Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-12-26

some other odd jobs
"H'm! Mrs. Bowser, / don't be-
lieve in encouraging such people. He'd
have done about one hours work aid
charged you for whole day. / don't
believe he knows any more about
whitewashing than do about playing
the harp"
"But he said he said"
"Certainly. Did you ever see ne
gro who wouldn't say anything to fit
the occasion?"
"Well, but"
"There is no but about it. If there
are any little jobs about the house I've
got plenty of time to do them. In
fact, need just such exercise. Such
work is a diversion for me, and the
doctor recommends it."
''Do you mean to say you will do
the white washingW
~ do. i don't do it to save q dollar,
but for my own benefit. / always
liked the smell of lime"
~ wish you wouldn't do it. You'll
get lime in your eyes and you will
blame me for it, and"
"There you go! Blame you'll What
would | blame you about? If / get
lime in my eyes it's my own fault.
Mrs. Bowser, you are getting to be a
good deal of a crank lately"
"Well, if you are determined on it,
don't say that l asked you or ell
couragcd you"
"That's a funny way TO talk to me,
Mrs. Bowserl Are you getting ready
for the insane asylum? If Pm willing
to peel off and do these odd jobs ought
TO be encouraged instead of insulted."
was quite sure how il would end,
but ssid nothing more, and in the
course of half an hour he got into his
old clothes and went down cellar.
TO lowed him down to give him a few
last words of advice, but he didn't need
them.
"You 60 right up stairs and sit
down and enjoy YOURSELF" he said.
"Herc's the brush and here's a pail of
lime, and if | don't whitewash more
cellar in ten minutes than Moses could
in all day, I'll never try il again. Be-
sides, Mrs. Bowser, withdrawing is
not the SLOUGH work you imagine il 10
be. II has got to be done by a person
of taste and intelligence or it won't
stand. | want little more blueing to |
give it tinge."
"You understand" l said, as | got |
what he wanted, "that ! did not ask |
you to do this work"
"Ask me- What on earth ails you,
Mrs. Bowser? You are making fuss
enough over ten minutes work to war
rant years job. I'll show you job
here that will make blackman turn
green with envy. just run upstairs
and make yourself comfortable"
| retreated up the stairs TO the
kitchen door and waited for results
which | knew were sure to come. Mr..
Bowser dipped and dished and sozzled
and stirred until he had the liquid to
his liking, and as he began on the stone
wall heard him chuckling.
al said ten minutes, but I'll go slow
and take twenty. The idea of color
ed man sloshing around here all day TO
do this work. Let's see. / believe
l. III take lllt ONtlDChQ Hict.
l held my breath in suspense for
ong minute. Then a yell rose from
hat cellar which jumped the cook out
IF her old slippers and made her cry
put:
ssFor heavens sake, Mrs. Bowser,
nave we been struck by another cy-
cloner'
There was second and third yell,
md as l hurried down stairs Mr..
3owser stood in the middle of the
cellar, hands outstretched and jump
ng up and down as if he had fire ,
lnder his feet.
"For heavens sake, what is it, Mr.. {
3owser?v | asked.
Observation-Disclosures" 8
"Where?"
'In my eyesl Pm blindl I've I
'urned them out!" {
got hold of him and led him out TO
he laundry tubs and set the water TO
unning. He had indeed got dose in i
is ewes, but it was more painful than
angerous. He could hardly see day
ght after we had washed out all the {
me, and as | led him up stairs he '
aid:
III shall never see again-never see "
on or the baby again in my life" o
| washed his eyes in milk and got il
i'm to lie down on the lounge, and in
couple of hours he was pretty near
4 right His eyes were sore, but no b
reat damage had been done. He was
cry gentle until he discovered this.
hen he suddenly turned on me with:
s.Mrs. Bowser, what possible excuse \
an YOU urge in extenuation of your h
onduct?" a
..What do you mean?" a
ssWhat do l meant That's q cool I
uestion to ask mel In view of what f
as transpired, what have You to sayP' z
II say that you were foolish to I'M Il
ertake the job. warned you how p
would turn out ST
..Afrs. Bowser!" he shouted, squirt Il