St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-11-30
W. g KENTZEL, Editor
ia rather hiro a girl" said he. TO

help her."
Hire q girlr' shrieked the thre
women in chorus. Hire girl to d,
the work of this small family! Is tn,
man crazy? Why shouldn't your wifi,
work as we'll as Deacon Peabody's wifi,
. or Captain Zeke Johnson's wife, o.
any other of the farmers wives arouni
here?"
"She's different. you know" sale
Joe. somewhat abashed by the genera
outcry of remOnstrance.
Hes setting up an idol. and falling
down to worship it." groaned Mis-.
Melissa.
Its downright sinful" sighed
grandmother.
Joseph. do try and be little rea-
sonable." argued Mrs. Vaue.
And between them all, they SO be-
wildered poor Joseph that he had no,
word OF remonstrance to utter when
Lally came home and put on huge
plaid gingham gown which had be-
longcd to Mother Vane. and tucked her
sunny hair up under a pocket-hand-
kerchief. and declared that '.she was
going to learn to keep house in good
earnest"
DO you think you can manage it,
dear?" said Joe. obviously.
'Of course / can." said Lally.
My son. don't discourage her."
said Mrs. Vane. solemnly. I'VE are
put onto this world to work. not to
play"
And you know your income don't
admit of whole retinue of servants"
sourly added Miss Melissa
Laura is performing the truest and
noblest part of a wife's duty in trying
to become a genuine helpmeet" said
grandmother. gently. For she was q
good soul. after all.
SO Miss Melissa went to visit rela-
tive whom she entertained with all
the catalogue of the various short
comings of "Joseph's wife" Old
Mrs Vane seated herself in her chair
BY the chimney corner. and went, so
to speak. into rheumatic winter quar-
ters- And Lally descended valiantly
into the cellar and faced the situation.
'.Am l to. do the washing?" she
asked, little daunted at this grisly
prospect
You don't expect me to do it. do
you?" said Mrs. Vane. rubbing her
joints with liniment and groaning
aloud.
There seems to be no one else to
do it. my dear" said grandmother.
who didn't see wherein her grandson's
wife differed from Zeke Johnson's
stout helpmate. who took sort of |
triumph in wrestling with the weekly |
wash.
So Lally did the washing as best she
could The shirts were "clouded"
and the calicoes ''streaky" that week,
but it was the brides first washing,
and she learned wisdom by expert
ence. Moreover. she took secret couu-
sci with old Aunt Sue. venerable
negress who lived in an adjoining
cabin. and soon astonished Mrs Vane
by the perfection of her triumph in
the art Of laundry.
Il ciH learn" said Lally to herself
and she told no living soul how she
lay awake at night with aching bones
and frame too weary to taste the sweets
Of repose. Il sCiu be housekeeper.
No one shall taunt Joe with the fact
that he has married useless doll"
So when Miss Melissa came back she
cauld scarcely believe the evidence of
her own senses. Lally's bread was
snow. her pies light as feathers. The
whole house was in wax-like order:
he weekly wash and ironing could not
Dc outdOne by even a Chinaman. In
act Lally had learned tho trade of a
irst-class young American house
Keeper.
Il always knew my little girl had
he real metal in her." said triumph
Int Joe.
Il am SO glad you are pleased"
whispered Laily. with crinsoning
.heeks.
But SO gradual had been the change /.
hat no one had perceived how white .
nd thin the young wife was growing.
lntil one sultry summer day, when
he tainted away in the midst of her !.
Tashing.
The doctor was summoned, and came 8
He felt the pulse. listened
{ the heart. and shook his head.
Il can do no good" said he. "The :
me for interference has long since h
one by. What have you all been =
mixing about, to allow this frail lit. :,
Q creature to work herself to death" y
''Eh?" said old Mrs vane. while v
oseph stood. white and shocked, be. h
de the bedside.
''She has been killing herself"
lietly enunciated the doctor. Like
i the rest OF the American women, :
le has tried to do the work of three l,
. four. Look at her. as she lies there.
ke frail broken flower" he added, = :,
IDLY. Il do no not say that she was :.
'er strong, but with proper care she :,
ould have lived to q good old age =
ow-" r
Doctor" wildly burst in the young =;
,sband. ''she shall have proper care! =,
must have been blind d-mad-besot- -
d! But now I am wiser. Tell me e.
hat to do. Shall take her to Italy? -
i'll European advice benefit her? For :.
eaven's sake. do not stand there 20 still :.
ID stern!'' =.
1T may sound harsh" said the doc :.
p s.but truth is best. Your ones