The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-10-18
"Fd rather hire a GIRL" said he, ITO

| Hire a girlr' shrieked the three
women in chorus. Hire a girl to do
the work of this small family! Is the
man crazy? Why shouldn't your wife
work as well as Deacon Peabodys wife
or Captain Zeke Johnsou's wife. or
any other of the farmers wives around
herep"
"she's different, you know" said
'oe' somewhat abashed by the general
outcry of remonstrance.
HES setting up an IDOL and falling
down to worship it," groaned Miss
Melissa.
ats downright SINFUL" sighed
grandmother.
Joseph, do try and be a little rea-
sonable," argued Mrs. Vane.
Anu bvt"vu~r tiI~1I. oii, ulIOJ
wildered poor Joseph that he had not
word OF remonstrance to utter when
Laily came home and put on huge
plaid gingham gown which had be-
longed to Mother Vane. and tucked her
sunny hair up under pocket-hand-
kerchief, and declared that "she was
going to learn to keep house in good
earnest"
'Do you think you can manage it,
dearP" said Joe, obviously.
"Of course ! can," said Lally.
My son, don't discourage her."
said Mrs. Vane, solemnly. "We are
put onto this world to work, not to
play"
And you know your income don't
admit OF a 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 genuine helpmeet," said
grandmother, gently. For she was
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. aud went, so
to speak, into rheumatic winter quar-
ters. And Lally descended valiantly
into the cellar and faced the situation
"Am | to do the washing9n she
asked, little daunted at this grisly
prospect
You don't expect me to do it. do
youe' 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 tUUk IL 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 coun-
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 DtN 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. II wiN be q housekecper.
No one shall taunt Joe with the fact
that he has married a 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;
the weekly wash and ironing could not
be outdone by even Chinaman. In
fact, Lally had learned tho trade of a
first-class young American house.
keeper.
Il always knew my little girl had
the real metal in her," said triumph
ant Joe.
Il am so glad you are pleased"
Lally, with crimsoning
cheeks.
But so gradual had been the change
that no one had perceived how white
and thin the young wife was growing,
until one sultry summer day, when
she tainted away in the midst of her
The doctor was summoned, and came
promptly. He felt the pulse, listened
ut the heart and shook his head.
II can do no good" said he. The
time for Interference has long since
gone by. What have you all been
thinking about, to allow this frail lit.
Tie creature to work herself to deathP"
"Ehp" said old Mrs. Vane, while
Joseph stood, white and shocked, be-
side the bedside.
"She has been killing herself"
1uietly enunciated the doctor. Like
MI the rest OF the American women,
the has tried to do the work of three
,r four. Look at her, as she lies there,
Ike fraiI broken flower" he added,
,adly. II do no not say that she was
,ver strong, but with proper care she
would have lived to good old age.
Now"
Doctor" wildly burst in the young
husband, "she shall have proper care!
must have been blind-mad-besot-
ed! But now / am wiser. Tell me
What to do. Shall l take her to Italy'
Will European advice benefit herP For
Ieaven's sake, do not stand there so still
Ind sternn'
..I4 x,aa. so,,nd harsh y said the doc