The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-07-30
A BARREL OF SOFT SOAP

"Hain't you put that rack in the
cellar yet, to hang that er dried beef
on2" asked Mrs Stutson.
"No, Judy, thought mebbe 'twould
rain in a day or two, and then Jabe
could be spared to help little about
the house, for must get my work
ketched up while we have good
weather"
"Yes, there's allus something ye
can't do if it don't rain, and ye can't if
it does; | declare for it; I'd like to
know what on arth would become on
us all if 'twant for me to look after
things"
"Come, come, mother, don't fret any
more; we don't want a cloud in the
kitchen when there amt none outside"
oval, I've got something else to do
beside peekin' at the weather; and if
you amt it's time that you had"
Giles Stutson was farmer-a man
of good habits, honest in his dealings
with his fellow men-who in his youth
had married Judith Mcintosh. "a
smarter girl never trod shoe leather -
So said the elder Stutson on the morn
ing of their marriage
They had by the closest economy
acquired a small fortune, in the shape
of farm, located about two miles
from the village of M. Only one
child had been given them to brighten
their home, and this was daughter,
who at the time of our story had
reached the age of 20 years.
Mrs. Stutson, as you will observe by
this conversation, was one of that
peculiar type of women whose very
life seemed to depend upon scolding
and working. all at the same instant;
and the more she fretted and scolded,
the more work she accomplished.
The whole family had become SO
accustomed to this that its effect was,
as Mr.. StutsOn once said, sit went in
one ear and out 'tother.'
oval, Giles, there's jest this much
about it; if that ar rack amt up by
ten o'clock, I'll git some nails and
drive up, to hang that beef on myself.
I've got to clean the cheese room to-
day. and l want that pile Of beef out
Of my way"
So saying she went into the milk
room, to strain the mornings milk.
"lt's no use arguing said Mr..
Stutson to Jabe, the hired man.
"When Judy gets sot on anything
she'll have her way, and if she says
she'll do thing, she'll do it every
time. guess that cheese-roOm won't
spile if 'taint cleaned to-day, and the
beef is well enough where it is; can't
bother with it to-day, anyhow"
Having thus expressed his opinion,
he followed Jabe to the field, leaving
Martha Ann to clear away the break.
fast.
Having cared for the milk, Mrs
Stutson appeared and exclaimed, part
ly to herself and partly to Martha:
"Whoever see sich men folks? They
think woman can git along any way,
no matter how. Here is billed dinner
to git, them starch clothes to iron, pies
to make, cheese-room to clean, ant
massy knows what, don't. Yes, ant
there's the donation party to the par
sonage tonight. Was ever woman
so put to it to know what to do fust
never was, Wal, sha'nt go to thu
party, that's one sure thing"
"Why, mother, of course you'll 60
"Of course | sha'nt go! I've go
something else to do beside going sky
larking round nights. There will b'
enough on 'em without me. Let then
90 that hain't got so much to do as
have. Here, Martha, you 60 into tn,
shed, and behind the door git me som,
nails, and out on the wood pile anC
fetch me the hatchet, and I'll see wha
l can do"
All things now ready, Mrs. Stutson
with hatchet, nails and beef in hand
started for the cellar, stopping on tn
top stair to tell Martha to "be sure an,
wash the greens clean, and not be a
gaping out the winder to Tom Ryder.
Thomas Ryder was the son of
neighboring farmer, who had at sun
dry times shown Martha Ann som
attention at apple bees and cand
pulls, these incidents being suilicien
to impress the mother with the grea
responsibility which devolyed upo
her to keep a watchful eye upon Maj
tina, lest Tom, whom she deemed un
worthy the prize, should rob them G
their precious treasure.
On reaching the cellar she found
suitable place over the pork barre
where to her mind the beef would /