The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-06-08

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But Edna obeyed poutinglv- Her
mother was not ready I o discuss the
contents. She wished to know her own
mind first. She put the letter away
and it was not mentioned that night.
1t was the first time she had ever hada
secret from her husband. and she felt
as guilty as if it were a criminal affair.
Next day she was still undecided, and
rather uncomfortable.
She resolved to see Fred before speak
ing of it TO her husband, and it was
several days before she could con-
veniently go. She did not accomplish
much during the time. Fred was only
too glad to secure her services. 50 she
agreed. if Mr.. Benton was willing. ard
if She could get a woman for the house,
to begin the first of December.
She preached the subject after din
ner, when the children Were washing
the dishes. Mr.. Benton was surprised.
Why. Katie, l never dreamed you
had such a hard time to get along
And our little home in hired hands"
But, George, l will be mere at night,
when YOU are. and Sundays; the chill
dren both go to school all day"
OF course, she had her own way, she
always did. But conditionally, this
time. No night work of household
duties was to follow. The evenings
We're always devoted to reading and
music. That part of the home life
must not be disturbed. In the rOseate
light of anticipation sixty dollars adj
| I.fsA,a 1890 ,,a-l .-,l a.Da Ill,
of working wonders. She felt very
~light-hearted during the days of prepa-
ration.
\ middle-aged woman was found
who would take charge of the house
work and mending for five dollars a
week, the wash to go out as usual. To
accommodate the housekeeper, Edna
was to take her mothers room, and a
folding bed was bought for the parents
to occupy in the sitting-room.
We will get a good one, as | can
pay for it." said Mrs. Benton. proudly.
SO she visited an installment house
and paid five dollars down OF a thirty
five dollar bed. The rest was to be
paid in installments of ten dollars
monthly.
In the rush of change in the house
hold basis. there was no time to finish
the Henrietta, so a new dress was
bought and hired made. 1t was not
nearly SO nice as the Henrietta would
have been, dyed black, as she had in
tended doing. but she could not afford
a better one and it cost fifteen dollars.
Fred advanced two weeks salary to
help her get ready.
She enjoyed the change very much
for the first week, getting up to a pre-
pared breakfast and coming home to
find dinner ready. Cousin Fred's book
store was so far down town that She
had to start at half-past seven. and she
did not get home until a few minutes
after her husband-generallv n quar-
ter to six; SO dinner was at six now
Mr.. Benton good-naturedly reading
the evening paper during the half hour
of waiting.
On Sunday the housekeeper made
complaint. Fred do make more mend
in han | reckoned on" she said.
On investigation it proved Master
Fred left the house promptly at eight
o'clock, and returned just before his
father was due. His clothes were in a
plight. There was an excellent pair of
trousers in the closet, which had been
torn on the knee when comparatively
new. Mrs. Benton had intended to
make these over for Fred's school wear,
but there was no time now and she did
not know where to find a woman who
could do it at once, so his Sunday suit
must be worn Monday and she would
buy a new pair during her incoming.
BY another week she had secured a
sewing woman To come to the house to
do the winter sewing; material at hand
to be first utilized. At the end of the
third day the seamstress rebelled.
III never spend my time ripping up
old buds, even if l am paid for it." she
told the housekeeper. If Mrs. Ben
ton wants any sewing done she can let
me know"
This was the message she left, which
was accurately repeated.
An advertisement was then put in the
paper for a woman who was willing to
make over clothing. She seemed cap
able when she came, and planned out
the whole winters wardrobe in a most
fluent manner. Mrs. Benton gave her
| five dollars to buy Innings. thread and
similar articles, which was all she
would need to make the things do
| beautiful" she declared. She would
make the trousers for Fred, toe.
Mrs. Benton sighed when she saw
the poor lining purchased and some
silk, got to trim a dress for Edna, had
! to be utterly discarded, it was SO thin.
The work progressed very slowly, and
| Mrs. Benton began to feel nervous. The
line between her eyes came to stay.
Mr.. Benton saw it, and asked:
You do not lave hard work, do you,
| dear?"
She had not told him of the home
cares.
oh, no. indeed!' she answered, gay
". 1T Is like play, time to read even
The end of the first month came, and
| with it Christmas. She had not had
time to prepare any gifts, and so must
buy outright, and many, who usually
were remembered by her, had 10 be
neglected hat time.
After two weeks of waiting and hop
ing that something would be done, she
discharged the sewing woman whom
she was boarding. There had been