Smyrna times., 1883-01-24

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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 muttered 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 overheating Mary
could not eat. His ride and the society
of the genial Squire had acted like a
tonic, but there is no tonic in the air of
a hot kitchen.
" 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 neighbor
Jones.
"Why don't you buy Widder Patch's
cranberry medder ?" asked Mr.. Jones
" It's going dirt cheap, and you can
afford it." The sum was named,
figures that astonished Mary. and she
was more surprised when she heard
her husband say:
"I've half mind to do it. I've just
had an old debt paid in, and, to tell the
truth, affairs in the money market are
so suually, don't know lust 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 50 week and her board, to
the man who had promised to love and
cherish her unto death. The beautiful
piano she had brought to the farm was
never opened, but looked like 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 O duty to perform
Ought she allow him to preach anG
never to practice? Had she not right!
to be respected? which were not by
her husband; for, she reasoned, if h
allowed her to do what could be done
by an ignorant Irish woman for 81 ;
week, then he rated her at that price
, "Widder Patch has had a rougl
time ont" said Neighbor Jones; " she
r is going to the Westw'rd to Tom if sh
= sells the medder, and Jane is going on
to work. She's tired sewing, but
s don't agree with her, and DIR. Snov
5 recommends housework as health,
! business"
2 "'Tis healthy business" chimed il
John. "Now, my wife is a good dea
better than when married her. Why
V she never did a washing in her if
e until she came to the farm. l thin
n washing and general housework
much better than piano-playing an
! reading"
$50 I say to the girls, who poster m
;, to buy an organ, Better play on tn
washboard, enough sight," was th
Q elegant response.
u "Are you going to buy the cranberr
y meadow, John ?" Mary asked as sh
lr saw her husband making preparation
a to go from home.
70 "Yes-why ?"
20 "Can you afford itP"
1--WE shall have to figure lit
er closer in order to do it; but it is goir
+ cheap"
"You will have to give up To
a Birch, won't you, and do the Choir
ID yourself?"
h. "I have thought of it; but Tom
r, poor, and to give him home is dee
e, of charity. No, we will save son
of other way"
IL "How much do you pay Tom ?"
"Three dollars and his board. An
to by the way, he says you didn't wa
he his clothes. Washing and mendil
1 was in the bargain"
he &c think Tom will have to 60, for
a have hired Jane Patch. She will
ng here tonight. Two dollars week
am to give her. You want to practi
of Bear We one another's burdens
he we'll as preach from the text, so I W
give you a chance. l will take L
a turn at sitting on the cool piazza aft
ou tea with neighbor, while you do t
chores. l think the time has come
,ut some of my burdens to be lifted.
lgs exchanging Tom for Jane, you W
ce, have one dollar week for the crs
so berry meadow. You say strong, acti
Tom is in need of q home; he C
make one for himself anywhere. 1t
to a deed of charity to give Jane hon
div and an act of mercy to give your W
n." q little rest"
Before John could recover from
the astonishment, Mary walked out of
in sight, and taking che children went
in the shut-up parlor, Throwing OF
his the windows to let in the soft Sunni
ad, air, with baby in her lap, she sat do
eat at her piano and began to play "st
me without words" q piece John I
the loved to hear when he used to. visit
in her home, where she was pet
nd. girl. The song crept out through
: TO open windows and around to John
BUY he sat on the porch, and memory co
pla- PEELED him to give the song wor
9Th Not musical poetry, but rather som
ola prose, wherein washing, ironing, b
her days at the churn, hours of cooking
re- hungry men, stood out before
ain minds eye in contrast to the fair prt