The Press., 1889-03-07

hair 'It was the Lords will that your mother should be took away, and there ain't no sort O doubt but that she's better off. And Cynthia won't never stand Tn her shoes. no way you can look at it v
 Hector Bayliff made no reply, but took up his ox-yoke and went across the fields with it. .,l
 "Futher may say what he pleas 8, said he to himself, sbut mother died of over- work and undercare, and nothing else. And the household duties are too heavy for Cynthia. and must see what can be done to tighten them. No woman shall be drudped to death under this roof now"
 Cynthia Hough had been pretty young factory girl when Hector Bayhff had mar ried her. She had been ignorant of all the details of housekeeping, but she had ex- erted herself diligently to learn.
 Old MT. Bayliff, however, was an exact ing critic, and the Bayliff farm house was big, rambling, inconvenient place, where one might work hard all day and have very little to show for it at the end. And the tired look in her eyes, and the weary flush on her check. went to Electors heart at times.
 My darling," said he, "I wish could make things easier for you"
 "Oh, they are easy enough, said Cyn- thia. "It's only that am too stupid to manage as ought.
 Hector shook his head. He knew that something was lacking, but he did not quite compresend what.
 But she dropped so that he saw some radical change was necessary.
 Cynthia" said he, ''this won't do. You must go to stay with you mother week or two, and rest and recruit" SSRu+ ubok xuill vOl, do Hector ,"
 "We'll keep bachelors hall, father and l." said the young man, cheerily. "What does it signify to us, little inconvenience, so long as you are benefited ?"
 So, rather unwillingly, Cynthia went. Old Silas Bayliff shook his head forebod- ingly. .-....- ..-.
 eff this is the way you're goin' to baby that wife of your'n, Hector," said he, you'll hev her playin' sick the whole time don't hold to lettin' women think them- selves too important. Now we shall be obleged to hey Mary Jenkins here to do the chores an cook, and it'll cost us dol lar and half week at the very least Faint what I call economical housekeep- in'."
 ''That depend upon what one calls econ ony, said Hector, quietly. But when his neighbor, Luzon Perkins, drove past that afternoon, with his wife, Hector called them in, secretly rejoicing that Old Silas was down in the swamp-lo capturing refractory calf. "You're not in 8 hurry, Luzon, are you ?' said he. ''Sit down a minute. want to ask your wife's advice.'
 "A pretty thing to do" laughed Mrs Perkins, 'when you've got wife of your own.": e~ ...
 "It's about her that want to consult you," said Hector. ''The work here is too I heavy for her. She don't seem to get along with it. And don't know why. Now, | Mrs. Perkins, look around this kitchen, and tell me what you would do to it if you lived here."
 Mrs. Perkins took a leisurely view of the premises, letting her eyes rest on one portion after another with meditative slow l ness. l "Well?'' said Hector. 1 -"In the first place" said Mrs. Perkins, > 'I wouldn't have this room for kitchen at all, If I lived here. It's damp"
 "Damp!" ]" echoed Hector.
 s'As blue mould," added the oracle l ''The cellar under it isn't properly drained, I am certain. And the windows look to the north, and don't suppose there's an hours sunshine in it all day. No-make a store-place or something of this rooniyy and take the sitting-room for kitchen, where there's bright look out to the south, and good cemented cellar under neath."
 ':I never thought of that" said Hector. "W ell, what else?"
 "Where do you get the water 9 asked Mrs. Perkins,
 "From the spring, under the hill." l hot hoaf fr, bring all the water you use up that hill 9 1 "Except the wash water. That she dips out from the hogshead under the caves, " explained Hector, rather discomfited.
 "My goodness me p said Mrs. derkins, ringing her plump hands in comical dis may ''that's enough to break any wom- ans constitution P
 "It's what we've always done, said Hec- tor. 'I bring couple of pails of water in the morning before I go to work and after come home, but" ..z:
 s.Nonsense mere drop in the bucket P said Mrs. Perkins. "What you want is a sink, with water. pipes laid from the spring, and good cistern, with pump in the kitchen, and washing machine"
 "What's that ?" said Hector.
 "We'll show you one if you'll come over to our house P said Luzon Perkina, cheer. fully. .-Fs.
 ''And stationary tubs in the cellar, {" add. ed Mrs. Perkins, 'and hot water boiler back of the stove. That's the way to break work down instead of letting it break you down.
 "I'll do it" said Hector; I'll have all these things fixed up while Cynthia is al her mothers if you'll just help me with your experience. :"
 Mrs. Perkins nodded approvingly.
 ''It 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.
 | sH'Hector,'' said he, ''I believe you're gone crazy The old ways was good enough good for your wife. 2
 But Hector was firm, and the old mar lost his tomper aE last