Morris tribune., 1915-07-16

81 never thought O. that" replied
Amelia. II suppose they can't do two
things at once''
'I've sometimes thought that in a
family where there are several Of 'em
one might be spared. I'd be willing to
pay good wages"
do you mean elderly women or
young ones?"
II was referring to families where
there was a mother and several daugh-
tiers. They wouldn't need all the girls"
''It wouldn't be right for a girl to
come in and do the homework for
young man. People would talk"
Il suppose they would. Reckon there's
no way for me except to get married,
and don't know any girl who would
have me-"
Shall pour you another cup of cot
fee, Mr.. Hatfeld?"
Half cupful, please. One lump.
That's right. Thank you
Mother always said.' he continued.
after pause. that if she died be-
fore me I'd have to get a wife to
come in and do the cooking and house
work. And SO 1 would if | knew any
girl who would ill the bill of wife and
housekeeper. But I don't. Besides,
the girls are all going to college now
adays, and when they come back they
don't aspire to the Kitchen. They'd
rather address a meeting or some
thing like that. l don't blame 'em.
Farm works pretty hard.
Most work is hard, reckon. I no.
tice country people are crazy to get
to the cities. but maybe city life is
pretty hard too. l know several girls
who have left home for city life and
they're all having a mighty hard time
Of it. Seems to me that though we
country people have to get up early
mornings we have lots of advantages.
We breathe the fresh air of the coun-
try and are not tied up to Offices and
stores and factories, with a master
over us. like children in school, We
work longer hours in some cases, but
we're not cogwheels in a machine.
AS for me, give me the free life of the
country"
When Josh finished his breakfast he
thanked Amelia for what she had done
for him.
IF you're going to take the milk
this morning you'd better go right
off," she said. ''I'll remove the break
fast Dishes
You needn't do that. But you're
right about my getting off. Much
obliged. So long"
When Josh returned from his morn
ing work at noon he was astonished
to see everything spick and span.
The breakfast dishes were washed.
kitchen utensils had been polished and
the house had been swept Josh set
about getting his dinner.
with all this done for me-" he said
| to himself, Il should feel inspired to
| go at this job of getting dinner with
| light heart. But | don't. / don't
feel any more competent to get my
dinner than 1 did to get my breakfast. ="
He stumbled about the kitchen as
usual. at last putting on the table some
poorly cooked meat and vegetables, the
! only successful dish in the lot being
! boiled potatoes. But it was not only
| the meal that troubled him; he missed
the CHEEKY girl who had sat opposite
| him at breakfast, she who had nC
aspirations to work in store, an Of
| fee or a schoolroom, but was content
with the duties of a country girl. Why
| did the coffee he poured himself TASTE
| SO inferior to that poured by Ame4is
| Clark? What was the difference il
| the room at dinner from that of break
fast time? Josh knew very we'll wha
| 1t was-the absence of that which hat
filed the natural desire Of the heart
compa nionship.
That night Josh sat down to COLI
supper and made a resolution that i
should be the last meal he would taxi
alone. After supper-it occupied sever
minutes by the clock-he threw thu
dishes, unwashed, into the pantry AM
soon after set out for Farmer Clark
He found Clark in the barn and asket
him how his horses were getting on
mentioning that be would carry tn
milk till they got well. Then he aske'
if he would find the family at the hous
and, being assured that he would. re
paired thither.
Whether Mrs Clark suspected some
thing or not, she soon withdrew, tax
ing with her the children. Then JOSH
without any beating about the bust
began proposal to Amelia. 1t wa
very practical, being entirely devoid .
that sentiment which is expected i
all engagements.
Amelia" he said. Il came here t
say that since you got that breakfas
for me this morning no meal that 20
don't cook will ever taste good to m
again."
why, Mr.. Hatfield. how flattel
ing"
And I've resolved that I'll eat n
more meals at home unless you coo
'em."
| HAro Won oOinp fO Sfarvo9"