The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-04-19

.What was your father thinking of I
that he didn't hire some MAJ to do 1t
for herP" asked Clara, biting her lips.
"People out this way do their own Fl
work. observed John Field. little
shortly. .sMoney doesn't grow on !.
every bush like blackberries, and the
women of Hazelfeld are taught to be
proud of their industry and thrift
Clara shrugged her shoulders and
tripped lightly over the dewy meadow
to where the pretty home OF her broth
er-in-law, William Field, nestled In
grove of ancient elms and sycamores.
eff this is life in the country" said
the bride to herself, II think I'll 60 !
back to teaching in the city,"
evils wife was summoned from the
dairy to receive her visitor She had
met Clara before and welcomed her
with a smile and cordial pressure OF
the hand.
IL thought, of course, you would have
been over to see me before now" said
Clara, reproachfully. -,
II did intend to come" said Mrs.
Will, apologetically, but l was up
last NIGHT darning the children's stock
ings until past midnight. -.
She had dropped into a chair. with
hand pressed to her side, a pale, wea-
ried, Notwithstanding creature, with
her abundant brown hair hhddled into
a net, large crash apron tied around
her waist, aud sleeves rolled up high
above the thin elbows that had once
been round and dimpled.
s.Alice," said Clara, " tell me what
YOU have done to-day, and what you
do other DAYS. Aunt Keziah is hold
ING YOU up as a model to me, and l
want to hear what it is that you have
actually accomplished.
Mrs. Will. smiled.
.sYes," she said, ''they tell me that
am a good worker. And l do get
along well, for my husband has laid up
a deal of money at interest, and we
haven't had a hired girl in the house
in two years. You see rise at four
o'clock every morning-one can accom-
plish so much before the sun really
gets hot. This morning l churned
twenty pounds of butter, strained and
skinned the milk, scalded the pans,
fed the little pigs, and the young tur-
KEYS and ducks and chickens, and got
the breakfast for Will, two hired men
and the children"
.Stop a minute" said Clara, who
had been listening with intent eyes o.
interest. $50 Will has hired men?"
.Yes,-he always keeps two in sum
mer and one in winter" explained
Alice.
Then think you ought to have I
woman to help you," argued tn
bride.
at would cost too much" said Alice
solemnly. "Well-let me see. wher
was Ii? Ah!-after breakfast | max
the beds and sweep all the principa
rooms, and get the children ready 10
school. Then on Mondays l wash
Tuesdays l iron; Wednesdays l bak
and clean; Thursdays l do up frui
pickles and tomatoes; Fridays clear
and SATURDAYS ] bake again and g
ready for Sunday. for Will. always il
vites friends to dine with him on SUI
DAYS, and il is the busiest day in tn
week. And besides all this, have
my own clothes and the chlldren's
INC mend and make; win. > shirts to CT
and make, stockings to knit, soft soa
to make, spring and fall cleaning to d
rag carpets to sew and weave, and
20, stop, stopr' cried Clara, liftir
-. her hands as if in terror. 81 don't wo
r 90 der. Alice
$, re- "You don't wonder at what?" sa
~ Mrs. Will. Field, in some surprise.
i ,e THAT Wills first wife died ut TIVE
~ ty-six, and that you, at thirty-six, a
' ',a following as rapidly in her footsteps
80 can be-" cried Clara. ''lf you we
U.s. made of iron and India rubber y
III couldn't accomplish all this drudge
a.. without being worn out. I'm goiI
.y directly home to abdicate my position
i ;.h reigning sovereign" :.
,.n And the spirited young wife, leavil
, up Mrs. Will. Tapped in amazement, NJ
ried away.
-, John Field was standing at the Q
,:u well, in his working costume, drink
'a from the bucket, as Clara tripped
'nu the path. He looked up with smi
We "Well, pet" said he, "where are y
es. goinga" ,.. nv .rnn. - said cla
Do with mischief sparkling in her de,
=. soft ewes. 1--WE been Investigate
ioS matters, and don't like the situation
/. "What situation?''
.ne THAT of maid-of- all-work, lauI
inc ress, cook, housekeepcr and lady,
h 3 rolled into one, at the salary OF
,me clothes and food"
inc ..But, my DEAR" said John, with
,var puzzled face, s'you are talking n
wi sense. Nobody expects all that OF
woman"
aud Don't they, thought said Cla
orld ssThere's where you are mistaken.
han is precisely what Wills present v