A Basket of Chips: An Autobiography

Basket of Chips, page 123

Rzlminations of Life and Art 1 COMPANIONSHIP My wife, Harriet Richards Harwood, was born February 15, 1870, and is ten years younger than myself. She was the second daughter of Heber Tohn and Mary Johnson Richards who raised five girls to maturiiy. They are, according to ages, as follows: Aimie, Hattie, Jennetta, Rhoda and Blanche. In my wife's youth it was the custom of the parents to keep one of the two oldest girls at home alternate years to help with the housework. This method, while adding much to the train- ing for efficiency as good housewives, fell short of gratifying my wife's great longing for education and knowledge. As soon as her children were old enough she resumed her school work by taking up extension and listeners courses at the University of Utah. The long years of delay did not in the least take off the edge of her youthful enthusiasm, and the revelations of nature's wonders were full of interest and pleasure to her. The studies she took up were Psychology, Ethics, Philosophy, Geology, and a great deal of History Some of the classes came at night and day and she would attend, no mater what the weather was. A blinding snow storm or zero weather and the walk to and from class made me feel very nervous until I heard her cheery footsteps again. She took a psychology class with Ruth during the regular school hours. One of the days was Monday and that was her wash day. So that meant being at work a little earlier than usual so she could get part of it finished in time to get ready for school, then finish in the afternoon. I always helped if I were at home which I made a point to be if possible. That was one of her many secrets of happiness. Her mind did not take time to weigh upon the drudgeries of housework for it was always so busy upon wider subjects, yet nothing in the home she loved was neglected. By the time the washing was finished it was almost time for dinner. It was understood that 123