Year: 1875

1t was Thursday morning, hot, sultry
July day. Mr.. Doan arose from the
breakfast table, remarking TO his wife
Don't keep up hot FIRE all day to-day
1t is going to be ntoerable F.; you can get
along if you don't cook hot supper"


She did not reply, for she was thinking
Of the ironing that lay folded and waiting
for her in the closet. She watched him
60 down the street, and then turned to
her duties with sigh, wondering if there
would ever be any resting place for her.
There stood the breakfast table to be
cleared away and she went bravely to
work. Then came baby to be cared for,
the chamber work to do, the lamps to
clean, sweeping and clearing out and the
many little things that came between,
that make SO many steps, which only a
woman knows anything about. Baby was
fretful and had to be rocked and coaxed
into quiet BY the time Kate got her
ironing board it was ten o'clock. She
knew tha, she must do all she could that
day, for there was moppiDg, baking, and
mcnding, besides some garments to finish
before Sunday. Kate was frail little
woman, and not able to do over half what
she did. A loud cry from the yard star.
tied her, and she found little Willie had
fallen from the fence and hurt him severe.
ly. A half hour was spent in paefying
him, and during this time, baby had
grown restless, aad now was CRYING in
good earnest. Kate took her up, sat pa.
tiently down and sung her to sleep. The
clock struck eleven. II must do those shirts
now" she thought cor they will be spoil
ed" There were four, and work as best
she might, it took her an hour to do
them, and there stood the whole week 's
washing to be ironed


Willie was hungry, and Kate knew
from her own feelings that it was best to
get dinner. Mr. Doan did not want
bread every meal, but required rolls bis.
cults, or griddle cakes, apd it SO happen
ed that Kate just now was out OF bread
He took lunch at noon at his place OF
business, as it was quite distance to
walk but she had TO eat, so did Willie,
and, Of course, she had to cook dinner.
After it was cleared away, she managed
to get the clothes nearly all ironed but
the h eat was TERRIBLE her feet ached,
aud head ached She was tired and nerv.
Gus. Baby and Willie took great deal
Of time, and made more steps than many
ladies, who read this, take in week
and Kate was lady born and bred


Her health had always been delicate.
She had never been allowed to work much
10 her girlhood's home. 1t was a pleas.
ant, happy home, too. that she left, to
share the lot Of Edward Doan He was
poor, but ambitious and industrious. and
told her parents "he could work for her,
and she should never want for anything"
Mrs. Leland strongly opposed her mar
riage. My poor little girl" she said,
you know not what you are doing; you
are so young there is plenty Of time, Ed
ward is poor he can't afford to hire, and
how will my little, delicate girl manage
to do her own work ? Stay with us until
you are better fitted to assume the re.
sponsibliies Of married life, and perhaps
you will know your own mind better"
But all in vain, Edward eloquently urged
his cause, and Kate felt that she loved
him. This TO the minds of the young
people was enough They were quietly
married, and went to housekeeping in
Edwards native city, some seven hundred
miles distant, in pretty little house near
the suburbs. Poor Kate found in short
time that husbands are not always lovers.


lie was fond Of beets and so, knowing
she must keep fire, Kate prepared some
green's for supper, which came at six
o'clock 1t was little behind when he
came in, but she had set the table out in
the hall, where it was cool, well knowing
that, while Mr.. Doan liked good supper
and hot cup of tea, he never wanted any
fire to cook it by, and she did not know
very well how to reconcile the two. He
came in pleasantly enough, and handed
her brown paper package. There is
somo fresh fish ; don't you want some for
supper ?"


81 boiled some pork" said Kate, look.
ing doubtiully at the brown package,
"can't this be cooked in the morning, and
do jus, as well9'


81 got some steak for breakfast" he
answered, boiled pork is nice cold, and
it won't take minute to cook this"


Kate was tired but she always made
it point to please her husband, if she
could. She looked tired, too, when at
last supper, hot and tempting. was on the
table. 1t annoyed him to see her look
tired. lie had taken up baby she felt
fretful, and his awkward holding did not
please and, as a natural consequence, she
made it manifest


"Kate :" he called imperatively, as
she came into the hall with the last dish
in her hand, "this baby is sick she has
a frightful cold, she will die with the
Group in less than week if things 90 on
at this rate. You always were too careless
to live; but if ! were you, | wouldn't
neglect the poor baby"


81 will take her." was the only reply
she made to this outburst No wonder
she was sick, poor Kate


"You look like faded.out dish rag"
complimented her husband next.


81 am tired" she answered quietly.


"Tired | told you this morning not to
keep up fire, and presume you have
bean ironing. You always would have
your own way; no one can tell you any
thing"


The ironing has got to be DONE" sug.
gested Kate.


why don't you get up mornings then,
and do it when il is cool | could do it
all any morning before | go up town,
and will, too, if you can't | never saw
such fuss over little ironing" Kate
kept back the lump in her throat, aud said
nothing. He went on, Il told you not
to get hot supper, but you have and
the house is just like an oven. Go your
own way and do just as you please, then
you'll be satisfied"