Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-18
HOW JOSH KEPT HOUSE.

@Hang it all, Marier, I'm sick an tired
of this everlasting palaverin' about
women's work never bein' done, an sich
nonsensei I'm blamed if l see why a
right smart woman can't git her work
done, an have an easy time of it half Of
her time. Now, if was woman, I'd
have some spunk about me, an I'd do
like"
Now, Josh Phlatkins, you needn't go
about tellin' me how your mother used
to do, an all that, cause I've heard the
old lady say herself them very same
words, as is, "A womans work is never
done tell she's in her grave"
well, anyhow, Marier, I'm mighty
sure that if was woman could do
your work an have good, easy time
every day of my life"
II s'pose then, Josh, you wouldn't
mind tryin' it while, bein' man?"
asked the wife, pausing in washing the
breakfast dishes, and glancing cynically
to where her spouse sat smoking corn
cob pipe, and looking through a last
months Farmers Tribune.
"Eh?" asked Josh, looking up.
She repeated her question.
"Tve thought of that same thing N.Y.
self, he replied, "only didn't know
how you could git along with my work. :"
@Oh, you needn't worry yourself bout
that, Josh. kin do your work if you'll
do mine
Mrs. Phlatkins felt safe in promising
this, for when Joshua was seized with
1 k..a. L.
had the whole thing to attend to many a
time. Josh seemed to forget this, in his
sudden solicitude for the welfare of his
business.
You'll have to hitch up, and be keer-
full with that off colt, cause he's skeery
of the railroad crossin'. Be sure an
water them at Smiths well; an don't
let 'em drink too much. Take that but
ter to Squire Rubin's, an the punlxin to
Jones's, an the corn to Shears ware
house; an don't forgit to order bar'l of
salt, Marier, an some bolts for that ma
chine
~Oh, I'll remember everything" said
Mrs. Phlatkins. AN now I'll tell you
your work for the day. You Jest want
TO finish these dishes first; then wash out
that basket of clothes an hang 'em out
to dry; scrub the floor an churn that
butter; it orto come quick to-day, cause
the creams just right By that time the
bread'll be ready to bake; an you might
put on some beans an squash an taters
to cook at the same time, for you an
Dams dinner. After you get the dinner
things done you can can them two buck
cts of plums: then, while you're resting,
like, you might mend that basketful Of
socks, an put patch on Dams everyday
pants. Then you kin git supper, an I'll
try to be back in time to eat it an tell
you what to do next.
After giving these explicit directions,
Mrs. Phlatkins proceeded to do her hus-
bands errands In the town while Joshua
began most systematically the tasks
that were to be as play to his superior
tact.
The washing was done in no time, and
the clothes all hung on the line in good
array. To be sure he did mot rinse nor
wiring them; but these operations were
only consumers of time, anyway; and
they looked beautiful, as they waved
their bright blue (aIbeit streaked) folds in
the sunlight
1t seemed all foolishness to let the
bread stand around 30 long, when il
might Just as wen be in baking.
I'm just put it in now with the other
things, an build up good hot fire, an
by the time cit this butter churned the
whole bakin' win be done, an every
thing, thought Josh; 90 he built roar
ing fire, and went merrily to his churn-
ing. After bobbing the dasher for is
minutes, Joshua peeped into the churn
to see how things were progressing in
there.
At that exact moment there arose
dreadful screeching Ia the back yard.
-That blamed hawk after them chick
ems again. muttered Joshua, dropping
the dasher and making dive for his old
smooth bore, which contained q good
charge Of fine shot, for use ON such occa-
sions.
Pushing toward the barnyard, he espied
large hawk Just rising with one Of his
most promising young pullets. while all
the other p. Z. P's were rending the air
with their shrieks and 1ker draw cuts.
Bangl Down dropped the puiIet with