Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-02-08
kit AID KRIS Sister -

| nearly two years ago. Both had mar
rled honest Workingmen, with steady
positions and the wages of both hus-
bands were about equal Each had
| Deen presented with q son and heir,
and both the sisters ought to have
been happy, but while Kit and her
husband were always in good spirits.
lght-hearted, cOntented and pleased
with their lot, there seemed to be q
shadow hanging over the household
that was ruled by Kits sister.
1t was not that any trouble or mis-
understanding existed between Mag
gle and her husband Far from it.
Ihey 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 a careworn, wor-
rled 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
J 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-reproachful way, II have been
rather neglectful Of you Of late, I 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 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?'
Il haven't time, john" replied Mag
gle, in sad tone of voice There is
SO much to be done in the house. you
know, and between that and the baby
[ don't have q 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 a
run in the park every day with the
boy, and she is as blooming and fresh
in appearance as q new-bloWn rose
Il know she is. John, and l can't
| understand it" Here a tear crept
into the little woman's eye and her lip
| trembled.) SIT isn't that l don't feel
we'll, but somehow or another am al
ways tired. I 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 a blow Of fresh air, but I
don't seem to be able to afford the
/ time!
''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
rubin many a 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; I'm quite willing to
have some reStful exercise, but not at
the expense of a clean house | like
my home to be scrupulously clean at
all tines
''Well, it is clean; III 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 l! Now just get
baby and yourself ready, and We'll
walk over to your sisters-theres a
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,
[ don't see how can afford the time
to go! That kitchen floor ought to be
scrubbed tonight and 1 was going to
clean up all the doorknobs and brass
work"
Let the brasswork be-photo-
SIdDu0u. JOu1, SOUleWudL
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 rudy
with health. the other pale, wan and
sickly looking.
''You poor dear!' exclaimed Kit,
commiseratingly, I'm sure she must
be i'll, John, or she would not look so
tired and weary"
81 am not i'll Kit-indpod T am not