The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-10-12
THOU ART THE MAN"

Its the last straw that breaks the
clmels back" said Lucy, bursting into
tears.
The pleasant June sunbeams came peep
ing into the cool, stone-p paved dairy, where
pans Of milk and cream were ranged in
the shelves, and u hlue-painted churn was
already placed or the table for service.
ITr. Bellendcn was Justly proud of his
dairy. Not chance guest came to t..
house but was invited down to see it; not IL
housekt eper in the neighbo'hood but
secretly enyied its many convenicnces and
exquisite neatness.
'And it isn't the dairy alonc!" .iumi h
antly remarked Seth Bell"ndcn. "And
you may go through the house from garrett
to cellar, and you will never find Il speck
of dust or stain of rust. There ever was
such a housekeeper MS my wife.
Mrs. Bellenden was young, too-scarcriy
Internationally. She had been TIE
daughter of retired army officer, delicatcly
reared and quite ignorant of all the mI-
chinery of domestic life until She married
Seth Bellenden.
OTIS very strange" Lucy had written 30
her father. ''The farm is beautiful You
never saw such monstrous old buttonball
trees, nor such superb roses, and the mca-
dows are full of clover and the Strawberries
shine like Jewels on the sunny hillsides. But
sketches or reads. don't think there is
copy of Tennyson in the neighborhood, and
no one ever head Of Dore or Millai>. All
tl,y think of is how many dozen of eggs
the hens lay, and how many cheeses can be
made in year. And the woman who has
a new receipt for watles, or new pattern
for horrible thing they call crazy quilts,
is the leader in society"
But presently young Mrs. Belleden her
self caught the fever and became model
housewife. Example is all-powerful, and
Lucy began to believe that the whole end
and aim of life was domestic thrift, money
saving and the treadmill of work.
'My DEAR said Seth, IF YOU thought
you could get along without Hepsy, the
maid, might be able to afford that new
reaper before the oat crop comes in"
"I'll try said Lucy.
And after that she arose before daybreak
and worked later in the night than ever.
What is the matter with your hands,.
Lucy?' Seth asked one day They are
not so white and beautiful as they used to
be?"
Lucy colored as she glanced down at the
members in question.
81 suppose it is making the fires" said
she.
And then she took to wearing old kid
gloves at her sweeping and busting and
digging out of ashes.
"My coat is tting shabby" Seth one
day remarked.
"Why don't you buy another one?"
asked his wife
Seth laughed-a short laugh
"What do YOU think Mrs Higginhothom
has done?" said he. ''She ripped up her
husbands old suit and cut pattern by it,
and made new one, and entirely saved
him ten dollarsW
81 could do that" said Lucy, with
sparkling eyes. 81 will try it,
''You can do anything, my dear" said
Mr.. Bellenden, admiringly.
And Lucy felt that she had her rich
reward.
All the affectionate relations of Mr.
Bellenden soon discovered that the farm
house was cool and shady, that Lucy's
cooking was excellent, and that the bed
rooms were neatness itself.
Some of them were even good enough to
invite their relations as WE'LL and so the
house was full from April to December.
All the clergymen made their home at
Brother Bellenden's when they came to
Sylvan Bridge for ecclesiastical conventions:
all tie agents of unheard of articles dis
covered that they knew somebody who was
acquainted with the Bellendens, and
brought their carpet-bags and valises, with
the faith in human hospitality which is one
of life's best gifts.
Mrs. Bellendens fame went abroad
among the Decreases of the neighborhood in
the matter of butter and cheese She took
prizes in the domestic departments of all
the agricultural fairs, and the adjoining
housewives took no trouble to make things
that they could borrow of Mrs. Belleden,
''just as well as not"
And one day, when poor Lucy, under
the blighting influence of horrible sick
headache, was endeavoring to strain three
or four gallons of milk into the shing pans,
the news arrived that Uncle Paul was COM
ing to the farm.
Another guest, said Lucy desparngly.
And then she uttered the proverb that
heads our sketch.
Oh, it's only Uncle Paul" said Mr..
Bellenden. "Don't fret, Lutte; he's the
most peaceful old gentleman in the world
He'll make no more trouble than cricket.
Johns wife thought she couldn't have him
because she had no hired girl, Just now"
"Neither have y said Lucy rebelliously.
"And Sarah Eliza don't like company.