Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-02-13

est Workingmen, with steady positions
and the wages of both husbands were
about equal. Each had been presented
with a son and heir, and both the siS-
! tiers ought to have been happy, bus
while Kit and her husband were al"
ways in good spirits, Gght-hearted, con-
tented and pleased with their lot, there
seemed to be a shadow hanging over
the household that was ruled by Kite
sister,
1t was not that any trouble or mis-
understanding existed between Maggie
and her husband Far from it. They
loved each other dearly, and were ale
ways happy in each others society. as
true wives and husbands ought to be,
but there soon crept into the young
wifes eyes a careworn, worried look
that betokened secret sorrow of some
kind Between care for her baby and
her household duties her time was fully
occupied-indeed. it was noticed that
she did not take her infant out for an
airing anything like as often as did her
sister Kit AT first her husband, John
Clarke, was too busy TO notice any
change in his wife, ana il was on =
when Kits husband, Tom White. be-
gan to ask if Maggie was ailing that
poor John directed his attention. 10 his
wifes appearance.
Maggie" he said one evening in q
self reproachful way. Il have been
rather neglectful OF you of late. am
afraid, and haven't been taking care
of your health and comfort You are
beginning to look pale and thin, and,
now | notice it. the baby Is not as
healthy looking rs he ought 10 be-
You'll have to go out more. Yon don't
get enough of fresh air, anu NJ Their
does the child! Why don't you pu him
in the baby carriage and take hiIn out
for an hour or so in the mornings and
afternoons?"
81 haven't time, john replied Mag
gle in a sad tone of voice. "There is
so much to be done in the house You
know. and between that and the baby
l don't have minute to spare
''Wel, your sister Kit has just the
same to contend with. She Keeps her
house clean and attends to little Tom
my, and yet she finds time to take q
run in the park every day with the
boy and she is as blooming and fresh
in appearance as a new blown rose"
81 know she is, John, and / can't
understand it, (Here a tear crept into,
the little wOman's eye and her lip trem-
bled) 1T isn't that | don't feel well,
but somehow or another l am always
tired / am trying to keep things clean
and straight all the time, and yet /
never seem to get ahead. God knows
would often like to take baby out for
blow of fresh air. but l don't seem to.
be able to afford the time!"
''Well. see here, now, Maggie" said
her husband kindly. Your health and
the childs is of much more Importance
to me than the house work. Don't do
so much cleaning! 1t isn't bit neces-
sary. I've noticed you scrubbing and
rubbing many a time when | couldn't
see the use of it. Take more healthy
exercise and do less hard work.
mo, John, that will never do" an
swered Maggie; I'm quite willing to
have some restful exercise, but not az
the expense of a clean house. like
my home to be scrupulously clean al all
times"
"Well, it is clean; I'll give you credit
for that" said her husband quickly,
"but then you are too particular. Give
as much care to yourself and the baby
as you do to the Homework, and you'U
feel better and so will |! Now just set
baby and yourself ready, and wen
walk over to your sister's-there's g.
good girl"
Maggie rose and dressed the baby and
handed him to papa while she prepared
herself In the midst of her prepare
tions she said: Really, John, | don't
see how l can afford the time to gog
That kitchen floor ought to be scrubbed
tonight and l was going to clean up
all the door knobs and brasswork."
"Let the brasswork be-photograph-
ed" exclaimed John, somewhat testify.
you'll keep on rubbing and scrubDing,
and brushing and cleaning until you
drop into the grave! Hereafter YOU II
have to go out every day for at least
two hours. / insist on it, and L m going
to ask Kit to come over and take you
with her regularly from this day"
AT Kits house they naturally met
with a cordial reception from Tom and
his wife. The house was as trim and
neat and straight as busy hands could
make it, but Kit and the baby had
been out in the park all the afternoong
John Clarke sighed as he noticed the
different compilations of Kit and her
sister. The one was ruddy with health,
the other pale wan and sickly looking.
''You poor dear! exclaimed Kit, com
miseratingly, SIN sure she must be Ill,
John, or she would not look so tired
and weary"
'T am not i'll, Kit-indeed 1 am not,
and you know never was lazy, but
somehow | don't seem to keep up with
my work, and yet you get ahead of
yours always. l was always as strong
as you were, and naturally as quick,
= L.