The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12

w, IL yOu AfCu uoLts
Mr.. Perkins took leisurely view Of
the premises, letting her eyes rest on one
portion after another with meditstive
slowness.
"Well?" said Hector.
"In the first place." said Mrs. Perkins
81 would't have this room for kitchen
at all if I lived here. It's damp.
Damp echoed Hector.
"As blue mold" answered the oracle
The cellar under it isn't properly drain
ed, am certain. Aud the windows loof
to the north, and 1 don't suppose there's
an hours sunshine in it all day. NJ
make store-place or something OF thii
room, and take the sitting room for 6
kitchen, where there's a bright lookout
to the south, and a good cement cellar
underneath.
81 never thought of that" said Hector
"Well, what elsef"
"Where do you get your water?" asked
Mrs. Perkins.
lOlh phC SPAhlS uhAOA DlAO AAAAs
"Do you mean that your wife has tc
bring all the water you use up that
hill?"
"Except the wash water. That she
dips out from the hogshesd under the
caves" explained Hector, rather discom.
fitted.
"My goodness meP' exclaimed Mrs
Perkins, wringing her plump hands in
comical dismay; "that's enough to break
down any woman's constitution
sits what we've always DONE" said
Hector. 81 bring couple of pals in
the morning before 1 60 to work and
after come home, but
"Nonsensel A mere drop in the bucketP'
said Mrs. Perkins. "Whst you want is q
sink with water pipes laid from the
spring, and good cistern with a pump
in the kitchen, and washing machine
"What's that" asked Hector"
"We'll show you one il you'll come
over to our house," said Luzon Perkins
cheerfully.
"And stationary tubs in the cellar, u
added Mrs. Perkins, "and hot water
boiler back Of the stove. That's the way
to break down work instead Of work
breaking you down.
"Ill do it," said Hector. "Tll have
these things all fixed up while Cynthia is
at her mothers if you'll just help me with
your experience"
Mrs. Perkins nodded approvingly.
sit will add ten years to Cynthia's
life," said she.
Old Silas shook his head more strenu-
ously than ever when he heard OF these
new plans
"Hector," said he, ~ believe you're
gone crazyl The old ways were good
enough for your mother; I should think
they'd be good enough for your wife,"
But Hector was firm, and the old man
lost his temper at last.
81 can't stay here and see you making
ducks and brakes of the old place" said
he. eff you're going to set up your wife
for an idol and worship her, 1 shan't
stand by and see it. I'll go to Ohio and
visit my brother Elnathan's folks; and
we'll see where all these fine notions will
bring you up. Anyhow, you needn't
look to my money to get you out of the
poor-bouse."
"No, father, / will not" said Hector.
And after he was gone the repairs anG
improvements went on in good earnest
Silas Bsyliff had intended to stay 6
year in Ohio; but either the climate die
not agree with him, or brother Elna
than's folks, for he returned home SONS
months before he was expected.
"There amt no place like home" sale
Silas, "and, bless mel how bright anC
nice things do look here! And declare
Cynthia, you're like another woman
Your cheeks are red as roses, and yoI
step around as spry as any cricket"
"Yes, father" said Cynthia, ''the i'm
provements in the house have made every
bnlIk 81 D1uC1 IOI AAOs L 6Cb t14A
work done in half the time and with
quarter of the trouble"
Bsyliff looked around.
"The improvements, eh?" said he
"But they cost sight O. money"
eyes, they certainly did," owned Gym
thia.
"How much, now?" asked Bsyliff, will
an interrogstive upturning of his spec
tRcles.
give hundred dollars" said Cynthia
Old Bayliff could not repress a groan
"The interest on five hundred dollar
at six per cent, is thirty dollars a year,
said he. "Thirty dollars is good roun(
sum, and all dug into the ground, yoI
say, in pipes and drainsl"
"Not quite, father" said cheerful Gym
thiR opening the table drawer. "Lool
here, my work is done so easily ant
quickly nowadays, that have deal o
ime to myself, and here is my work from
the shirt factory-buttonhole making
and putting on the finishing touches yol
see. I take it up when my dishes ar,
washed and the work is over. haven
been at it half a year yet, and I've earned
a good deal more than thirty dollars
Look, here is my savings-bank bookP
"Well, declared said Silas.
"Hector objected to it at first" went OIL
Cynthia, but when proved to him tina
should still have plenty of time left t.