The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-28

"Iv'e a mind to do it. I've just an
old debt paid ia, aud, 10 tell the
truth, affairs in the money market
are SO squally, | don't just know
where to salt it down"
No tears came to Mary's tired
ewes. but her heart went out IN one
mighty sob as she stood, dishpan in
hand. before the disnrdered table.
and thought how chesply she had
sold herself, really for So a Week and
her board, to the man who had prom
ised to love and cherish her until
death.
The beautiful piano she had
brought to the farm was open
ed, but looked like a gloomy casket
ia which was buried the poetry of
life. The closed best parlor had long
since assumed the grimness and mus
tiness of country best parlors, of
which in her girlhood she had made
so much fun.
John was a rich man, and in spite
of his marriage VOWS and his glow
ing prayer meeting talk. was allow
ing burdens grievous to be borne, to
press on her shoulders, in order to
salt down" his dollars.
Had she not the duty to perform?
Ought she allow him to preach and
never to practice? Had she not
rights to be respected ? which were
not by her husband; for, she reas-
oned, if he allowed her to do what
could be done by an ignorant Irish
woman for 50 a week, then he rated
her at that price.
"Widder Patch has had a tough
time ont" said neighbor Jones I;
"she is going to the West'rd to Tom.
if she sells the medder, and Jane is
going out to work. She's tried sew
ing, but it don't agree with her, and
DR.. Snow recommends housework as
healthy business"
"'Tis healthy business" chimed in
John. Now my wife is a 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 house
work is much better than piano play
ing and reading"
so say to the girls, who poster
me- to huy an organ. better play on
the washboard, enough sight" was
the elegant response.
Are YOU going to buy the cram
berry meadow, John ?" Mary asked,
AS she saw her husband making
preparations to go from home.
Yes -why?'
"Can you afford t?"
I'VE shall have to figure a little
closer in 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?p
IL have thought of it. but Tom is
poor, aud To give him "A home is Il
deed of charity. No, We will save
some other way"
How much do you pay Tom,
John p
Three dollars and his board.
And, by the way, he says you don't
wash his clothes. Washing and men
ding was in the bargain"
Il think Tom viii have to go, for
l have hired Jane Patch. She will
be here tonight. Two dollars a
week | am to give her. You want to
practice Bear We one another's bur-
dens' as well as preach from the
text, SO ! will give you q chance. |
viii take my turn IN 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 81 a
week for the cranberry meadow.
You say strong, active Tom is in
need of a home, he can make one for
himself anywhere. II is a deed of
charity to give Janea home, and an
act of mercy to give your wife a lit
tie rest"
Before John could ecover from
his astonishment, Mary walked out
of his sight, and taking the children
went to the shut up parlor. Throw
ing open the windows to let in the
soft summer air, with the baby in
her lap, she sat down at her piano
and began to play "a song without
words" a piece John had loved to
hear when he used to visit her in
her home, where she was a petted
girl.
The song crept out through the
open windows and around TO John
as he sat on the porch, and memory
compelled him to give the song
word. No musical poetry, but rath-
er sober prose, wherein washing,
ironing, hard DAYS at the churn.
hours of cooking for hungry men,
stood out before his minds eve in
contrast to the fair promises be had
made the pretty girl he had won for
his bride.
Jane Patch came that evening, and
at once took upon herself many of
Mrs. Clark's cares, and no one greet
ed her more cordially than the mas
ter of the house.
Nothing was ever said about her
coming, and Tom Birch did not go
away ; so Mary knew her husband
could well afford the expense.
She told me how she helped to
make one man thoughtful and un-
selfish, as we sa. on her cool piazz
one hot August night; and | Was
glad that one woman had grit enough
to demand her rights.
| III 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 indiffer-
ert 10 her health and comfort.
Some Negro Supersritions.