The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-16

uOW1 Suits pelOfe SuHfiSe lie WAS sur
prised to find the fire made, the wash
boiler on and all the tubs in formidable
array. As he went toward the barn he
saw on the line in the back yard sheets,
tablecloths, ~pillowcases and napkins 1ut-
tering in the mild spring breeze.
AT breakfast, which was ready at half
past 4, Hepsey said timidly, Aunt,
would you like to hev me to wash out
that sheet todayT'
mo" said her aunt, 81 got up at 2 and
washed everything from the chest that
he'd a spot in it. Only next time hev a
care that there amt no spotted ones put
away"
That was the beginning Of Mrs. Plum
mer's new habit Every few weeks she
rose early and, taking the clean linen,
washed 1t over again. The deep frown
between her eyes was intensified, and the
hard lines about her mouth became like
burrows.
1t was now scrub, scrub from morning
to night, until Hepsey's arms ached, and
nothing but the fact that the girl was de-
pendent upon her aunt kept her patient
under the new rules which were con-
stantly made.
One hot summer day Mrs. Plummer
said: s'Them horse blankets must be
washed today. It's been kinder neglect
ed of late"
"But, aunt,v expostulated Hepsey, ''the
horses don't wear EN- now in this boiling
weather. They are just put ava in the
carriage house."
II know it, but the dust gathers on
'em," said her aunt, fixing her eyes as If
looking at something in the distance, with
the tense expression they now wore.
Il tell you ! won't hev them blankets
washed again this summer 1t just
wears EN- out" exclaimed Mr.. Plummer,
and there amt no use in scrubbin and
washin ones life away"
II don't keep the house half a ways
decent replied his wife, bursting into
tears. "I'm ashamed of myself, but most
Of the clcanin falls on me, for Hepsey's
that slack"
Il wonder that she lives" muttered
Jake SO that nc one but Hepsey heard
him.
When the men went out to the barn
the next morning, all the blankets were
hanging on the line, for Mrs. Plummer
always carried her point, and she had
been to the barn before dawn, found the
blankets and washed them.
The sun rose red and fiery that morn
ing, and not a breath Of air was stirring.
The last acre of grass was to be cut down
that day, and the men set off early for
the fields.
About IL o'clock Jake was startled by
the sudden appearance of Hepsey in the
bayfield,, her face looking white and
scared.
anb Tato - che or;ad ca;1inr b;S arr
"go for a doctorl Aunt went up to scrub
ment she came in she fell in the upper
hall in a dead faint. You call uncle,
while I run back"
Jake gave the alarm, and while he rode
for a doctor Plumner lifted his wife,
with the help of Hepsey, and laid her on
the bed. The scrubbing brush was still
clutched firmly in her hand. They bathed
her head and her poor, rough hands and
succeeded in restoring her to conscious
ness, at least partially, before the arrival
of the physician. When he came, he
said:
II fear it is a sunstroke or apopiexy,
and she must be kept very quiet Has
she been out in the sun all day"
"She was on the roof of the south piaz-
"a, sir" said Hepsey, "and WI she had
finished scrubbing it she climbed back
through the hall, but fell on the hall floor
in a kind Of a faint"
"Out on a tin roof such a day as thisp'
exclaimed the doctor. 1T is a pure case
of sunstroke."
He left remedies and ave directions
that she should be kept quiet and in q
dark room. Poor. frightened Hepsey pre-
pared the dinner as best she could, and
after the men returned to the bayfield, she
kept watch over her aunt, who slept most
all the time.
That night about / o'clock Mrs. Plum
mer reused and asked her husband to call
Hepsey. When she came, her aunt said:
Il guess III clean the roQf to the south
porch, and there is a spot On the window
sill in the upper hall. must git up and
rub it off"
"Oh, no, aunt, I'll do it. You amt well
enough" said Hepsey.
Il will do it myself said the sick wo-
man, rising up in bed.
Fearing to cross her, the farmer and
Hepsey were silent.
cit the brush and some water, and be
spry now. Hepsey, she said, with some OF
her old decision.
Alecnallcdlly the Slfi uDtyeu LII q
ing a candle went to the kitchen and re-
turned with the desired articles. As her
aunt saw the brush her face lighted up
with a look of pleased recognition.
Mrs. p, don't git up. Jest let Hepsey
fix it all right"
mo, no. Help me on to my feet" she
said to her husband. So. leaning on his
strong arm, she managed to go into the
hall. Hepsey went before them with can
die, brush and pan.
AS the light OF. the candle fell upon
the spot on the window sill she gave a
faint cry OF horror and, reaching for
the brush, fell back into her husbands
gasping for breath. They carried
her To- her room, and Jake was sent for
the doctor, but as the physicians step
was heard she breathed her last, q victim
to neatiess.
Years after, when Hepsey and Jake
a little home of their own, over which
she presided as nicely as any housekeep-
er in the district, Jake would frequently
"Hey a care, Hepsey. Don't git too
neat and make m idol Of that there
scrubbin brush"
And she would pleasantly retort:
There amt no danger that LII pc too
lseat. with four tearing boys to look att