Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-06-10

tea ana slice oil toast, and then asked
him if he would cut her some wood.
"ro be sure WILL" was the response.
| His breakfast was over,hc took up his
axe, mounted the wood pile and cut half
dozen sticks when along came neigh
Dor, who wanted Raymond TO accompa-
ny him 10 saw mill about two miles
distant, and assist in loading upon a sled
some boards, which had been sawed for
him-of course RAYMOND went, and his
wife was compelled to cut wood enough
| to keep the house warm until the follow
ing day.
Mrs. Warren was in appearance fee.
| bic woman, but she had endured hard
ships which would have destroyed the
constitution of one more robust. Day
after day her strength failed her, yet she
made no complaint. Raymond saw that
she grew pale, and was often disturbed
with fears in regard to her, but he was
too easy TO mention the subject, and the
useful wife became more and more fee
BILE, until she was seized with violent
cough. Raymond was one day thought
full enough to speak 10 the village doctor
as he passed their house with his pond
erons medicine porlmanieau under his
arm, and the gentleman who had some
kno Wedge of Raymond's peculiar fail
ings, left the woman an Innocent ,inc-
ture, and forbade exposure to the cold
| atmosphere under any circumstances,
and also declared that her complaint was
of character very much aggravated by
severe exercise.
For few days Raymond remembered
the Dr's counsel, and as he had respect
for the physician, lie obeyeG him as near
ly as his constitutional feelings permit
ed. but soon his wife was again obliged
TO chop wood and feed cattle. and taking
severe cold, she faded as would fade
the summer rose in frigid climate.
When Raymond Warren's house was
desolste and his friends cheerless, he saw
what had been his great error during two
years of his married life, and he mourn
ed his wife deeply, it must be said in his
favor, both as helpmate and a compan-
ion. He rented his farm and managed
to exist easily for one year: but he was
domestic human-he was not satisfied
with childless widower's solitary lo;,
and he began TO look about him for an
other helpmate and companion. In a
| few months he took to his home a wo-
man, who he confidently felt would fill
the place left vacant by his first wife,
Sadly was Raymond disappointed. A
| few weeks elapsed and he fell into his
old habits, with complete indifference.
Leaving his own work in neglected
state, he worked diligently one day to
assist neighbor in getting wood TO the
house, and he returned to his home late
at night, hungry and fatigued, expecting
that his wife would have ready for his
refreshment an inviting supper. In this
he refused TO take supper with his neigh
! Dor whom he had assisted. Poor fell
low! the kitchen where was to have been
his excellent supper, attended by smil-
ing wife, was cold and unoccupied. No
frugal board was there, and Mrs. War
rem was in bed. Raymond was much
astonished but was too good natured TO
complain, and silently he vensurcd to x
plore the cupboard for crust on which
to satisfy the cravings of his Appetite
Not crumb was there. 1t was eviden,
that his wifs's designed that he should
60 to bed supperless; and supperless to
bed he did go, grieving over his hard lot.
He had never before been so badly treat
ed, and he thought it indeed distressing,
butye his disappointment was not e.
nough to revolu,ionize his constitutional
good nature, and without mul,er he fell
sound asleep.
Raymond Warren did not hear chanti-
cleer salute the morning, as it dawned
after the night of his grieyous disappoint.
ment. II was spring time, and the birds
sang under his window, but he heard
them not; yet he heard his wife, who had
risen before the sun, coll him
"Mr. Warren, here I've been for an
hour in the cold. The woods all burnt.
Its time had some cut. If you want
any breakfast you had better get up"
Was Raymond dreaming! Was ..,,ris
2 voice of reproaccaa, mat same to him in
his sleep with recollections of the wife
that had gone before him to the Spirit
Land! Not so--it was voice from the
wife that dwelt with him in this sphere
of existence, that came to remind him
OF duties not discharged. upon the per-
formation of which depended the salts.
faction of those desires which had intrud-
ed visions of feasts upon his hours ol
rest. All this he felt; still he did not Of
fer to leave his couch.
Raymond Warren" again said the
voice, "you left me yesterday without
wood, to help neighbor get wood fol
his wife, and you went to bed last nigh
withou, your supper. You'll not get d
bite to eat in this house, till YOU bring
me wood TO cook it with"
"There's plenty of chips" said Ray
mond. in pallialion, rising On his elbow
as he spoke.
"Get up then and bring them into the
house," said the resolute wife. 81 didn'
know you when we were first married
but know you now. know what kill
ed your first wife. You want to make /;
slave of me- I'll attend IN NV duties