The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-05-22
HE KEPT HOUSE.
Mr.. Howard Discovers How His
Wife Employs Herself.

Wife Employs Herself
Mr.. Howard was, by no means, a
wealthy man, but he was in comfort
able circumstances and lived in a neat
two-story brick house which was taste
fully furnished. His wife was econom-
ical and did all the Homework herself,
thereby saving the expense of a
servant.
II 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 at the breakfast table. II could
do every thing there is to be done in
one hour"
las for cleaning up the house, I
could do it in an hour" answered his
wife, "but there are the children to
take care Of"
That's no c Let the children
take care of themselves" said Mr..
Howard, as he buttered a 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 ut the table with him in her
lap.
"Now, what is the use of your spoil
ing that child in such a way?" said Mr..
Howard. ut would not have hurt him
to cry a little"
1.-The baby is hungry" explained
Mrs. Howard. ''He has not nursed
since three o'clock this morning, and
it is now seven"
ut will do him good to get hun
gry,' responded Mr.. Howard, shortly.
Now, we won't say that Mr.. Howard
was a bad man, or a tyrant, for he was
just as kind-hearted and indulgent with
his family as any father could be-; but
he was a 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-
cldedly, 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 I have
to do this morning." said Mr.. Howard,
with pride.
Just try me once!" said his wife.
Every WE'LL" was the answer; II
will make out a list of work that I 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: .r.".
'FirSt, 60 to Mr.. C.'s carrenter-shop
and have him repair the house on A
street; the windows and doors are to be
mended and a new picket fence put up,
Go with the man there and show him
what to do. Second, 60 to my Office
and remain there one hour, receiving
and paying bills; third, 60 to Rs and
see If he has attended to that work on
- street; collect Stanley's rent, and
issue a notice for Gibbs to vacate. l
believe that is all"
Very well, now l 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. 1.-THE first thing you
must do" commenced Mrs. Howard,
sis 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 Of the children that they
don't kill themselves or each other.
"Then 60 upstairs, take Robert and
Guy with You, make the beds, sweep
the rooms, dust the furniture, wipe up
the hearth, and also wipe off the man
tel. empty the s~lop-bucket and clean
the wash-bowl and pitcher. After this
is done, wash and dress the baby and
put him to sleep. Wash Robert and
Guy, and let them 60 outdoors to
play. Then wash out q few things for
the baby, put dinner on. aud while it
is cooking iron those few thing for the
baby"
Mrs. Howard arose from the table,
went upstairs and dressed for the
street. After she had gone Mr.. Howard
smiled to think how soon he was going
to get through with his wife's work.
He managed to get the 'children's beds
out to air, profiting by the instructions
Of Ada, the eldest child. Then he be-
gan on the dishes, forgetting to put on
Mrs. Howard's apron, which she had
laid out for him to wear. Such another
racket among dishes and splashing
water, regardless Of trousers and stir
shirt b0s6ms, waS never heard.