Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-05-03
Mr.. AND MRS. BOWSER.

Just as the individuals referred 10
we're passing out.
"1hey called to see when | would
be ready for them"
"How ready ~
cit is spring, you know"
"Well, what has spring, you
know, got to do with two cOlOred
women "
81 have got to wash few win
dows and take up a carpet or two"
"House cleaning"
"No, not exactly, but then
"See here. Mrs. Bowser, this
thing has got to stop right here
and now! Because, some 200 years
ago, some old cranky housekeeper
in England felt obliged to rip and
tear and upset the house for two or
three weeks in April, all you wo'
n en- of today feel obliged to keep
MP the custom"
"But everybody cleans house
more or less.p
"Can't help that. Pm not going
to have everything topsy turvy
around here for the next three
weeks. That will be the result If
you pat two women at work. They
will spin out the job as long as
possible.T
'It won't take over a week.
"a week ! 1t shouldn't take one
day can go at aud do all the
cleaning necessary in one hour"
didn't say anything further un-
til after supper. Unfortunately for
me one of the women returned 70
ask about matter she had forgot
ten, and Mr.. Bowser saw her and
said:
"Are you one of the women who
are going to house.clean here z"
eyes, sah."
"Excuse me, but | don't believe
it. If there's any cleaning to be
done III do it myself. You needn't
put in any appearance here to'mor'
row or any other day."
cam you's gwine to clean houseF
she asked in surprise.
81 am. | know it does not be-
long to mans estate, but / haye a
young and inexperienced wife who
is easily imposed on, and | am 60
ing to prove to her that this house
cleaning is all fraud.'
"Mr. BOwser,D said, as he re-
turned to the sitting room, "didn't
YOU have an experience last
springW
"Yes, ma'am, | experienced this
house from top to bottom in just
two h ours, and it still remains the
cleanest house in Detroit. | have
nothing particular to do tomorrow
and I shall take hold"
III cau't help you any"
"When I want your valuable ss
slstance / will ask for 1t, Mrs
Bowser. AS am feeling in good
spirits this evening, | might a'
we'll begin on that coal stove. III
wrestle it ont into the back hall
ready to 60 to the barn in the
morning"
/ went upstairs just as he pulled
off his coat and spit on his hands
| knew just what muss he'd make
and | didn't want to be there Z
see. In a few minutes | heard th'
,latter of the stovepipe, as four o
fl We lengths bounced around on th'
fl oor, and three minutes later Their
". as wild yell for help. l raj
do wn just as the girl got in iron
the kitchen. Mr.. Bowser was ly
ing on his back on the floor, ant
the stove was lying on Mr.. Bowser
He was almost black IN the face a
he g asped
"T axe him of-take the blamed
thing off OF me"
The girl and | succeeded in lit
. ing it high enough for him to roI
ont. and he sat up and groane'
ard swOre and threatened dir
things.
81 was afraid it would be to
.. much for YOU" I saiG as ! ohere'
\ him a wet towel.
= "Oh you were How KIND Q
t You You are disappointed becaus
g the Internal thing didn't knock tn
Q life out of mew
+ went ap stairs and he reste
e awhile. Then | heard him mCvln
T the furniture about, and by and D.
. he came up to say
e "I want some salt to put on tn
. carpet before sweep"
j "But that carpet must come uI
Mr.. Bowser. It's been down tw
: years.
! That's all nonsense! Mothe
never lifted carpet until it wa
worn out. Where's the saltP
"But the curtains must com
down, the woodwork be ruboe
with damp cloth, the window
4 washed, and"
"And the root Of the hous
raised ten feet, of course. On
:, would think we'd had smallpox 1
the house. III get the step'ladde
and take the curtains down. Pei
haps III take the carpet up to.moI
: row but it's a waste of time"
a He went down and got the lad
p der, and / heard him whlstlIng a
Q he worked at one Of the curtains
J His whistle presently cut short
a aud there was a crash aud a yell