Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-06-10
HE KEPT HOUSE.
Mr.. Howard Discovers How His
Wife Employs Herself.


wealthy man. but he was in comfort
able circum stances and lived in neat
two-story brick house which was taste
fully furnished His wife was econom-
ical and did all the housework herself.
thereby saving the expense Of II
servant.
III don't see what you have to do in
this house that keeps YOU busy all day,
said Mr.. Howard to his wife one morn
ing ut the breakfast table. 81 could
do every thing there is to be done in
one hour"
"As for cleaning up the house, l
could do it in an hour" answered his
wife. 'but there are the children to
take care of. "
That's no excuse. Let the children
take care of themselves" said MIR.
Howard. rs he buttered roll.
Just then the baby, who was up
stairs in his crib, commenced crying.
Mrs. Howard went upstairs and
brought him down to the dining-room,
and sat at the table with him in her
lap.
"Now. wha, is the use OF your spoil
inc that child in such u way?" said Mr..
Howard. ''lt would not have hurt him
To cry little"
The baby is hungry" explained
Mrs. Howard. ale has not nurSed
since three o'clock this morning, and
il j. now seven"
''It will do him good to get hun
gry." responded Mr.. Howard, shortly
Now. we won't say that Mr.. Howard
was Il bad man. or n tyrant, for he was
Just rs kind-heartcd and indulgcnt with
his family as any father could be-; but
he was little conceited. and liked
to rule. liked to have every thing his
way.
That's the way YOU fool away your
time all day." said Mr.. Howard. de-
cidcdly, nursing the baby and perhaps
reading foolish love stories
AT this Mrs. Howard was ready to
cry. but restraining her tears. said:
Suppose you try my work this morn
ing. and let me try yours"
"You couldn't stand the work have
TO do this morning." said Mr.. Howard,
with pride.
Just try me oncew said his wife.
"Very WELL" was the answer; "l
will make out list of work that | have
TO do from eight to twelve o'clock"
Mrs. Howard got her notebook and
Mr.. Howard gave her the following.
which she noted down:
First. go to Mr.. C.'s carpenter-shop
and have him repair the house on A
street; the windows and doors are TO be
mendcd and new picket fence put up.
60 with the man there and show him
what to do. Second. go to my office
and remain there one hour, receiving
and paying bills; third. 90 to X. s and
see IL he has attended to that work on
- street; collect Stanley's rent, and
issue a notice for Gibbs to vacate. i
believe that is ALL"
VERY well, now will give you a
list" Mrs. Howard smiled as she
thought how her husband would attend
to her five children, let alone the
housework. The oldest OF these five
children was six years, and the young
est two months. The first thing you
must do" commenced Mrs. Howard,
els to hang the children's beds out to
sun; then wash the dishes, sweep the
dining-room, set the table for dinner
and darken the dining-room. Next.
clean up the kitchen and sweep the
porch and bricks; in the meantime
keep an eye on the children that they
don't kill themselves or each other.
"Then go upstairs, take Robert and
Guy with you, make the beds. sweep
the rooms, dust the furniture. wipe up
the hearth. and also wipe of the man.
tel, empty the slop-bucket and clean
the wash-bowl and pitcher. After this
Ia done. wash and dress the baby and
put him to seep. Wash Robert and
Guy, and let them 60 outdoors to
play. Then wash out few things for
the baby. put dinner on. and while 1t
Is cooking iron those few thing for the
baby"
Mrs. Howard arose from the table,
went upstairs and dressed for edo
street After she had gone Mr.. Howard
smiled TO think how soon he was go'ag
% get through with Bis wits's wofs.