Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-11-19
tits downright .in,al." sighed

word OF remonstrance TO utter when
Lally came home and put on n huge
plaid gingham gown which had be.
longed to Mother Vane. and tucked her
sunny hair up under n pocket-hand-
kerchief, and declared that ''she was
going to learn to keep house In good
earnest"
do you think you can manage 1t,
dearP" said Joe, obviously.
''Of course ! cam" 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 retinne OF servants"
sourly added Miss Melissa
Laura is performing the truest and
noblest part OF wife's duty in trying
to become a genuine helpmeet," said
grandmother, gently. For she was g
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 ahd faced the situation,
"Am / TO do the washing9" she
asked, little daunted at this grisly
prospect
"You don't expect me to do it, do
your" said Mrs. Vane. rubbing her
joints with Imminent and grooming
aloud.
" There seems to be no one else 10
do it, my DEAR" said grandmother,
who didn't see wherein her grandson,
wife differed from Zeke Johnson's
stout helpmate. who took a 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 1t was the brides first washing,
and she learned wisdom by experl-
ence. Moreover. she took secret coun-
sci with old Aunt Sue. venerable
negress who lived in an adjoining
cabin, and soon astonished Mrs. Vana
by the perfection OF her triumph In
the art OF laundry.
II wiH learn" said Lally to herself
and she told no living soul how she
lay awake ut night with aching bones
and frame too weary to taste the sweets
of repose. Il uM 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-lilse order;
the weekly wnsh and ironing could not
be outdone by even Chinaman. In
fact, Lally had learned the trade OF
tirst-class young American house,
keeper
II always knew my little girl had
the real metal in her." said triumph.
mt Joe.
II am so glad you are pleased"
whispered 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.
"a can do no good" said he. THE
time for interference has long since
gone by. What have you all been
about, to allow this frail lit.
tie creature to WORK herself to death2"
"EhP" said old Mrs. Vane. while
Joseph stood. white and shocked, be-
side the bedside.
"She has been killing herself"
quietly enunciated the doctor. like
Ill the rest OF the American women.
she has tried to do the work OF three
Or four. Look at her, as she lies there,
ike frall broken flower" he added,
sadly. II do no not say that she was
ever strong, but with proper care she
would have lived to a good old age.
Now"
Doctor" wildly burst In the young
husband. "she shall have proper care!
must have been blind -mad-besot-
edl But now | am wiser. Tell mo
What TO do. Shall take her TO Italyp
Will European advice benefit herp For
Heavens sake. do not stand there so still |
and sternm
ut may sound harsh" said the doc
.or, "but truth Is best. Your ques-
lions come too late Not all the |
medical skill in the two continents can
save your wife now. To all intents
md purposes, she Is In her coffin al
,eady."
So poor little Lally died, and in the
of her last hours she looked |
up into her husbands face, and said,
He knows now that was not use |
ess doll; he knows am good house,
And the words were like two-edged |
laggers in Joseph Vane's heart for he |
knew that this white lamb had been |
offered up on the altar OF sacrifice to
hat cruel Moloch which has devoured |
10 many American wives-Work.
Not the healthful, bracing work
which Is healing angel in It's proper
legree, but the drudging, toilsome.
1ever-lifted work which grinds down |
Ioul and body alike to the level Of
nero machine. and transforms a valiant
1oung girl to mere worn-out wreck.
And Joseph Vane never married
again, but mourned to his dying day
he fatal mistake he had made in al-
owing sweet Lally TO drift unrescued
tut OF the haven OF his loyal heart
But 1t was as DR.. Day had snid-all |
his agony OF remorse came too late.-
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