The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-11-29
&IROU ART THE MAN.

Its the last straw that breaks the
camel's back said Lucy, bursting into
Tears.
Mrs, Bellendon was young scarcely
three and twenty. She Lad been the
daughter of a retired army olicer, deli
cately reared and quite ignorant of all
the machinery Of domestic life until she
married Seth Belleudoo. C3ssE
Example is all powerful, and Lucy
began to believe that the whole end and
aim Of life was domestic thrift, money
saving, and the treadmll of work.
My dear said Seth, ''it you thought
you could get along without Hepsy, the
maid, 1 might be able TO afford that
new reaper before the oat crop comes
in."
"I'll try" said Lucy.
After that she arose before daybreak
and worked later into the night than
ever.
What is tho matter with your hands,
Lucli' Seth asked one day. They are
not so white ana beautiful as they used
to be-"
Lucy eolored as he glanced down at
the members in question.
II suppose it is from making fires
said she.
All the affectionate relations of Dr.
Belendon soon discovered that the farm
cooking was excellent, and that the bed
rooms were neatness itself.
Some of them were even good enough
t. invite their relations as well; and so
the house was foil from April to De-
| cembor.
Aud Que day, when poor Lucy, under
the blighting Influence of horrible sick
headache, WAS endeavoring to strain
three or four gallons of milk into the
shining pans, the news arrived that Uu-
Gle Paul was coming to the farm.
"Where is lie to sleep? The Belfords
have the front room. and your cousin
Susan occupies the back, and the foai
Miss Pat.ersous sleep in the two hall
chambers, and the hired men have the
garret room"
"Oh, you can fud some place fol
him, said her husband, lightly. "Ther,
Is that little room AT the erd Of the hall
where the spinulng-wheel is"
But it isn't furlished!' pleaded
Lucy.
You can easily sew a carpet together
out Of those old pieces from the BelIord,
room, and its no trouble to put up Il
MUSLIN curtain to the window aud lif
in a cot bed. There are plenty Of good
sweet hushs i'll the cnrn-house, aud you
can just tack mattress together, anG
whitewash the ceiling"
But this little bedroom was fitted up,
as fresh as a rose aid Uncle Paul arrived
a dried-uP, ye!low-compleAioned old
man, with an Oli-lashioued cravat tied
! ~ many lblho uiOuli ilS hNGhs anu y
suit Of navy blue, with brass buttons.
lie had the petite way of half century
ago, and Lucy thought she would like
him very much, if she only had time tC
got acquainted with him,
But she was churning ten pounds o.
butter day, and there was the baby
and the company, aud the young chick.
ems, aud the baking to do for the sewing
society, which was TO meet at her Lous,
that week. III
She was almost too busy to sleep.
But Uncle Paul was watching her al
the time.
He came ont one day to the barl
where his nephew was putting ney
handle on sickle-bhde.
+, Did I tell you, Nephew Seth, abou
the reason LETT your Cousin Eliabs?"
Not that 1 remember" said Seth
breathing on the blade and polishing
with his silk handkerchief. o.
Dorothy died his wife"
"Oh, yes said Seth. malaria
fever, wasn't it?"
Nor bluntly answered Uncle Paul
1T was hard work. That woman
NepheS Seth, did the housework 70
eight persons. Eliab didn't even let be
have woman to help her with the wash
5 ing and ironing"
Must have been regular-goipl
brute, said Seth, tightening the hRndl
e little.
D 'All the sewing, too..' added Uncl
Paul - "the mending aud making
5 Never went anywhere except to church
e She was fond of reading but she neYe
r got any time for it. She rose before sun
up and never lay down until IL O'Clock
e 1t was hard work that killed that VIC
/ man, aud Eliab declared that it wa
/ sheer laziness when she could not dra
t herself around any longer. And whe
t she died be rolled up his eyes aud calle
. it visitation of Proyidence!"
,. "Why didn't the ueigbbors lyme
e bim?" cried Seth, fairly aroused to il
dignation at last.
l. "Why don't the neighbors lynch you?
n said he. Thou art tue man. Are 70
P not doing the same thing?'
II al g. gasped Seth.
q "Your wife is doing the work Of
n household Of sixteen people" sal
n Uncle Paul. "she is drudging as 70