children ready to meet their father
| and after tea l read them a story. Al
soon as they were in bed / came ovel
! here"
"Well, my dear, you have PROVED
the truth of what said before, tina