Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-31
The NexntIons Of Lie.

| The Vacations Of Lifc.
Nellie Burns, of Lea, MIMI, writes
the following to the Country Gentle
man. 1t speaks to many households,
and its perusal is likely to do good:
Old age and sickness are not the
only things that wear out life and bring
gray hairs and wrinkles. Continuous
worrying and fretting are two Of the
surest causes Of premature crow s-feet.
Of sour temper. Of dependency Of
mind, and an early breaking down Of
those faculties which should give zest
and happiness to life.
Some people seem born to fret. tits
constitutional with them. They might
be placed in any grade of circumstances,
from hOvel to a palace, and still they
would grumble. But there are others
who are provoked into fretting from
causes that would almost justify them
in it.
had a forcible illustration Of this
while visiting an aunt last summer, who
lives in Vermont. 1t was my first visit
to her, and had been there but a short
time when | was forced to acknowledge
that Aunt Hannah was a grumbler /;
before | left, however, | thought her
complaints wholly excusable.
One morning she came into the sit
tipg-rOom limping and apparently in
much pain. " Why, Aunt Hannah,
what is the matter" asked.
II hurt my foot on the cellar-starS
Just now" she said. There's Two
steps there that's all give way. I've
mended 'em two or three times as best
| could, and I've told Jacob her hus-
band again and again that he ought
to put new steps there that
some one would get hurt. And
SO | have. As | put my foot down
both steps gave way at once. and if |
hadn't caught myself, | would have
fallen all the way down. But it's just
Jacobs way to keep putin off doin'
things. When | tell him about such
work that needs to be done, he'll say
Yes, Ill fix it some time But his
some time is awful slow a comm.
Now | suppose I've got to limp around
here for days, just on account Of them
steps bein' neglected.
One Saturday, Aunt Hannah's chief
baking-day, the cooking operations were
brought to a stand-still on account Of
the fuel. There had been a long wet
spell" and the wood, which was
already green, was completely water
soaked. Aunt Hannah had been urging
up her fire all the morning. She
had crammed in the wood ; had poked
and stirred; and had even poured in a
few drops ofkerosene. in order to hasten
matters, but it was TO no purpose-the
fire would not burn. At last, with a
flushed, worried face, she said : What
am to do: How agsrayatin' such a
thing is My pies and bread are ready
for the oven and I've no fire to bake
EN- with"
Aunt Hannah" | said, | have
noticed ever since have been here how
much trouble you have with your fire.
| have seen you burn nothing but green
wood. What is the matter: Doesn't
Uncle Jacob own much wood"
blessed stars ;" exclaimed Aunt
Hannah. Wood Why. do you see
that great hill over there: There's not
less than five hundred cords Of wood on
it and every stick Of it is his"
Why on earth do you burn such
wood as this, then - asked.
because he don't get any other.
I've talked and begged and scolded to
get him to keep dry wood on hand, but
his own father was just so about usln'
green wood, and he has got in the way
of il, and it seems impossible to get him
to do any other way. Sometimes he
will get little ahead, but most Of the
time he cuts it just as we use
it. Oh, if the time was put together
that | have spent fusSin' over poor
fires, it would take pretty good slice
out Of my twenty-five years of married
life. But the green wood amt the only
cause Of poor fires. The stove won't
draw on account Of the bad condition
Of the old chimney. Jacob has been
promisin' for years to tear down the
old thing and put up a new one, but |
don't suppose it will ever be done in
my day"
The house was built on knoll, and
in order to reach water at a shallow
depth the we'll had been dug
in a hollow at the foot Of the
incline. Consequently the water had
to be carried up hill, a distance of
several rods from the house. The wind
lass was one Of the heavy. old-fashioned
kind, with a most inconyenient arrange
ment for emptyiDg the well-pail. And.
as with most housewives, Aunt Hannah
had to bring in most Of the water con-
sumed in the house. Always after get
ting a pail of water she would come
tired and painting into the house.
One day, during the last of my visit,
Aunt Hannah spent in helping a sick
Aeighbor, while | was substituted as
housekeeper. Uncle Jacob was con-
fined to the house by severe attack Of
rheumatism. He and | had become
great friends during my visit, aud on
this occasion there was quite a CONT
Dental expression Of our sentiments.
Finally the subject turned on matri-
mony, its joys, its sorrows, and its dis
appointments and, to my great sur
prise, he lowered his voice and said :
Nellie, do you know I've bin terribly
diserpinted in my marriage life.
Hannah amt jest SIGH woman as |
calkerlated on gettin'."
"Why, what do you mean, Uncle
jacob" | asked. 81 am sure Aunt
Hannah is one Of the very best house
keepers and very saving in every
way"
"Oh, Hannah's all that" he said.
81 don't complain Of them things, but
it's her frettin'. She frets about one
thing and another, till get SO tired Of
hearin' her. It's awful wearin' on
mans feelin's to be always hearin' .
woman frettin' So"
Uncle Jacob could not have said any