Year: 1873

at work we went, and ere long the house


looked quite presentable, and we were


thankful that nothing worse than bad
colds and sore limbs followed our NOV


ing.


George had provided a score of milk


pans, and when the milk was strained


away, | prided myself on their bright


looks; and began to see in prospect the
golden balls of butter slowed away in


jars for winter use. 1t was not long ere
| found it was no child's play to lift the


heavy pans up and down from the


shelves, and it was something could not


put off.


In the city the water was brought into


my kitchen sink but now | had to bring


it some distance in a large wooden bucket
We had pig, and as | had no girl, |


must feed it; the barn was some rods


from the house. When strawberries came,
for they did come at last, somehow had
lost part OF my former relish for them
Cream had ceased to be luxury. | had


too much of the article, and as the straw


berry beds were too wet in the morning
for me to gather the luscious fruit, | found
1t no pleasant task when the sun was


beating on my defenseless head. The
children got dirty and ragged and hungry
tco SOl1CllIlICS, III bllt Dlcdu Ollcu gave


cut, and there was DO baker or butcher
to run to. Of course we tried to keep
everything in the house | tried to be a


model housekeeper if ever woman did,


but it was hard work when my limbs


were SO tired that | longed to lie down
| anywhere, to have the sleepy children to
battle and put to bed. 1t was hard work


to remember and set my bread in time to
rise for baking next day. | almost wore


myself out fixing up the yard and garden,


and then my little darlings spoiled it, so
| had no pleasure in it.


To add to my distress the neighbors


were always singing Mrs. Butterworth's s


praises in my weary ears. ''She was such
a good housekeeper. Such an excellent


manager" all of which I-could not deny,
having had ample chance to test her
housekeeping qualities. George snubbed


our city friends who were dying to visit


us. The few who did come almost set nae


crazy. | had now succeeded in getting a


girl, but like Mrs. Butterworth's She


was always grumbling when company
came.


| had no idea that it was so hard a mat
ter to keep everything up in the country.
The washings were no small item and |
found some difference between doing the
washings in ones own house, or having
them done at laundry; and oh, the piles
Of dishes, pans and jars! Jars that must
be washed and scalded and after all, my


butter lacked the sweetness of Mrs. But
terworth's, and it took so long to bring it.


No matter how tired was, if attempted


to hasten the matter by making the cream
little warmer, the butter was white and
frothy. | found it anything but pleasant
a rAraiva visitors fhnnrh + aotyaI Mrc
ButterwOrth to bring her children and
stay a week with me-


She came, but did not keep my break
| fast waiting, but rose early, and having
dressed the children, came down when the
first bell rang. How much she assisted
me. How kind she was. And one day
when / was very tired, she came in and
taking my work from my weary fingers,


in a very short time performed the much
! dreaded task.


How grateful | felt! And then | told


her all; how selfish | had been, and how


disguised | had become with myself.
Il know all about it, dear" said she.


Il have been a country hOusekeeper, and
know, too, that in spite Of sun and
| shade, cool breezes and sweet flowers, the
! oyerworked housewives arms will ache,
and though she may appreciate all the
| beautiful surroundings ana 1reSh garden
| luxuries, she cannot forget or throw Oft
| the load Of WEAKNESS that almost cOntin-


ually oppresses her. You city folks look
| only at the bright side of farmers life,
| for [ admit it possesses a very bright and
sunny side; but it takes toll and care to
make a country home habitable.'
| How humble | felt when she came and
! put her arms around me and talked thus.
| We sat there long, my true friend and |, she


SO noble and kindly in her manner, | so
selfabased As | looked over the past
/ and saw how selfish | had been, could


do nothing by way of recompense but
make clean breast of the matter. Thus


was the bond strengthened between US


and instead of a week, as | had previous
| ly arranged, kept my kind friend with


me over four; and oh, how much she


taught me! How much JOY and peace
! she brought to our household; and now
| that | have seen both sides of a country
! life, | hope that | am better fitted to take
up the many cares that Deset my path


and perform them faithfully and earnest
! lv.- Western Rurdl