The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-05-08
The Next Best Thing.

Aline Plummer had risen with all
the aches and pains listed in advertise
ments Of patent mediclnes-or so It
seemed to her,-for, in addition to her
regular duties, she had been saving
what wood she had used for the last
three days.
oh. dear, she thought. can I ever
get through this day? Four hired men
to feed, a cheese to put in press. those
berries to can. and all the regular work
besldes!" There was a momentary ST.
lence. while she flew about the kitchen,
and then, as her shoulder gave an ex-
ira twinge. her thoughts were again
put into words. "rll never saw or
split another stick Of wood II isn't
woman's work, and Ezekiel has no
right to expect IL Of me-"
While Aine sputtered. and that was
all her scolding usually amounted to-
she was busy getting breakfast, "a
task made more difhcult because she
must constantly replenish the fire from
basket Of chips which stood near the
stove. The coffee was made, the pota-
toes fried a delicious brown, and the
corn bread hot from the oven when
Ezekiel came in with two pals OF foam
ing milk. He washed himself at the
long sink in the pump-room, then en-
tered the kitchen, rubbing and glow
ing, ready to do ample justice to the
appetizing breakfast set before him.
Aline was as silent as craven
image, but her husband did not observe
It. He ate steadily and heartily. and
finally pushed back his chair with a
satisfied "tsereF' exclamation, and
reached for his hat
Ezekiel" said Aline. In sharp, de-
cisive tones, Il have no wood"
We'll. you must pick up something,
today. I'm of for the hay field"
I've picked up something for so
many days that there is nothing left.
I've sawed and split wood until my
shoulder is so lame / can hardly move
my arm. I shall not do it any more.
Cant you use chips? I'll try to
split up some wood for you tonight"
"Chipsl' The tone was that Of a
woman who has received the last
straw. Ezekiel Plummer. look out in
that wood yardl Can you see a chip
there the size Of a ffty-cent piece?"
well, I can't stop now. Aline The
hay is waiting"
What shall I get dinner with?'
Il don't know; DO the next best
thingl" and Ezekiel took a hasty de-
parture. He had faith ia his wife's re-
sources. His dinner had always been
ready on time, and he saw no reason
why he should worry about it today.
Aline sat down utterly discouraged.
Her shoulder ached furiously, and for
a moment it seemed that life was not
worth living. She and 'Zexiel had been
married i've years. They had worked
hard, and now owned a nice little
farm, and were free from debt But.
looking back over the years OF her
married life. she could see that much
more Of Zekiel's work had been trans
ferred 70 her than she ought by right
to do. She blamed herself. She had
begun to do these things. not because
be asked her to. but because she had
liked to help him. and after 3 time.
they had both seemed to forget that
Il was his work, not hers. which he
now required OF her"
There viii be a change from this
day. she said. with sudden determi-
nation. Il have been wrong. and so
has 'zekiel; / have learned my lesson.
and he must now learn his"
Full Of this new idea. Aline did all
her work that could be done without
a FIRE. then combed her hair prettiiy.
ard put on a becoming gown Of blue
lawn.
1T seems odd to be doing this in the
morning" she said, as she fastened a
rosebud in her hair. but st is pleas
ant Taking her sewing she found a
shady place on the veranda. and there
she sat when Zekiel came home to din-
ner. with bis four hired men. Her
heart beat faster. as she saw them
coming and pink color rose to her