The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-10-30
MRS. WILKINS DUTY.
She Thought Belinda Would Like
a Change Of Meat.

She %always tried to do it," she
said, but like the kitchen work of poor
housekeepers it was never done up.
Tim insisted that there was more than
belonged to one family. "Aunt
'Lizabeth took in a good deal for other
folks" and once he slyly chaIked a
sign upon the front door: "Duty Done
here, " But then Tim had arrived at
that peculiar age when boy has no
rights and is needed to run errands.
and it is probable that duty-his aunt's
not his Own-interfered with his COM
fort even more than that of older peo-
pie.
In truth, Mrs Wilkins duty was not
convenient article to have about the
house. 1t was a bustling, aggressive
affair, always springing up unexpected
ly, like one of the dogs so unaccount-
ably petted in some households for
Their sole virtue of being always in the
way. Moving forward, one runs
against the creature and it growls;
moving backward, one steps upon it's
tail and it snarls. It lies upon the
back piazza to be carefully stepped over
in the daytime and disastrous1y Stun
bled over at night, and haunts the
front steps to bark at every visitor
coming in, and to howl after every
member OF the family going out.
Mrs. Wilkins kept no dog, but her
duty shifted an opportunity and
pouEced out of its hiding place when
there came a timid little knock at the
dining-room in the early morning, and
and Its answering revealed a small,
qmet-faced, brown-robed figure face
and dress both past the freshness OF
their youth-carrying a basket.
GOOD morning, Mrs. Wilkin.n
- Come IMP" questioned Mrs. Wilkin,
with only half an invitation in her voice.
line acceptance was only q half one
likewise.
The little brown woman stepped in,
certainly, and poised herself on the
outer edge of chair nearest the door.
81 called to see if you didn't want to
buy some knitted articles, or to engage
work OF that sort, ;" she began, in dep
recating voice.
well, l don't" interposed Mrs.
Wilkin, very positively. Il do all such
work myself"
Il didnt know. Many ladies haven t
time, and am glad to do it
IL suppose so, but l consider it my
duty to do all can myself and set other
folks the example, whether they follow
1t or not, said Mrs. Wilkin, with q
slight gesture, like emptying her hands
OF responsibility. ''If l was going to
give out work at all, it would be some
hard jobs that would be help to get
rid of, not the pick and choice, little.
easy things that l call rest and not
work; but then, amt so particular as
some, aud so l do all kinds myself
A faint flush crossed the visitors thin
face. She was not quite sure that she
had been called INDECENT and advised to
60 to work and earn an honest living:
the words only had an uncomfortable
sound; SO the lips kept their timid, oen-
tie smile, though they trembled u little.
she held first one hand, in its thin cot
ton glove, and then the other, to the
fire; moved uneasily, glanced down at
her feet with dim thought that if they
had always chosen the smoothest path
1t had been rough enough to wear out
her shoes much faster than she could
replace them. and then she arose TO 90.
" Wasn't you rather hard on her,
'LizabethP" asked Mr. Wilkin, with o
regretful glance towards the door as it
closed.
Mrs. Wilkin returned to her seat at
the breakfast table and surveyed him
over the coffee-pot
. Hard on herr only told her What
l do, and if that pricks her conscience
and ma kes her uncomfortable it's not
my fault But you needn't worry; she
Just said good morning as sweet as ever.
She's one of the weak kind that can +
say their souls their own. | wonder
what such fools are good for? THEY'LL
never make the world any better, that's
sure. They haven't courage enough to
help put down any evil, if it was right
under their noses; they'd only stand and
smile. The very sight of 'em provokes
me. ! consider it my duty to speak out
when | see things going so wrong"
But then everybody amt alike,
LIZ beth, " interposed Mr. Wilkin.
Needn't tell me thati it's plain
enough, snapped Mrs Wlkin. ssJust
look at this neighborhood- peaceable,
orderly place two years ago, and now
there's Q new mill started and all sorts
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