South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-12-01

up whttewasl, made herself sick chop-
ping up sausage meat, and strained
her back lifting kettle of pickles off
the fires still she strove resolu,ely on.
Il should like TO do just what Dor.
othy did, she said TO herself. Il don't
think Henry is quite pleased when
am so busy in the Kitchen of an eve
ming that cannot spare time TO come
in and hear him read the Waverly
novels aloud. Aud my feet ached SO
this morning after skimming the
cream, that | could not walk with
him to the haying ground. But am
doing my duty, and that ought to be
reward enough
That same afternoon, however.
poor Alice was forced 10 flee 10 her
room with sick headache, and seek
the refuge of her pillow. There Mrs.
John Bonney, cheerful little neigh.
Dor, found her.
Sick, are you?' asked Mrs. Bonney.
I'm not very well, acknowledged
Alice.
'Ah,' SAID Mrs. Bonney, Il tho't so =
Nv hat do you mean?' asked Alice.
why YOU have been killing your
self by inches, said Mrs. Bonney, 'as
fast as you could. I've seen it all
I'm not your next door ncighbor for
nothing
Il am trying TO do my duty plead
ed Alice, with filing eyes. Il am try.
.ingto be Ike my husbands first wife. ;
'Fiddlesticks = said Mrs. Bonney.
Like Dorothy Perry, indeed Why,
she was nothing on earth but a house
hold drudge, and finally drudged her.
self 10 death, withou; anybody being
particularly sorryl for her She ne
ber visited, she never read, she never
kept up with the progress of life's
march around her. Any machine
could have filled her place
Mrs Bonney, you ought not to talk
So said Mrs. Perry, uneasily.
It's the truth said Mrs. Bonney.
However, do as you please. It's II
privilege whichpeorlj generally claim,
have observed. XII Yourself if YOU
like. Perhaps the third Mrs. Perry
will be little more sensible
So Mrs. Bonney Mt the boquet of
teal rose buds, which she bad brought.
INTO water, and tripped laughingly
home, while Alice, clasping her hands
over her throbbing temples, tried to
ask herself which was right, herself or
! Mrs. Bonney, and in which direction
her path OF duty really and actually
lay.
And it was ut this critical moment
that she heard the nasal, nonotonous
voice of her mother in.law down
stairs talking TO her husband, and ut.
tering the sentence that opened our
sketch.
she amt the same sort as your
first wife, Henry said Mrs. Perry,
senior And she never will be, let
her try as she will She hasn't got
the faculty, You see
She lay there quite still and quiet,
with closed eyes. She never opened
them when Henry Perry himself tip
toed into the room, and, believing her
asleep, tiptocd out again, muttering to
/ himself:
Poor little Daisy, she is entirely
done mp
The next morning, however, Alice
arose and dressed herself with care.
Bless me- said Mrs. Perry. senior,
'where are you going. Alicc?'
TO the village answered Alice.
What for?' cross questioned the
mairon.
TO engage dgessmaker and seam
stress first said Mrs. Perry. Jr., and
to get strong girl 10 do the house
work
'A-girl : screamed thoold lady,
Dorothy Uever-'
No. said Alice, Il know she never
kept a servant But Dorothy clean.
ed aud churHed and scwed herself out
OF the world I've no intention of
settling my own career in that way
find that | can't do the work of this
farm myself without breaking down
my health ard shutting myself ont of
the world of books and science. | do
not think MY husband desires such q
sacrifice
'Of course / don't said Henry,
promptly. The house has beer as
lonely az convent since you turied
yourself in the Kitchen and dairy. I
married you for companion, not
drudge. Have half a dozen servants,
it you lise, Alice, only let Us have
books and music and pleasant wood
land walks again
Thank you. dearest said Alice. as
she kissed his forehead
Mrs Perry. senior, rolled up her
eyes aud ci4spcd her hands. aud de.
clared soto vOcc she didn't know
what this world was coming 10.
Mrs Bonuey was feeding chickens
at her own door when Alice returned
from her walk 10 the village.
Are you better?' asked this young
rcd republican, smiling cordially.