Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-06-03
didn't know enough 70 take care Of her

didn't know enough 10 take care OF her
W children WASH. titrto be a mother,
SO his wife adminif cred catnip tea and
broiled steak at lie same time and
washed dishes between the tantrums of
the Hartman son andsheir. Neither did
they keep q maid. ASmaid was so apt
to let the dust accumulate on chairs and
mantels, Mr.. Hartman said, and if there
was one thing he disliked more than
another it was dust. His wife was the
most thorough sweeper and buster he
had ever come across and it hurt him
to the quick to think of entrusting such
important duties to another.
Rose Hartman was too thoroughly
conscientious to do anything in a half
hearted manner and it wasn't long I'M
til she had developed into a model
housekeeper. Mr.. Hartman admitted
that and was very proud of her. The
easel stood untouched in the corner in
those days, the piano was never opened
unless they had company and Roses
sweet voice was hushed except when
grooming lullabies to the baby. She
was very pale and thin, too, but Mr..
Hartman never seemed to notice that.
But then he spent a good many even
ings away from home and perhaps he
had no time to give heed. to such trivial
things.
On those evenings when he went ont
calling he generally came in about 10
O'Clock. But one evening it was almost
IL when he turned the key in the lock
and walked into their little sitting
room. His wife was still up, for the
baby had been ailing and fretful and all
the mothers art had been powerless to
soothe the little fellow. Mr.. Hartman
heard the low, fitful crying before the
door was fairly opened, but it did no
disturb him that night. A happy, self
satisfied smile played round his lips
and he sat down opposite his wife and
communed with himself for several
minutes in contented Silence. The baby
fell asleep at last. The cessation of the
mournful cries brought Mr.. Hartman tc
himself.
Poor little fellow" he said. careless.
ly. rs he sick?"
YES" said his wife, hes been sicl
all day"
Mr.. Hartman stretched his long leg!
and yawned.
Rose he said, I've been around t.
the Winstons' tonight"
Mrs. Hartman WINGED as her toll
stained hand tremblingly clasped tina
of the sleeping child.
II don't know whether you ever no
ticed or not" he went on, but Mrs
Winston has a glorious voice. She san.
some selections from Martha In
going round again Thursday night an
we're going to practice some duets to
gether. Why is it you never sing an,
more Rosey? Other women don't be
gin to %retrogade as soon as they get
husband. l never thought you would
1 tell you this thing of a.woman forget
ting everything she ever knew, just be
cause she's married, is all a mistake
Now, that music at .Winston's to-nigh
was an inspiration. 1t made me fee
like a different Shall | carry tn
young man upstairs for you?"
mo, thank YOU" said Mrs. Hartman
and. her voice was very calm and low.
He whistled a. few bars from MAR
tina. and went to bed. His wife bowe
low over the little form in her lar
When she drew her cold hand sacros
(, the boys forehead, it shattereds.a gle
stbule of something, that glisteneds an
: sparkled like a1.siamendsssBupa. mc
mmt1ater another jewel. and the
another, took the place Of the one tn:
had been brushed away. ~