Connecticut western news., 1889-01-30

1Ou It uOI III o AuLOh1 dAC you2' said he. 'tSit down a minute. I want to ask your wife's advice"
 [" A pretty thing to do," laughed Mrs. Perkins, "when you've got wife of your own."
 'sIt's about her that want to consult you," said Hector. "The work here is too 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 leisurely view of the premises, letting her eyes rest on one portion after another with medita- tive slowness. ... "Well9" said Hector. s'In the first place." said Mrs. Per kins, sI wouldn't have this room for kitchen at all, if I lived here. It's dampk'
 'sDampw echoed Hector. "As blue mould," nodded the oracle.  s'The cellar under it isn't properly drained, I am certain. And the win | dows look to the north, and don't SUD- | pose there's an hours sunshine in it all day. No-make store-place or, some thing of this room, and take the sitting room for kitchen, where there's bright lookout to the south, and good cemented cellar underneath"
 'I never thought of that," said Hec- tor. "Well, what else9"
 ''Where do you get your water?" asked Mrs. Perkins.
 'From the spring, under the hill." "Do you mean that your wife has to bring all the water you use up that hills"
 Except the wash-water. That she dips out from the hogshead under the eaves," explained Hector, rather discom- fted.
 "My goodness mel" said Mrs. Perkins, wringing her plump hands in comical dismay; "thats enough to break any woman's constitutional"
 "It's what we've always done," said Hector. 1T bring couple of pails in the morning before I go to work and after I come home, butt
 "Nonsense! mere drop in the bucket!" said Mrs. Perkins. "What you want is sink, with water pipes laid from the spring, and a good cistern, with pump in the kitchen, and wash ing machine"
 "What's that2" said Hector
 "We'll show you one if you'll come over to our house2" said Luzon Perkins, cheerfully.
 "And stationary tubs in the cellar, !" added 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; s'I'll have all these things fixed up while Cynthia is at her mothers, if you'll just help me with your experience"
 "Mrs. Perkins nodded approyingly.
 ''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.
 "Hector," said he, 'I believe you're gone crazy! The old ways was good enough for your mother; I should think they'd be good enough for your wife,"
 But Hector was firm, and the old man lost his temper at last.
 'I can't stay here and see you makin ducks and drakes of the old place." said he. "If you're goin' to set your wife up for an idol and worship her, I shan't stand by and see it. I'll go to Ohio, and visit my brother Elnathan's folks; and we'll see where all these fine notions will bring you up. Anyhow, you needn't look to my money to get you out of the poorhouse.
 ''No, father, will not, said Hector And after he was gone, the repairs an6 improvements commenced in goot earnest.
 Silas Bayliff had intended to stay |; year in Ohio; but either the climate die not agree with him, or he didn't agree with brother Elnathan's folks, for he re. turned home some months before he wa expected.
 "There ain't no place like home, said Silas. "And, bless me, how brigh and nice things do look here! And declare, Cynthy, you're like another woman! Your cheeks are as red a. roses, and you step round as spry as an. cricket!"
 ssYes, father," said Cynthia, 'sthe i'm provements in the house have mad everything so much easier for me. r get the work done in half the time, ant with a quarter of the trouble" . Bayliff looked around. : 'The improvements, eh2" said he
 "But they cost sight O money" "Yes, they certainly did," owne' Cynthia.
 "How much, now2" said Bayliff, wit Q an interrogative upturning of his specta l cles.
 Q "Five hundred dollars,' said Cynthia !, Old Rny1iff ,ould not roDross a Oroan