Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-02-13
Mrs. Smiths Way.

GdSGel III dpptdIdHCe, oOuc WOIh na'
fallen idly in her lap while her chiI
rested on her hand and she had be
come so absorbed in thought, that sht
heard not the opening of the doc
when he entered.
s'And what has put my Brownie
into such brown study that she has
neither eyes nor ears for things ol
time and sense?" inquired Mr.. Smitl
after standing in the doorway fol
about two minutes watching his wife
go, Ned" exclaimed Mrs. Smith
starting up from her reverie, 81 nev-
er could be missionary, never
"Well,I am glad to hear you say so,
said Mr.. Ned Smith, seating himself
beside his wife while a broad smile
shone over his countenance, 81 would
be sorry to have you leave me here
alone, | assure you, and | have nc
intention, myself, of going off to
some distant cline to work among the
heathen.' %
"Ned, you may laugh at me if you
will; you know 1 didn't think of
heather in foreign lands at all i; but
do feel sorry for the people about US
who are daily killing themselves
"Dear me p calculated Mr.. Smith,
"who is committing suicide now?"
''Our neighbor Mrs. Wilkins, and
many others beside, soberly respond
ed Mrs. Smith.
aNow you speak in Riddles" said
her husband, 81 do not fathom the
depth Of your meaning"
''It is only this, Ned; l am sad
dened at the thought of people work
ing and worrying SO over trifes.'
"Why, Brownie, do you not think
trifes make perfection and perfec-
ton is no trife''
'.Ned, l wish you would be serious
for once and listen to what I say"
Mr.. Smith drew on long face and
said, "Now [ am all serious atten-
ton with mind wholly yours.
ga man should have mind of his
own" was the saucy retort. The mis-
chievous expression came again to
Mr.. Smiths eyes as he replied, "My
mind is yours and you are mine
therefore my mind is my own. Now,
Brownie, l am going to be as sober
as Judge and listen most obedient-
ly while you relate the cause of your
sudden attack of profound medita-
tion."
teWea this afternoon began Mrs.
Smith, ''I was out calling on our
and went, first, across the
street to Mrs. Wilkins, and found
that parsonage lying down complete
ly exhausted from overwork. She
does all her own work, and with their
large family that is no light task at
the best. She is by nature a strong
woman, energetic and industrious,
priding herself on how much work
she can do in day. That,y know,
is different from me, for / try to ac-
complish good deal by doing just as
[ can"
81 understand just what sensi- |
bly, lazy wife l have" said Mr.. Smith
with his long drawn face.
Brownie continued, 81 had con-
ceit enough to think myself able to
instruct her in my way of doing, and
to convince her of the truth that |
whoever might be better employed is
idle Yesterday she put a large
out on the line, and when l
went over to-day she had just finish
ed ironing a great pile of clothes, and
was lying down from sheer exhaus-
ton"
"And what was extraordinary in
that?'' asked Mr.. Smith. 81 have
seen my Brownies white hands NOV
ing swiftly over the ironing board"
"But my hands are not all hard
and roughened by drudgery. | think
my hands and head are the more cas-
lily kept clean by wearing gloves and
cap when doing sweeping and such
kinds of work.
''And perhaps Mrs. Wilkins isn't
so fortunate in having a kind, con-
siderate husband like Mrs. Brownie
Smith,"
"Of course not" was the emphatic
answer, 'sand neither has Mr.. Will
kins wife so awfully wise as Ned
Smith has. / esteem ourselves high
y enough to be very self satisfied, but
that isn't doing good to any one else"
ssOh, you want to be out perform
ng some great public work, ambitious
% be a home missionary or something
If the kind. / am becoming en-
ightened now," and the smile spread
tself over his face again.
81 had no thought of missioning
1t home or anywhere else," replied
Brownie with some spirit, s'but my
afternoon experience made me think
What difficult work Missionaries had
% do, and [ never could have faith
)r patience to work a reform among
peoples prejpdices. 1t does seem
@ me that good practical sense is one
If the great needs of the tunes. /
I'm not so strong as Mrs. Wilkins,
Tet you have seen me day after day
exhausted by oyerwork. / manage
nv work while Mrs. Wilkins work
manages her; that is the difference.
| told her when | had a large iron
ng to do, | did not try to iron all in
,ne day; and then such articles as