Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-02-24


going soul, and his wife-they had
been married about two years-was as
bright and pleasant little body as
one would wish to know. thought
I'd never seen happier or more con.
tended young couple.
Our two families soon grew init.
mate; for Joseph and Tom had known
each other when they were at school,
and Selina's mother was second cousin
to my Aunt Whites husband ; so there
seemed to be sort Of family relation
ship between us.
Well, it happened that I went to
stay a couple of weeks with Cousin
Betsey, who was having trying time
with her sick children; and when I
came back, Selma was the first to call
to see me.
thought she looked changed some
how-restless and dissatisfied, it might
be--and when l asked how she and
Tom were getting along with their
spring work, she answered pretty
shortly.
By-and-by she says:
"Mrs. Bigger, did you ever see O
book-a new publication-called the
'Woman's Model Homer"
had heard of it. Betsey had told
me that woman agent had been
around her neighborhood, selling the
book, and that when she had insisted
upon Betseys husband buying o copy,
saying that with its help their home
could be made deal nicer and more
genteel looking, he had replied that in
his opinion a model homo was one
where meddlesome strangers and
trashy books ought not to be admit
ted--on which she called him "soul-
less clod," aud gone off with an air.
Trashy books, indeed!" said Se-
lima. "Why. it's one of the most de-
lightful as well as valuable books that
a family can possess. 1t teaches how
to make home beautiful and attrac-
tive; how to economize in cooking
and household matters; and even how
to make old dresses look as good as
new. By following its instructions
the plainest home can be made pleas
ant and attractive-'a model home in
fact"
"Aud have you followed the instruc-
tions?" asked.
Sin some respects, yes; but need
help. A woman can't do everything
with her own weak hands"
''Where's Tom? 1 should think he
would help you"
Selma heaved deep sigh.
sfThat's the trouble" she said. "He
could help me if he would, but he
don't appreciate my efforts, and has so
little taste for the beautiful. He says
he's quite satisfied with our home as
it is, and calls all the pretty little
knick-knacks that have put about
the house trash, and he's really go
dreadfully lazy!"
Lazy? Why, 1 always thought him
so Industrious and attentive to things.
He keeps the place in such nice
order"
"But when his work is over in the
evenings" says Selma. che could
easily help me if he would. Instead
of doing SO, he prefers to sit on the
porch in his shirt-sleeves, reading
books and papers---the picture of lazi-
ness. And he pretends not to see me
going about with hammer and nails
and hoe aud rake, trying to improve
things and make his home attractive
and pleasant for him. And he is SO
obstinate Now, for one thing, he
insists upon having the pig-p in
sight OF the kitchen window, that he
may see that the pigs are safe; and
he's got horrid barrel under the side
spout---you can see it from the road---
to catch rain water in."
"Well, didn't know exactly what
to say, but to satisfy myself about the
real state OF things, 1 went over next
day to the Mechums.
found Selma in the front garden,
with peint brush in her hand, and
Al, ssrts Of things )yins sreand,