Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-05-11

thought L might as well take it now, he
remarked, by way of explanation. ut
will save time and strength, and pay for
itself in a year,
Mary made no comment, but set her
teeth tightly together when she remember
ed that she had asked in vain for some
thing to make her work easier Asewing
machine had been pronounced ''hurtful !;
better have fewer changes of clothing than
run machine - John had decided. when
the subject was discussed "a clothes
wringer would be constantly getting out
of order. 10 bring water into the house
would be just to spoil the water. Moth
ing. after all, like the good old bucket.
Mother would never have pump in her
dayl" -. - "a
my mother used to say all men are sell
fish, and begin to think she was right.
Mary muttered as she went to.the slitchen
for the plate of hot biscuit John was so
fond of for his tea.
Her husbands appetite was good, but
from. fatigue and overheating herself Mary
could not eat. His ride and the society of
the genial squire had acted like tonic,
but there is no tonic in the air of hot
kitchen
"A commonplace life." she said, and she
sighed. as she cleared away the tea dishes,
while John titled back in his arm chair on
the cool. draughty porch and talked over
things with neiahbor Jones.
why don't you buy Wilder Patch's
cranberry medder? asked Mr.. Jones;
lit is going dirt cheap, and you can afford
it," The sum was named, figures that
astonished Mary, and she was more sur
prsed when she heard her husband say:
Five half mind to do it. I've juss
had an old debt paid in. and to tell the
truth. sffairs in the money market are so
equally divided, don't know just where
to salt it down."
No tears came into Mary 8 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 So week
and her board. to the man who had prom
Used to love and cherish her until death
The beautiful piano she had brought to
the farm was never opened, but looked
like a gloomy casket in which was buried
the poetry of life. The closed "best
parlor" had long since assumed the grim-
ness and mustiness of country best par
lors, in which in her girlhood she had
made SO much fun. John was rich MAI,
and in spite of his marriage VOWS and his
glowing pray er-meeting talk was allowing
burdens. grievous to be borne, to press on
her shoulders, in order to 'ssalt down. hi 8
dollars.
Had she not a duty to perform ?
Ought she to allow him to preach and
never to practice 7 Had she not rights to
be re. pected ? which were not by her hus-
band; for, she reasoned, if he allowed her
to DO what could ne done ttyan4ipno4ant
servant woman for 81 week, then he rated
her at that price.
"Widder Patch has had a tough time
on IT," said neighbor Jones "she IS going
to the West'rd to Tom. if she sells the
medder, and Jane is going out to work.
''She's tried sewing, but it don't agree
agree with her, and DR.. Snow recommends
homework as healthy business
"'Tis healthy business, "cbimed in John.
Nov my wife is good deal better than
when married her. Why, she never did
a washing in her life until she came to the
farm. think washing and general ouse-
work is much better than piano playing
and reading"
$50 say to the the girls who poster me
to buy an organ better play on the wash
board, enough sight," was the elegant re-
Spouse.
"Are you going to buy the cranberry
meadow. John ?" Mary asked, as she
saw her husband making preparations to
60 from home.
"Yes-why ?''
"Can you afford it? ?"
1--WE shall have to figure a little closer
order to do it, but it is going cheap"
"You will have to give up Tom Birch
won't you, and do the chores yourself ?"
II have thought of it, but Tom is poor
and to give him q home is deed of char
ity. No, we will save some other way
"How much do you pay Tom ?''
"Three dollars and his hoard And, by
the way, he says you didn't wash hill
clothes. Washing and mending was in thu
BARGAIN
81 think Tom will have to 90, for have
hirad Jane Patch. She will be tere to
night. Two dollars week am to give Der
You want to practice Bear We one an
other burdens as we'll as preach from thu
text, so will give you a chance. will
take my turn in sitting on the cool plazzf
after tea with neighbor. while you de
the chores. 1 think the time tras cnnne for
some of my burdens 20 be lifted By ex
changing Tom for Jane you will have 81
week for the cranberry meadow, You So!
strong, active Tom is in need Of a home
he can make one for himself anywhere. 4
is deed of charity to give Jane home
and an act of mercy to give your wife
little rest"
Before John could recover from bis as
| tonishment Mary walked out of his sight
and taking the children. went to the shut
up parlor. Throwing open the Windows
to let in the soft summer air, with the
LADY in her lap, she sat down at her piano
and began to play "a song without words
piece John had we'd to hear when hi
used to visit her in her home, where sh'
was a petted girl. The song crept ou
through the open windows and around tt
John as he sat on the porch, and memor!
compelled him to give the song word. No
musical poetry. but rather sober prose
wherein washing. ironing, hard DAYS al