Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-07-29
A BARREL OF SOFT SOAP

"Hain't you put that rack in the
cellar yet, to hang that er dried beef
on?' asked Mrs. Stutson.
"No, Judy, thought meDbe 'twOuld
rain in 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 cant if
it does; l 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 Il cloud in the
kitchen when there amt none outside"
"Wal, I've got something else to do
beside peeliin' at the weather; and if
you amt it's time that you had
Giles Stutson was a 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 a farm, located about two miles
from the village of Nj. 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, "it went in
one ear and out 'tother."
Wal, 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 ! 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; cant
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:
"WhoGver see sich men folks? They
think a 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, and
massy knows what, | don't. Yes, and
there's the donation party to the par
sonage tonight. Was ever a woman
80 put to it to know what to do fust?
never was, Wal, | sha'nt 60 to tho
party, that's one sure thing"
"Why, mother, of course you'll 60"
"Of course | sha'nt go! I've got
something else to do beside going sky
larking round nights. There will be
enough on 'em without me. Let them
60 that hain't got 50 much to do as |
have. Here. Martha, you 90 into the
shed, and behind the door git me some
nails, and out on the wood pile and
fetch me the hatchet, and Ill see what
l can do"
All things now ready, Mrs. Stutson,
with hatchet, nails and beef in hand,
started for the cellar, stopping on the
top stair to tell Martha to 'be sure and
wash the greens clean, and not be a.
gaping out the winder to Tom Ryder"
Thomas Ryder was the son of a
neighboring farmer, who had at sun
dry times shown Martha Ann some
attention at apple bees and candy
pulls, these incidents being sufficient
to impress the mother with the great
responsibility which devolyed upon
her to keep a watchful eye upon Mar
tina, lest Tom, whom she deemed un-
worthy the prize, should rob them of
their precious treasure
On reaching the cellar she found a
snitahla nlaca over the nnrk hurral