The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-08-20
"Asd bov did Il ct shsps-esa ia sseh


"Asd bov did I, ges thsss-asa 10 $50
good shApef"
4 He gps<d st IL 10 astosishmsst
II wss In good shape. Rov siser ROY
Of well sessoasd. neatly saved And spli
wood. piled 10 the rsi,srs. With heap o
piss and bsmlock ~ kindiiag lengths ii
one corner.
Il bad II put there, said Susas.
Some more questions be asksd. but
with little vsy she sometimes bad Of -
serting herself. she gave him 70 under
stand she had nothing more 70 tsll and b.
was ashamed to ask any one else.
The winter brought its usual found o
simple saye,ics 10 the oounsry nsighbor-
hood, in which John and his vile tool
their full share.
1T seems TO me. Susan" hs said on,
evening on their return from church 90
ciable. ron don't Hx up qaits eoongh
whsA you 60 ouk"
"DsDt 4 look picci"
"Yes. OF course. you do; bat that's |
dress you bad when We were married. and
that's nigh on two years go. ! haven
seen anything Of that silk | gave Jon lasi
fall"
Are you surei" she said. with smile,
which he could not understand.
"Yes. ! am. Tain't been made mp yet.
has in"
Yes, 1t is and you've seen IL worn.
John was puzzled, and felt sure he had
not, but Susan would give him ne further
satisfaction on the subject.
As spring approached she made few
suggestions as TO the Advisability Of wood
being cut to season in due time. But John.
prompt and diligent in preparation for
seed time and harvest. full OF the best in.
tentions regarding his wife's comfort, still
thought wood was one Of the things which
could be looked to ct any time. and Susan
gave over reminding him of it,
One day in september he came home to
dinner. and found cold lunch waiting
him. The house was clean and quiet and
cheerless; no wife there, buta written line
which ran:
Dear John:-I am going to spend the
day over at Mrs. Carter's. Will be home
in time TO get you late supper"
He was glad to have her go, for she had
q busy summer and needed little change.
But there was day out the next week.
and the next, aud the next, until he began
to wonder at the growing taste for CAD
ding about. In early, October he came
home to 8nd his wood yard, which had
still remained empty, occupied by half .
dozen or 30 cords Of first class wood, with
Sol Carter and his two boys busy at it,
and they worked until il was stored up as
before in the shed. And John felt cross
but asked no questions.
where's Mrs. Baker," asked small
Carter 10 John, rs be put up his bars one
evening.
Z "She's over 10 neishbor Grants. You
will find her there il you want her."
1T amt no matter. You can tell her
here's the SEWN she's to do for mother,
ind mother wants TO know il she can
,ome and wash for her tomorrow"
"The--old scratch she doesl" exclaimed
John, turning on the boy in blank amaze
ment, which rapidly grew into anger
MRS. Baker hired out to do washin and
,ewin'! what do You mean by comm to
ne with such message, you young ras-
,al?"
The astonished youngster dropped bis
'ewing and applied his knuckles to his
syes as John advanced toward him. then
ran with all his might Is tho bundle came
after him. And Susans lord
md master strobe in digniasd wrath down
he road to meet her.
"Susan. / don't understand this there's
been young chap talkin' about sewin'
Ind wsshin' for Mrs. Carter. What in oil
he creation does 1t mean. I'd like to
know?"
"It's all right" said Susan composedly,
what's the message2'
"Thunderationi You don't mean TO
,sv that you sew and wash for other folks,
10 your
Eyes, 1 do"
"And what for' Is there anything you
rant, Susan. that l don't give you2"
"Yes. there is. John. want wood. l
,sn't saw and chop, but can wash aud
ew, and do anything else q woman ought
o do, aud there's no blame to me for
work can do for work ! cant.
I'm never" Susan spoke very firmly,
without grain Of irritation, "goin to
,ut up with poor, badly cut, green wood
gain rs long - ! can turn ny woman's
york into mans work. I'd rather wash
or somebody every week, It's half The
omfort Of . vomsn's life. You've never
'ad to wait for your dinner with the wood
izzIing ia the stove. and the 6rs not burn.
ug since I've been providing the wood"
John vas dambiounded.
''And you've been working for Sol Car.
ers wife these two yearsl be said in in
ense disgust.
NO; my silk dress paid for last years
rood. / hated 10 let it &c, John, because
ou gave It TO me, bnt Tilds Carter took
Ancy to Il, II was she yon saw wearing
\" and Susan laugh he'd 1t his grunt Of dis
Atisfaciiou with the whole business.
"You 10 go letting me down In this way |
efore the Cartersio be erovled. And IL
frs. Johns eyes flashed littlo who can
lame her, - she answered:
III there's any letting down to do its
our doing, normine."