Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-05-11
A DOMESTIC MISTAKE.


Van winker kept n country store, and his
clover wifo, Joannettc,
Tended the children and tho house, and saw
that both ends met;
A happy couple; yet one night, when Van had
He went unto his pleasant honeywell, Just
And, as it happened, on that day, from morn
NOTHING In ali her household work had gone
with Jeanette right;
She said she was $50 tired and Van, in his
Said he' 'wonld like 10 do her work and rest him
scf dny.
She answered, as woman would; for contra
pdiction, he
Declared he did in every day as much ms she
In three
And SO they argued till they both agreed upon
this test:
Jeanette should tend the store noxtday, Van
dohcrwork and rest.
She took his orders for the store, then said:
Youll light the fire, and while It burns you'd
better milk the COW;
Then mako tho boys their breakfast next,
dress Freddy when he wakes,
And boil the coffee, brown the hash and fry
dish of cakes
"And after breakfast, If the morning should
be clear and fine.
The washing that did to-day hang up upon
You'd better let the starch alone-you'd make
mess, no doubt
But don't forget to feed the fowls, and sec the
cow turned out.
"Then wash the dishes, mako the beds and
take upstairs the broom.
For always Mt this timc OF year both sweep
and air each room.
You'd better next go down to Jakc's and buy
-, the dinners steak;
The stock Is ready for the SOUP the pies you'll
have TO make.
"At twelve the dinner must be laid, or else the
boys complain;
You know they must be back Mt school by one
,r O'Clock again;
Then build the fire up well and clear, so that
tile irons heat,
whileyou wash up the dinner things and make
the house-place sweet.
"Thcn you may iron until five, but when the
boys come homo
You'd better send them for the COW, she is so
And then you'll sivc the children each bowl
of milk and bread.
And little Freddy must be bathed and put into
his bed.
.Besides, there's many little thing you'n
have to see done right;
And Fred must not q moment be out of your
call or sight;
And If neighbor should drop in TO borrow or
TO call,
You need not growl it's business, Van, to be
polite to all.
For shall want a bit OF steak and n good cup
of ten;
Then HE away and lay tho fire, and see the
doors secure,
And when it's ten o'clock, Van wihker, you'll
be.'rc ted sure
Jeannette went TO tho store next day, pre-
pared to do her part
And yet her children and her house lay heavy
on her heart;
But she was bright, and kept the store with
business all alive,
And sold more dry goods In that day than Van
had done In five.
The clerk beneath her watchful eye put on
civil way,
She heard the news and saw her friends, and
had pleasant day;
But yet, mid all, she thought of homo with
And there, poor Van by ten o'clock sat smok-
ing In disgust.
He got the clothes upon the line, and then the
line gave way:
He put them back into the tubs; then Fred had
He found the boy, then smoked pipe and
called himself "a fool;"
The fire went out before he knew the boys
were home from school.
They got what dinner they could find; Van
stood 1t until four;
Then, in most repcntant mood, he went
down to tho store;
"Pm better n0ir, Jeanette" he said, and with a
happy face
The wife went to the wretched home, and got
all things in place.
When Van went home Mt nino O'Clock the
house was still and clean,
And wise Jeanette ignored the day as though
II tha1 not been;
But ever after, II IL man said but one thought
less word
About his busy wife at home, Van winker
gravely heard
And answered thus: "My stupid friend, I've
just one thing to say