The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-05-25

busy, father. You know 1 havo all
the housework to do alone"
The swift look of penetration and
sadness that her father gave her
startled her. Come here, little
girl. Sit on my knee once more, and
let's have one of our old-time con-
fabs." Then with his arm about her
waist I'm the old. loving way. he be-
gan: Been out with Burton much
lately?"
No, father, he seems to be too
busy. and 1 don't know as I mind that
as I'm generally too tired"
why weren't you at the Engi-
neers' banquet? You went last year,
and Burton has never missed it be-
fore, I've been told"
IL was too dead tired. I was right
in the midst of housekeeping week,
and"
Didn't you know when the ban
quet was going to be?"
"Yes. but 1 had to take the woman
then or 1 couldn't get her until the
very last OF May"
would it have hurt the house to
go a month longer?"
"No, but father, didn't want peo-
pie saying"
my dear, do you care more about
people than you do about Burton?"
But the work."
"Do you care more about work
than you do about Burton? My dar-
ling, listen to a few words of wisdom
from your wise old father. Burton
didn't marry you because he wanted
q housekeeper; he married you be-
cause he wanted a companion, a COM
rade. Doubtless he'd get some one
to do the work if he could"
Hes always wanted to get girl
for me, but it seems an extravaganza
when his salary's so low and 1 am
perfectly able to do the work"
But you make him pay just the
same and something worth infinitely
more to him than money. Is it
fair?"
"Do you think we ought to have a
girl?"
Not necessarily. Have you ever
studied the question of wise neg
lect?'"
But, father, just think what
everyone would say, if"
"Do you really love your husband?
Or is pride more to you than love?
Let me whisper a secret in your ear.
What people say should never come
between two people who love each
other. Sacrifice your pride-just a
little of ito your husbands happi-
ness"
Genevieve was silent. And after
a moment her father went on, very
gravely this time.
my dear, I have seen many mar
rlages spoiled by this fetish of house
work. A man always prefers his
wife's company to a spotless house.
Just think about that seriously, dear
child"
Genevieve did think about it. His
words sank deep into her heart, until
finally she decided to act upon them.
She could not make a great change
at once, out little by little she learned
to eliminate the unnecessary thing.
a simpler breakfast, she found, en-
abled her to appear at the table with
an Unfinished face and an unruffled
Burton never seemed
to miss his more elaborate meals,
though he frightened perceptibly un-
der her more gracious manner.
She put away useless bric-a-brac, so
there was less busting to do. She
gave up her plan of always having
cake and cookies on hand, and fire.
quently substituted simpler deserts
for the customary pies and intricate
puddings. She did less sewing; wore
clothes and had less ironing;
used the sweeper instead OF the
broom occasionally; let the windows
go unwashed for more than a week
was amazed to find
how well the home looked in spite of
her neglect.
She found herself sitting down at
the piano now and then, and taking
up the old song. She even ventured
to sing for Burton one Sunday after
noon and was almost shocked at the
magnitude of the pleasure he evlnced.
She stayed awake evenings, and once
suggested a call upon nearby friend
that almost resulted in expression of
gratitude from her bewildered hus-
band.
As, little by little. the old com
partnership was resumed, Genevieve
awoke to the enormity of the wrong
she had done both her husband and
herself. This was life; this was
growth. Now they were really be-
coming one. as they had once
dreamed of in their courtship days.
Compared with this what was