Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-10-19
John left his wife ironing. with the
n II sick hahv att mo- at tho I'm hlo I'm

John left his wife ironing. with the
half sick baby slit ing ut the table, In
the company of an army of flies, and.
in spite OF the home-scene enjoyed his
ride along the pleasant, shaded road,
well-pleased to be seen in company
with such big man OF the town. At
supper me. he came home with the
new reaper behind tho wagon.
"By taking two, we made hand
some saving. and as intended to buy
one. thought might as we'll take 1t
now." he remarked by the way of ex-
PLANTATION. ''It will save time and
strength. and pay for itself in year.
Mary made no comment. but set her
teeth tightly together when she re-
membered that she had asked In vain
for something to make her work cas- er.
A sewing ma chine had been pro-
nounced 'hurtful; better have fewer
changes of clothing than run ma
chine" john had dec ded when the
subject was discussed; "a clothes
wringer would be constantly getting
out of order. 10 bring the water into
the house would be just to spoil the
water. Mother would never have
pump in her day."
MY mother used to say all men are
selfish; and l begin to think she was
right" Mary muttereL as she went to
the kitchen for the plate of hot biscuit
John was so fond of for his tea.
Her husbands appetite was good;
but from fatigue and overheating her.
self Mary could not eat. His ride and
the society of the genial squire had
acted like tonic; but there is no tonic
in the air of hot kitchen.
"A commonplace life," she said; and
she sighed, ms she cleared away the
tea-dishes, while John tilted back in
his arm. chair on the cool. drafty porch
and talking over things with neighbor
Jones.
why don't you buy Widder Patch
Gran berry medderp" asked Mr.. Jones;
lit is going dirt cheap, and you can
afford 1t. ;" The sum was named, fig-
urcs that astonished Mary. and she
WAS more surprised when she heard
her husband sa,:
II have half mind to buy it. I've
had an old bill paid in. and to tell the
truth, affairs in the money market are
SO squally don't know just where to
salt it down.
No tears came to Mary's tired eyes.
but her heart went out in one mighty
sob rs she stood. dsh-pan in hand.
before the disordered table. aud
thought how cheaply she had sold her.
self. really for her board and two
dollars week. to man who had
promised to love and cherish her until
death. The beautiful piano she had
brought to the farm was never opened.
but looked like a gloomy casket where
in was buried all the poetry of her
life. The "closed parlor" had long
since assumed the grimness and
mustiness of country best parlors; of
which in her girlhood days she had
made such fun. John was rich man;
and in spite of his marriage vows and
his glowing prayer meeting talk, was
allowing burdens grievous to be borne,
to press on her shoulders in order TO
''salt down" his dollars
Had she not duty TO perform?
Ought she to allow him to preach and
never 10 practice, Had she not rights
to be respected which were not by her
husbandP for, she reasoned. # he al
| lowed her to do what could be done
by n hired womaa at two dollars a
week, then he rated her ut THAI price.
''Widier Patch has had tough
time ont" said neighbor Jones, land
she's going out west to Tom, if she
can sell the medler, and Jane is going
out to work; she tried sewing but it
didn't agree with her. DR.. Stone re-
commends housew0rk as the healthiest
bus ness. P"
"'Tis healthy business" chimed in
John, "now my wife's a hundred
times better than when l married her.
| Why. she never did washing IN her
life unit she came TO the farm. l
think washing aud general house
work is much better than plan O. play
ing and reading
so ! say to the girls who poster me
10 buy an organ; better play on the
washboard, enough sight was the ele-
1 giant response.
! ''Are YOU going to bav that cranber-
nv meadow, JohnP" Nary asked as
she saw her husband making prepare
I tons to GO FROM home.
''Yes-whyP"
''Can you afford it,
1--WE shall have to figure little
closer in order to do il. but its going
cheap"
You will have to give up Tom Nirch
won't you and do the chores your
! selfP'
IL have thought of 1t; but Tom is
poor. and to give him a home is n
deed of charity. No. we will save
some other way"
How much do you pay Tom
"Three dollars and his board. And,
| bv the way he saws you didn't wash
his clothes. Wash ny and mending
] was in the bargain"
l think Tom will have to 90, for |
| have hired Jano Patch. She will be
here tonight. Two dollars week |
am to give her. You want TO practice
Bear ye one anolher's burdens as
well as preach from the text; SO l will
! give you a chance. l will sit on the
cool piazza after tea with ne ghbor.
VIII le you do the chores. l think the
time has come for some of NV burdens
to be lifted. BY exchanging Tom
for Jane you will have one dollar a
week for the cranberry meadow. You