366 HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS. 



i 



Servants are by no means the only trials encountered by 

 the Florida housekeeper, any more than by her sisters in 

 other sections. 



There are some tribulations incident to all housekeeping, 

 and others incident to country homes only, that is, to any 

 extent. 



Foremost among these are the numerous, all-pervading 

 tribe of insects. 



City housekeepers Usually are comparatively free from 

 them ; but all country housekeepers are more or less an- 

 noyed by them during the summer season, and as, in Flor- 

 ida, this season practically includes three fourths of the 

 year at least, of course the Florida housewife is seldom 

 entirely free to lay down her weapons and rest from the 

 conflict. 



In the front rank of these household foes — these unin- 

 vited guests — not only in size, but in the universal repug- 

 nance they inspire, stand the roaches. 



They are not the mild little intruders of the cities of 

 the colder climates, the '' water-back " guests of the kitchen- 

 range, or the so-called Croton-bugs of New York City, but 

 of another family altogether. We have seen them occasion- 

 ally in the country " up North," but never in a city home. 



There are two distinct kinds : one, the larger, is a plump, 

 well-conditioned fellow, with a shiny black coat ; he is fat, 

 but, unlike the majority of stout people, very active and 

 full of works ; whether good or bad we will not say, since 

 we do not doubt that he acts uj:) to "his lights," which is 

 more than can be said of the great mass of human beings. 



