Page 166 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

LOVE LIGHTENS LABOR,

A GOOD wife rose from her bed one morn,
Av:d tholegat with a nervous dread
Oi" tiis piles of clothes to be washed, and mr:;e
Than a dozen mouths to be fed.

There's- fhc ;neals to <^et for the men in the fiehl,
-i_i
Anti the children to fix away
To school, and the imik to he skimmed and churned;
And iill to be done that cia)r.

It had rained in tho lhght, and ail the wood
Was v.et as It coaid be;
And thf:ri? were puddings and pies to bake, besides
A loaf of cake for tea.

And tile day Wiis hot, anci her aching head
Throbbed wearily as she said :
‘‘ If in aide iii but knew wlmt good wives know,
They would tit; in no haste to wed !11

"Jennie, what do you think i told lier. llvov. n ? ”
Called the farmer fVom the wl-11 ;
And a flush crept: to his bronzed brow,
And his eyes half bashfully fell ;

,J R was this," lit: said, and coming near,
lie smiled, and stoopinp; down.
Kissed her cheek— " fuva.=> this, that yo<i were tile best
And the dearest wife in town 1"

The farmer went b".ck to the field, and the wife
lit a smiling and absent way,
Sang .matches of tender little songs
SheJd not sung for many a day..