Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-03-16

was ended, and the children put to bed, and then
the little wife came gaily down stairs. Fields
was weary and had placed his feet upon chair,
but no frown darkened Carries brow at the sight.
On the contrary, she advanced good humoredly
to his side and inquired if she should 60 on with
the book she had been reading the previous eve
ming or if he would rather chat while she worked.
But the pleasure of listening to an interesting
book, was far greater for the weary man, than of
hearing the village gossip, and SO Carrie read on
until bed time. - -E.
Time passed on and with it Mrs. Yates grew
more careless and fond of gossip. Mrs. Jones a
more devoted house slave; and their husbands, as
a necessary consequence, grew more attached to
the ale-house company; while Carrie Fields pur-
sued the even tenor of her way, contented, neat,
cheerful and good tempered, her house haven of
peace and happiness, to which her husband ever
returned with pleasure, and herself most happy
in making him so.
One day Carrie was busily engaged in wedding
her garden, when Mrs. Yates passed by and see
ing her, paused to chat Bit
"You have not seen the new cloak, Fields
brought me on my birthday" said Carrie.
"No, I've not, but I'll come in now;" and Mrs.
Yates entered.
"Upon my word, it's pretty cloak-I wish l
could afford such one," said Mrs. Yates. ssAnd
how nice you have everything around you, wish
could be as comfortable
"And why should you not 2" said Carrie ssYour
husband has the same wages as mine"
hut, b,,eb Il ob
of his money at the public house,
'tNo, he never enters it,
"And when we were married, everybody said
mine was the best match, because Yates was the
steadiest man. I can't think how you manage to
keep him at home.'
s'By making it neat, clean and comfortable, by
letting him find his supper waiting for him, and
his wife aud children ready to welcome him and
keep him company"
Mrs. Yates stood for moment silent and self
convicted. She said little to Mrs. Fields, but
soon bidding her good day. sped home, resolv-
ing as she went, that if her husbands reforma-
ton depended on hers, it should be without de-
lay. --
That evening, at the usual hour the three men
returned to Bell Air; Fields jesting on the way,
for his heart was light the others dull and weary,
for they were exhausted by their days work, and
had no bright home-thoughts to cheer them. At
length Yates parted with his companions and saun-
tered slowly homeward, knowing that, however
late he might be, he was always soon. At last
he reached his home, but stood still in astonish-
ment at the scene before him, almost doubling
whether he had not entered the wrong door. The
room was swept and busted, and everything was
put in its place, the supper was ready and the
children neat. ..g Fl. d.
But the next moment his wife entered, and then
he knew his home again, for her own dress was
a matter that, amid all her reformatons, she had
overlooked But those she had effected sufficed
for the time, for pleased with the unwonted COM
fort, her husband remained contented at home.
A proud and happy woman that nightwas Mrs.
Yates. She looked upon the victory as already
gained, and great was her disappointment when,
on the following evening Yates went to the pub
lie house. The next morning, she took her way to
Fields cottage, to communicate to her the hopes
and fears for the last two days.
s.You must not be down hearted" said Carrie,
"only 60 on in the way you have begun, and be-
fore long your husband will sit at home of an
evening as happy and cotented as mine does.''
'Do you really think so % said Mrs. Yates, wi
ping away the tears.
"To be sure I do,'' said Carrie gaily, and now,
I'll tell you what I'll do-Ill lend you book,
read little to Mr.. Yates of an evening, and when
it is ended you shall have another"
ssThank you''-and Mrs. Yates, full of hope,
departed. Carrie looked after her moment, and
then calling her back, exclaimed
ssWhatever you do Mrs. Yates, don't forget to
put on clean gown before evening" --.
Mrs. Yates took both pieces of advice she put on
the clean gown, and, she read the book, and they
both answered excellently. Carrie had proved
seemed reformed, and were as happy and peace
full in their neat little cottage as any couple in
Bell Air.
Meanwhile, months came and went and brought
no spell upon their wings for Jones' happiness.
One evening there had been the usual display of
great anger for little sins, when Jones, weary of
the share that fell upon himself, pushed back his
chair and rising, turned to leave the house.
"And now," observed Mrs. Jones, drily, 81
suppose because you are not allowed to make ev-
erything in a mess, you are going to the public
house to spend your money"
"No." replied he, quietly, 81 am going down
to Yates'.''
''To Yates % repeated his wife contemptuous-
ly. "Truly you have good taste to choose dir
ty house like that
"Mrs. Yates does not keep dirty house now
it is as neat and clean as any one need see,' re-
piled Jones, "and what is more, she lets her hus-
band live in peace and quietness, and good tenn
pero