Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-04-07
castle tone; show thoughtful you are for

"ohueEsu why MS WIG nau SO cuangsu.
81 an going with Squire Town to see a
pew reaper; he says he hardly wants TO
buy without my opinion" This was the
next day.
John left his wife ironing. with the
half-sick baby sitting at the table in the
company Of an army of flies. and, in spite
of the home-scene, enjoyed his ride along
the pleasant shaded road, well pleased 10
bs seen in company with such big man
of the town. At supper time he came
home with the new reaper behind the
wagon.
"By taking two We made handsome
saving, and as | intended 10 buy enc l
thought might as well take it now" he
remarked, by way of explanation. 1T
will save time and strength, and pay for
itself in year"
Mary made no comment, but ser her
teeth tightly together when she -emeni-
bered that she had asked in vain for some
thing to make her work easier. A sew
ing-machine had been pronounced "hurt-
full; better have fewer change; of clothing
than run q machine" John had decided
when the subject WAS discussed; aud "a
clothes-wringer would be constantly get
ting out Of order. To bring the water
into the house would be just to spoil the
water. Mother would never have pump
in her day"
"My mother used to say all men are sell
fish; and l begin to think she was right,
Mary muttered, as she went TO the kitchen
for the plate of hot biscdit John WAS 30
fond Of for his tea.
Her husbands appetite was good; but
from fatigue and Cverheating herself
Mary could not eat His ride and the So
ciety 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 tilted back in his arm
chair OH the cool, drafty porch, and talked
over things with neighbor Jones.
"Why don't you buy Widder Patch's
cranberry medder'" asked Mr.. Jones;
cit is going dirt cheap, and you can afford
it." The sum was named, figures that
astonished Mary, and she was moro sur
prised when she heard her husband say A:
81 have half mind to buy il. "l've
had all old hill paid in, and, TO tell the
truth, affairs in the money market are so
soually don't know just 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 fer her board
and two dollars week, to q man who had
promised TO love and cherish her until
death. The beautiful piano that she had
brought to the farm was never opened,
but looked like ! gloomy casket wherein
was buried all the poetry Of her life. Tho
"closed parlor" had long since assumed
the grimness and mustiness of country
best parlors, of which in her girlhood days
she had made such fun. John was rich
man; and in spite of his marriage VOWS
and his glowing prayer-meeting talk, was
allowing burdens grieyous to be borne to
press OH her slender shoulders in order TO
"salt down" his dollars.
Had she not duty to perform Ought
she to allow him to preach and never 10
practice? Had she not rights to be re-
spected? which were not by her husband :;
for, she reasoned, If he allowed her to do
what could be done by a hired woman at
two dollars week, then he rated her at
that price.
"Widder Patch has had tough time
ont" said neighbor Jones; "she is going
westward to Tom, II she sells the medder,
and Jane is going out to work. She tried
sewing, but it don't agree with her. DR..
Stone recommends housework, as it's
healthy business"
"Tis healthy business" ebimed in
John. "Now my wife is good deal bet
ter than when | married her. Why, she
never did washing in her life until sho
came to the farm. think washing and
general hou,ework much better than
piano-plsying and reading"
$50 say 10 the girls who poster me to
to buy an organ; better play on the wash
board enough sight," was the elegant
response.
care you going to buy that cranberry
meadow, Jobn?" Mary asked. as she saw
her husband making preparations TO 80
from home.
"Yes-vhy?"
"Can you afford it?"
"we shall have to figure little closer
in order to do it, but it's going cheap"
You will have to give up Tom Birch,
won't you, and do the chores your'elf!"
81 have thought Of it; but Tom is poor
and TO give him home is a deed OF char
ity. Now, we will save in some other
way"
"Hor much do you pay Tom?"
"Three dollars and his board. And, by
the way, he says you didn't wash his
clothes. wasbins and mending was In
tie bargain"
'I think Tom will have 10 go, for have
hired Jane Patch. She will be here to-
night. Two dollars week sm 10 give
her. You want to practice Bear ye one
another's burdens, 'as well as preach from
the tex; 90 will give you chance.
will sit on the cool piazza after tea with
neighbor while yon do the chores. think
the time has come for my burdens to be