Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1875 — How a Wife Supports a Husband and Two Children. [ARTICLE]

How a Wife Supports a Husband and Two Children.

The house is on First street. South Boston. The husband is -an Englishman. W invalid, large and burly, and walks with crutches. The wife is over forty, with hair very white and a pleasant face*. The house is furnished meagerly but neatly. A stove and a few chairs compose the furniture. The following conversation ensues : “ Good afternoon.” “ Please take a chair.” “We had heavy rain this morning?’ “Yes, the earth was parched.” “ You need a fire on such a damp day.”., “ I’m thankful to get enough to do my little cooking with.” “ How do you supply that?” “ I pick bits of coil* from the ashes, and have done sb for two years. We lived comfortably until my husband’s health failed. Now I make molasses candy,, and it is a profitable day when I bring in twenty-five cents. Sometimes four or five little urchins come to trade with pennies. Once a fortnight Ido a little washing, but the mistress is for cutting down my pay. One good lady sends my husband a dinner now and then. 80 I’m like a baby suckihg its thumb; it’s all hand to mouth with me.” “ You bear up cheerfully.” “ Fretting would spoil my good looks.” Friendship was offered and accepted with a fervent “ God bless you,” and the visitor departed.—Tratell«r.