Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-06-04

Il VIII 90 WDat can, Sdlu mdlN
in a weary voice. What | am
obliged to do is beyond my
strength. The three meals come
near together, washing and ironing
must be done, baby shall not be
neglected, and, Of course. must
kpep the clothes all mended.'
Zone thing at a time is the way
to think of your duties. Pick up
all the comfort you can as you go
along. I have made mp my mind to
do so in the tuture.'
so see, by yonr thinking OF
having an extra hand
Yes, l feel that l must take
care of my health tor your sake
and the children's.'
'CertainIyr Nary answered in a
sarcastic tone. 'hOw thoughtful
you are for usp
John made no further comment,
but inwardly wished that prayer
meetings did Nary the good the
once had done, and wondered why
bis wife was so changed.
Gam going with Squire TOwne
TO see a new reaper; he says he
hardly wants to buy without my
opinion.' This was next day,
John left his wife ironing with
the half sick baby sitting at the
table in the company ofan army OF
flies, and in spite of the home
scene, enjoyed his ride along the
pleasant shaded road, will pleased
to be seen in company with thr
big man of the town. At supper
time he came home with the new
reaper behind one wagon.
BY taking two we made hand
some saving, and, as ! intended
to buy one, might as we'll take 1t
nOw,' he remarked. by way of ex-
PLANTATION. It will save time and
strength, and pay for itself in a
year,
Mary made no comment, but set
her teeth tightly together when
she remembered that she had
asked in vain for something to
make her work easier. A sewing
machine haG been pronounced
hurtfuI. Better have fewer changes
of clothing than run a machine,
John had decided when the subject
vas discussed. a clothes.wringer
would be constantly getting out of
order. To bring water into the
house would be Just to spoil the
water. Mother would never have a
pump in her day
MY mother used to say men are
selfish. and begin TO think she
was right Mary muttered, as she
went to the kitchen for the plate OF
hot biscuits John was so fond of
for bis tea.
Her husbands appetite was good
but from fatigue aud Overheating
herself, Mary could not eat. His
ride AMI the society OF the general
squire had acted like tonic, but
there was no tonic IN the air of
hot kitchen.
"a commonplace lite,' she said;
and she sighed, as she cleared
away the dishes. while John tilted
back IN his armchair on the cool,
draughty porch and talked over
things with mel ghbOr Jones.
why don't you buv Widder
Patch's cranberry meddeIP asked
Mr.. Jones. ut is going dirt cheap
and you can afford it, The sum
was named-fgures that astonish-
ed Maryland she was more sur
prised when she heard her husband
say.
i haye half mind to buy 1t.
I've had an old bill in and to tell
the truth, affairs in the money
market are so sqrally. | don't
know Just where to salt it down.
No tears came to Mary's tired
ewes but her heart went out in one
mighty sob as she stood, dlshpan
in hand, before the dlsOrdered
table, and thought how cheaply
she had sold herself; really for her
board and two dollars week, to
a man who promised to love and
cherish her until death.
The beautiful piano she had
brought to the farm bad never
been opened, but looked like a
gloomy casket wherein was buried
all the poetry OF her life. The
closed parlor had long since as
snmed the grlmness AMI chez
, Iessness of country pdrlOrs, OF
p which in her girlhood days she bat
, made such fun. John was rich
man, aud in spite of hl' marriage