Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-01-30
". &. Z. u. NOTES.
How JOHN AND MARIA SPENT THE
CORN-3ioNEY.
FRANZ MOORE.

~ y -
kI that John seated himself
on stump in the farm
yard, while his wife, Maria, poised
herself on the one-leggpd stool and
proceeded To milk the brindle cow,
Sandwich. They named the COW
Sandwich, because the previous spring
she stood between the family and
want. The subject of conversation,
naturally enough, was corn, for the
huskiug was over and part of the crop
had been sold; the balance lay in piles
in the field, John had taken load TO
town that day.
Maria was rather an inquisitive sort
Of a woman aud veniured to ask John
how much he got for the corn and
what he did with the money, without
stopping To think that such quest ions
interfere with husbands personal
liberty. Now, John didn't have all
the money IN his pocket that he recei"-
ed for the corn, and sooner than come
out tiat-footed and say SO. he trusted
~ ans CttituN - cIt Z iSIiAi IIoIEI a y
plain lecture on finance. Said he,
"Maria, / never ask you how much
sugar you get in exchange for eggs.
If happen to ask you whit butter is
worth, it is simply to congratulate you
upon your skill in the creamery, and
you know | am always willing to d.
vide my last dollar to procure the com
forts of life" Yes" said she, THAT
may be all very true as far as it goes
but 1t does not answer my question::
How much dill you get for that corn?''
WASN'T that my corn?" said John
Didn't I toll day in and day out from
six in the morning till dark? Was hot
the PRECIPITATION upon n1y brow? Were
they not my feet that trudged from end
to end of the fed? Were they not my
hands worn thin in the husEi"g? AT
ter all this hardship you wreck my ell
joyment by prying into what should
not concern a woman,"
In Maria's mind, JOHN gazed on only
one side Of the picture. 1t was now "a
very appropriate time to delineate her
part in the production of that corn.
WHO was 1t John, that prepared your
brea kfast that you might go out al six
in the morning? Were not the sum,
mer mornings delightful? The brac-
ing air, the serene sky, the singing
birds, the buds bursting into flower
and leaf, were your environment, but
they gave no charm to my skillet aud
dishpan. Does not bending over a
washtub for a whole forenoon, to cleanse
husbands garments, cause pers pira-
ton? When nOoDtide comes, you seek
the Balm-of-Gilead shade, while hot
stove with its steaming kettles con-
fronts me. Gladly would I give up
the scrubbing brush t. toss the golden
ears OF corn into piles along the row.
And at set of sun you fold your arms
while three long hours stare me in the
face. Pausa for reflection before you
speak OF me wrecking your enjoyment.
How much did that corn sell for? Ii
is wnman's right to know how well
that toll, III which she shared, is paid"
"Woman's rights agaiu." gaspe,!
John. You bad better enter the
lecture field where you will have Il
whole audience instead of only NE to
edify by your eloGuence."
The fact is, John had been to the sa
loon and treated a number of loafers,
who hailed him as friend when they
thought he had money, and he, him
self, had inhibited pretty freely. AL
though the after efiects-drowslness
and moroseness-promp him to his
last reply, he was forced to the CON
victlon that the corn money was not
all his. The next time he went to |
town, Instead Of getting plug of to-
bacco fIr himself, he supplied his wife |
with chocolate, cocoa, and cinn anon.
Irstead Of & whisky bill, the corn mon |
ey brought blessings TO the home of
John and Maria.