The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1895-06-01
HOMEKEEPING.
BY FRANCES M'CooL.

Mrs. Benton sat in her tidy little
kitchen, ripping up her gray Henrietta
dress. She sat in tbs kitchen because
its smooth painted aoor was easier to
free from the bits os thread and scraps
than carpeted one. She did her own
work. There was q little line between
her eyes. which deepened as she
shipped with the sharp scissors. Il
could cry if it would do the least
good she said, having acquired a hab-
it of talking to herself. Il want new
dress, and want to hire it made. In
fourteen ears l have hired only two"
She did cry now without regard to
the good it might do. She was not a
weak, nervous woman. On the con-
tray she was energetic and strong.
Keeping her seven-room fat in good
order, doing all the sewing for herself
and Edna, her oldest child, girl of
twelve, and considerable for Fred,
lively boy of nine; even undertaking
a coat for him sometimes when one of
her husbands would do to make over.
Mr.. Benton was shipping clerk in
a wholesale grocery and had been
gradually advanced from fifty to one
hundred dollars a month But the
family needs had advanced more rap
idly than his salary. Fred had shown
an unusual talent for drawing from the
time he was baby, which itwould be
absolutely wicked not to develop.
Edna had fairly good musical capa-
bility and took vocal culture. Mrs.
Benton could give her piano lessons
for time, and to pay for the piano she
had taught little girl in the lower
fiat; but she was not skillful enough to
attempt teaching music professionally.
Before her marriage she had been
cashier in the house where her hus-
band was now employed, and was
very good accountant She often
laughingly said her experience was
useful now. To-day she did not laugh;
neither did she cry long.
The scissors resumed their shipping
and the work of destruction, which
preceded new dress evolving from an
old one, went rapidly on. The door
bell rang. She pulled off her large
gingham apron and rubbed the dust
from her hands with an impatient air.
Callers and ripping could not combine
and she needed the dress.
( 1t was only the postman. She hur-
ried back to her work, opening the
letter as she went.
s,DEAR COUSIN KATE: I have been think
ing OF you often lately. My visit to you year
ago Is often in mind. / suppose you are now
as you we're then, busy ripping, turning
lengthening, getting ready for winter. I did
not say anything then, but 1t does seem to me.
Kate, q woman with your capabilities might
be something besides household drudge.
You do not allow yourself the luxury OF
washerwoman. Those are your own words
i used to expect great things Of you and hate
to be disappointed
Brother Fred writes me that his cashier
leaves him the first Of December. and he
wishes me to come and take the place. but
have other arrangements for the winter. Why
can you not take itg He will pay fifteen dol
lars week. you go ut eight and leave ut five
Consider it. Your al. Coz, JULIE"
Mrs. Benton had been standing while
she read the letter; now she sat down
suddenly. She could no longer keep
back the thought, she had been want
ing to do this very thing. Hire wom-
an to do the work, be free to come and
go, and earn money as she had done in
her girlhood. Her head whirled. She
could not work. 1t seemed almost like
wronging her husband to be SO glad of
q chance to earn independent wages
Her husbandl What would he say to
the scheme? He worked hard and
brought home his salary every week
in an envelope just as it was handed to
him and threw it into her lap with
some gay remark. He did all he could.
Did she expect more? She wanted
more at any rate.
7 She put the Henrietta away and be-
gan preparing for their early dinner.
Mr.. Benton was usually at home by
half-past five. The children came
romping in. They had been to the IL
brary after school and were late, but
she had not noticed the time. Edna
cav the letter on the table.