Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-02-05
HOW 4 WOMAN MANAGES.

NUN ~ WOWAN WRtNr0eSs
1t Il Sunday morning In New Eng
land.
The snow that fell over night has COW
cred the THU coating Of Ice on the side-
walks, and people going out to the
door for the bakers morning loaf OF
brown bread strike the top step aud
shoot down to the fence, holding the
brown bread and their tempers as well
as they can, while the neighbors open
their windows to listen to the remarks
that seem to fit into the occasion.
shortly afterwards the family sit down
to breakfast, and before the onslaught
of three determined boys the beans that
It had been hoped would last over for
MONDAYS dinner are rendered quite
otherwise.
The head Of the family then takes the
snow shovel and goes out doors, looks
dejectedly at the sidewalk and comes 10
again. The furnace appearing TO share
the detection OF his spirits he shakes 1t
down gently and puts on some more
coal. Then he Tugs out some ashes.
There are six days In the week when
man may lug out ashes with clear con-
science, but sunday appears TO aiiprd
him more time. Part of the ashes he
puts on the Icy place under the clothes
line and the rest OF it on his dressing
gown. :,
"rhe first bell is ringing" warns his
wife. 81
So he brushes the ashes from himself
so well as he can and gets out his razor.
The first rake he gives his chin brings
up the tears.
".This Is the d."
"Marcellus wetherbee." cries his
wife.
fullest razor | ever saw" he says,
catching himself.
He then iuscribes Turkish crescent
on his cheek and shameless the blood with
strip Of brown paper.
"Where Is ms clean shirty' he calls,
and TO his surprise finds 1t on the BED
with the collar. button nicely adjusted.
This being a true story the collar but
ton appears In the right place at the
right time. In fiction the collar button
Il under the bureau or dropped down In
side your underwear.
From distance comes the low sound
OF smashing water. IL IA the three boys
being put one n, time through the
CHASTITY ordeal OF the wssh-tub. Anon
wild shrek rises and goes up the attic
stairs as their mother, with a rag on
hairpin, works around the corner of their
ears.
| Then follows scene so hurried IN
action, so blurred In detail, that exact
description becomes Impossible.
Three boys, with an enthusiasm that
only three boys are capable OF, became
hopelessly involved in each other
shirts and waists and waists and stock
| inys and necktics, and are set right only
after many personal encounters ana tue
stimulating influence OF Few parentai
whacks on the head; a woman's form
glides hurriedly from room to room,
slowly accommodating clothing that be-
longs TO her dress-up periods; the
| furniture gradually takes on settled
appearance aud order reforms out OF
what Was short time since u household
chaos, while ever Is heard the loud nut
teripgs OF the head Of the family. who
with A coat aud vest of different vintage
Is GU, In the shed trying TO get polish
on his boots with cake OF stove black
ing and brush so bald OF thistles that a
barefooted baby might walk all over II,
and few minutes afterwards, AS the
last stroke Of the church bell quivers
into the solemn air, neat trig woman,
f.ultless In attire, her features set IN
calm repose, hustles three cleau-clad,
hair-combed boys into pew and de-
murely joins In the opening services.
Ten minutes later the head OF the fam
ily. with his coat collar showing above
his oyercoat and general air OF hurried
disreputability, scuttles hame-iacediy
down the aisle and sinks into his seat.
Since morning he has
Tended the furnace.
| Shaved himself.
| BACKED his boots.
And what OF his wife who sits there
TRANQUILITY joining In the responsive
readings, raising her voice In The hymns
and holding a repressful oversight OF
three uneasy boys. Since morning sue
has
| Got the breat fast
Washed up the dishes,
Swept the Kitchen
Wound two clocks,
Scrubbed three boys,
Dressed them,
Also thumpcd them judiolously,,,
Sewcd on button her husband-l,
| Male up three beds,
Mcnde'i n glove,
Hunted up three sunday school books
Dressed herself,
| Crinped her hair.
Also the feather on her bonnet,
| Looked through the sunday school lesson.
Squared away the ROOMS,
| Adjusted all the window curtains,
| Pound pennies for the boys.
| Also handkcrchief- and hal them used
Aud yet there Is n feeling among men
that the qualities of organization and
execution are so deficient In woman that
il would hardly be safe thing TO en-
trust her with the ballot.
The day wears on. All the afternoon
while the head OF the family takes re-
Operative nap, his wife holds three
savage boys Ia subsection and reads To
them aloud. At night she files them
away for reference and takes her slow
way to prayer meeting.
The head of the family slumbers on.
ave ought to be grateful for day OF
rest" he says reAectively, at the break
fast table next morning.
| IL is the New England sabbath so
msny OF Us are familiar WITHIN. y.
Fuller, Jr., In Rockland Tribune.