The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-27
JERKS AND KINKS.

"The day has been just full of kinks"
That was what Mrs. Freeman said to
herself as she went to her room, tired
and discouraged after many hours of
weary, unsatisfactory household labor.
In the first place, the alarm clock had
been derelict in its duty, and in conse-
quence thereof breakfast was late, Mr.,
Freeman cross Tor did Mrs. Freeman
look through cross spectacles?), the chill
dren behindhand in getting ready for
school, and the entire domestic machin-
cry out of order. The CRATE of the kitcE-
en- range was mean enough to break,
and the sewing machine. with the total
depravity that is said to characterize in
animate things in troublous times, re-
fused to stitch properly, and, oh, the
trials and tribulations through which
the dear woman passed during the hours
of that day.
She had broken tooth out of her best
comb in trying to smooth Lulu's curls,
and, if there was anything that Mrs.
Freeman could not bear to see, it was a
comb minus any of its teeth.
You're pulling awfully mamma" the
child had said, and annoyed by the ac-
cusation, the mother had given the comb
a jerk, and out came the tooth.
Now that the troublesome day was
over Mrs. Freeman was asking herself
why she had been so bothered. "I sup.
pose ones life can't always be sunshiny,"
she at last concluded, with a sigh, and
then had sought relief in tired natures
sweet restorer, balmy Sleep"
The next morning the cloud seemed to
have lifted, and there was sunshine in
doors as we'll as outdoors. The home
atmosphere was clear enough to suit any,
body, there was not sign of frown or
a tear, and Mr.. Freeman went away
happy. The children laughed and sang,
and their mother hummed merry tune
as she went about her work.
Finally she tried the sewing machine.
expecting to find it out of order. II sup
pose shall have to get this repaired
she said to the young girl that helped
her with the work.
But to Mrs. Freeman's surprise the
machine stitched as we'll as it ever had
stitched. "Why, isn't it strange, Mary?'
she exclaimed. "This machine goes all
right today, and you know how badly it
acted vest erday,"
Mary gave her mistress a knowing
look, and, after moments thought, said
in respectful tone, Don't you think
you ierked rather more yesterday,
ma'am?"
Mrs. Freeman turned to her in aston
ishment. did II" she asked.
II think so, ma'am. believe that
sewing-machines, like every other thing,
need to be run with light, steady hand,
not hard thump and jerk" Then
she went into the kitchen, leaving her
mistress in very thoughtful mood.
did l jerk at everything yesterday"
Mrs Freeman asked herself, land was
that the cause of all the kinks? Yes, l
ierked at the stove. and broke the CRATE;
jerked at Lulu's hair and took tooth
out OF the comb; l jerked the window
open and loosened the cord. In fact,
was there anything l didn't jerk at?
Even my words to every member of the
household were ierky. and, after all, l
brought those kinks on myself. In the
future l shall avoid the kinks by refus-
ing. positively refusing, to have the
jerks"
And Mrs. Freeman went on humming
as she continued the fine stitches that
her machine was bound to make when
run by firm, regular movements.
Jennie Smith, in Golden Rule.