Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-23

had sold herself, really for 81 week and
her board, TO The man who had promised to
love and cherish her until death. The
beautiful piano she had brought TO the
farm was never opened, but looked like q
gloomy casket, wherein was buried all the
poetry of her life. The closed best par
lor" had long since assumed the grimness
and mustiness Of country best psrlors, Of
which in her girlhood she had made such
fun. John was rich man, and in spite Of
his marriage VOWS and his prayermeeting
talk, was allowing burdens grievous to be
borne to press on her slender shoulders, in
order TO "sslt down his dollars.
Had she not a duty to perform2 Ought
she allow him to preach and never to prac-
tice Had she not rights to be respected,
which were not by her husband For, she
reasoned, II he allowed her TO do what could
be done by any ignorant woman for 81 a
week, then he rated her at that price.
"Widder Patch has had rough time
ont" said Neighbor Jones "she is going
TO the westw'rd to Tom, If she sells the
medder, and Jane is going out TO work.
She's tried sewing, but it don't agree with
her, and DIR. Snow recommends housework
as healthy business"
otis healthy businessl" chimed in
John. snow, my wife Is good deal bet
ter than when | married her. Why, she
never did a washing in her life until she
came 10 the farm. | think washing and
general housework is much better than
piano playing and reading"
$50 say TO the girls, who poster me to
buy an organ, Better play on the wash
board, enough sight," was the elegant re-
sponse.
care you going to buy the cranberry
meadow, John 2" Mary asked, as she saw
her husband making preparations to go
from home.
Yes-why 2"
"Can you afford it ?"
awe shall have to fgger little closer in
order to do it; but 1t is going cheap"
"You will have to give up Tom Birch,
won't you, and do the chores yourself2"
al have thought of it, but Tom is poor,
and to give him good home is deed Of
charity. No, we will save some other way"
How much do you pay Tom ?"
"Three dollars and his board. And, by
the way he says you didn't wash his clothes.
Washing and mending was in the bargain"
81 think Tom will have to 60, for have
hired Jane Patch. She will be here tonight.
Two dollars a week am to give her. You
want to practice Bear ye another's bur.
dens' as well as preach from the text so
give you chance. will take my turn at
sitting on the cool piazza after tea with a
neighbor, while you do the chores. | think
the time has come for some of my burdens
to be lifted. By exchanging Tom for Jane,
you will have one dollar week for the
cranberry meadow. You say strong, active
Tom is in need of home, he can make one
for himself anywhere. 1t is a deed Of char
| 70 fxi Ian tNf
to give your wife little rest"
| Before John could recover from his aston
ishment, Mary walked out of his sight, and
taking the children went to the shut up par
lor. Throwing open the windows to let in
the soft summer air, with baby in her lap,
she sat down at her piano and began to
play song without words" a piece John
had loved to hear when he used to visit her
in her home, where she was petted girl.
The song crept out through the open win
dow, and around to John as he sat on the
porch, and memory compelled him to give
the song words. Not musical poetry, but
rather sombre prose, wherein washing, iron
ing, hard days at the churn, hours Of cook
ing for hungry men, stood out before his
minds eye in contrast to the fair promises
he had made the pretty girl he had won for
his bride.
Jane Patch came last evening, and at
once took upon herself many of Mrs. Clark's
cares, and no one greeted her more cordially
than the master Of the house. Nothing was
ever said about her coming and Tom Birch
did not go away; so Mary knew the hus.
band could well afford the expense.
She told me how she hoped TO make one
man thoughtful and unselfsh, as we sat on
her cool piazza one hot August night and
| was glad that one woman had grit enough
to demand her rights. If John Clark had
been poor, his wife would have borne her
burden in patience, but she had no right to
help make him selfish and Indifferent as to
her health ard comfort.-Boston Watchman.