The Virginia enterprise., 1899-02-17

HOuT. unhappy Sohtus ndu, OI ueces-
sity, to study, among polite accomplish
ments, how to hold their plates and yet
eat from them; how to aid the nearest
ladies and at the same time keep posses
sion Of a cup and saucer"
Exit and Kits Sister,"
Kitty Riley and her sister Maggie
had been married on the same day
nearly two years ago. Both had mar
ried honest workingmen, with steady
positions, and the wages Of both hus
bands were about equal. Each had
been presented with a son and heir,
and both the sisters ought to have
been happy, but while Kit and her
husband were always in good spirits.
1ight-hearted, contented and pleased
with their lot, there seemed to be
shadow hanging over the household
that was ruled by Kits sister.
1t was not that any trouble or smis-
understanding existed between Mag
gle and her husband. Far from it.
They Loved each other dearly, and
were always happy in each others So
ciety, as true wives and husbands
ought to be, but there soon crept into
the young wife's eyes q careworn, wor-
rIed 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,
and it was only when Kits husband,
Tom White, began to ask if Maggie
was ailing that poor John directed his
attention to his wife's appearance.
Maggie" he said one evening in a
self-retroachful way, II have been
rather neglectful of you Of late, l am
afraid, and haven't been taking care
| Of your health and comfort You are
beginning to look pale and thin, and.
| now l notice it, the baby is not as
healthy looking as he ought to be.
You'll have to go out more. You don't
get enough of fresh air, and neither
does the child! Why don't you put
him in the baby carriage and take him
out for an hour or so in the mornings
and afternoons?"
II haven't time, JOHN replied Mag
| gle, in q 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"
"Well, 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"
II know she is, John. and I can't
! understand it." Here a tear crept
| into the little woman's eye and her lip
| trembled.) "It isn't that don't feel
well, but somehow or another l am al
| ways tired. I am trying to keep things
clean and straight all the time, and
yet I never seem to get ahead. God
knows I would often like to take baby
out for blow of fresh air. but I
| don't seem to be able to afford the
| timer
"Well, see here, now, Maggie" said
| her husband kindly. "Your health and
| the child's is of much more Importance
! to me than the housework. Don't do
so much cleaning! 1t isn't bit neces-
sary. I've noticed you scrubbing and
rubbing many time when couldn't
see the use of it. Take more healthy
exercise and do less hard work.
"No, John, that will never do" an
swered Maggie; 81 m quite willing to
have some restful exercise, but not at
! the expense of clean house. l like
my home to be scrupulously clean at
all tines
'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 housework. and you'll
| feel better and so will I! Now just get
baby and yourself ready. and well
vain oFcI " SOuI SlSteI S--lueFe Il
good girl
Maggie rose and dressed the baby
and handed him to papa while she
| prepared herself. In the midst of her
preparations she said: "Really. John,
1 don't see how l can afford the time
to so! That kitchen floor ought to be
! scrubbed tonight and was going to
clean up all the doorknobs and brass
work.
'Let the brasswork be-photo-
| graphed!' exclaimed John, somewhat
testify. you'll keep on rubbing and
scrubbing, and brushing and cleaning
until you drop into the grave! Here
after you'll have to go out every day
for at least two hours. l insist on it,
and I'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 after
noon! John Clarke sighed as he no.
ticed the different compilations of Kit
and. her sister, The one was ruddy
with health, the other pale, wan and
sickly looking.
"You poor dearr' exclaimed Kit.
commiseratingly, I'm sure she must
| be i'll. John. or she would not look so