The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-05-22
Their Overworked
Mother

Read that, Bess," said Jane, pass
ing household magazine to her sis
ter and pointing to an article entitled
The Overworked Mother"
DO you think that applies to oul
mother?' asked Bess, with a little
anxious frown, as she closed the mag
azine.
Yes, do. I think mother is over
worked"
But, Jane, she appears to like
managing our little fat"
Yes, she does appear to, but | be.
lieve she needs rest. We should do
all the work for while, at least
Let's go out into the kitchen now and
tell her to lie down or read and we'll
finish whatever she's doing"
What a reflection 1t is on us, Jane,
that half the time we don't even know
what's she doing"
Its just as the article says
daughters become entirely blind to
the uncomplaining drudgery OF their
mothers"
Mrs. Crandall was lifting a tin OF
beautifully Drowned cookies from the
oven when Jane and Bess entered the
kitchen.
Did you smell them?" she asked,
stopping midway in the verse of xii
larney" she was humming "As
was finishing the breakfast dishes |
happened to think how long 1t had
been since l made any raisin cookies
for you girls. / meant to surprise you
with them"
Mother, l think you do too much
for u.s." said Jane.
Nonsense! You know | like to
potter around"
Yes. we know" said Bess, in re-
sponse to look from her sister, but
Jane and | feel that you are over
worked"
And We intend,' said Jane, ito re-
lieve you of the burden of housekeep-
Ing. You're to have a much needed
rest"
Much needed nothing!" Mrs. Gran
dalps tone was scornful.
You overdo all the time. I'll fin
ish the baking Of these cookies"
How ridiculous you are, Jane! I'll
bake these cookies myself, Of course" "
mo, dear" Bess spoke firmly. You
must 60 into the living room and
rest"
Yes, every one should have leisure
for quiet contemplation" supplement.
ed Jane.
Mrs. Crandall, somewhat awed, left
the kitchen without further protest.
Half an hour later her daughters dis.
covered her deep in soapsuds in the
bathroom.
Il just thought this was q good
chance to clean these gas globes" she
explained. You know, Mrs. Dexter
never polishes them well when she
cleans on Fridays"
If they must be washed, I'll do It,"
remarked Jane, gently pushing her
mother aside. You know We want
you to rest"
Mrs. Crandall looked perplexed, but
she went to her own room. There
an hour afterward her daughters
found her darning.
I'VE have an engagement for
luncheon downtown, mother" began
Jane.
Yes, l know" interrupted Mrs.
Crandall, I'm glad you're going out"
There's nothing to do for dinner" !"
Jane proceeded. 1--WE got the roast,
the potatoes and the pudding in the
fireless cooker and we1l get home in
time to take them out and make the
salad, so you needn't go near the
kitchen" She spoke conclusively and
her mother sighed.
why don't you go out some
where?" asked Bess. TITS too bright
q day to stay indoors"
Il can't see to darn on dark day."
was the somewhat testy answer.
At five o'clock the girls came home
and found their mother in the kitchen
canning preserves.
why, what are you doing now"
asked Bess.
"Well, | thought the peaches | put
up last month weren't rich enough, SO
I've stewed them over again with a
little more sugar"
"Oh, mother!" exclaimed her daugh-
ters.
Nov, my dears," Mrs. Crandall
laughed, don't reproach me for en-
joying myself Don't worry about my
belonging to the class of overworked
mothers"
Jane and Bess exchanged startled
glances.
"Yes, l read that article this after
noon, girls, and 1t was a relief to my
mind to find out what had caused this
sudden anxiety on your part, for
really was afraid that both of you
were getting little-well, queer,
with all that talk about quiet contem-
plation. Why, l can think better