Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-03-10

l
she replied in the same tone; sand as it
is all ready, you might as we'll have it
now. / should think you needed il, af-
ter SO hot day."
After the comfortable, though frugal,
meal was ended, and the children in bed,
and then the little wife come gaily down
stairs. Fields was weary, and had plac-
ed his feetupon chair. but no frown
darkened Carries brow at the sight
On the contrary, she advanced good-hu-
! moredly TO his side, and inquired if she
should go on with The book she haG been
reading the previous evening. or if he
would rather chat while she worked.
But the pleasure of listening TO an inte
resting book was far greater 10 the wea-
ry man, than that of hearing the village
gossip, SO Carrie read on till bed time.
Time passed on, and with il Mrs.
Yates grew more careless and fond Of
village gossip; Mrs. Jones more de-
voted house slave, aud their husbands as
a necessary consequence, grew more at
tached to ale house companv; while
| Carrie Fields pursued the even tenor OF
her way, contented, neat, cheerful, and
good tempered, her house a haven of
peace and happiness, TO which her hus-
band ever returned with pleasure, and
herself most happy in making him so.
One day Carrie, was busily engaged
in wedding her little garden, WHEN Mrs
Yates passed by, and seeing her, paused
| to chat DIT.
"You have not seen the new cloak
Fields bought me on my birth day." said
Carrie. PIX res . ....
mo, I've not, but I'll come in now"
and Mrs. Yates entered. ......
upon my word, Ills pretty cloak
| wish could afford such one,' said
Mrs. Yates. "And how nice you have
everything around you, wish | could
be as comfortable" ~
"And why should you ot!"said Car
RE, "your husband has the same wages
as mine," .........
"Ah! but your husband does not spend
SO much of his money a. the public
house." .a. .......-
"No, he never enters it,"
.And yet. when we were both mar
ried, every body said mine was the best
match, because Yates was the sleadiest
man. can't think how you manage to
keep him at home" ..s-.
"By making it neat, clean, and CON-
Portable, by letting him find his supper
waiting for him, and his wife and chill
dren ready to welcome him and keep
him company" ... 49, ..... ... ...
Mrs. Yates stood for moment silent
and self convicted. She said little TO
Mrs. Fields, but bidding her soon good
day, sped home, resolving IS she went,
that If her husbands reformation depend
ed on hers, it should be without further
delay. -.... 49,. .....
That evening, at the usual hour, the
three men returned to Bell Air; Fields
testing on the way, for his heart was
light, the others dull and weary, for they
were exhausted by their days work.and
they had no bright home thought to cheer
them. Al length Yates parted with his
companions and sauntered slowly home
ward, knowing that, however late he
might be, he was always too soon. AT
last he reached his home, but stood still
in establishment at the scene before him,
almost doubling whether he had not en-
tered the wrong door. The room was
swept and busted, and everything was
put in lis place, the supper was ready
and the children neat.
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 reformations, she had quite over.
looked. But those she had effected suf-
ficient for the time. for, pleased with the
unwonted comfort, her husband remain
ed contenied al home.
A proud and happy woman that night
was Mrs. Yates. She looked upon the
victory as already gained. and great was
her disappo intment when, on the follow
ing evening, Yates went TO the public
house. The next morning she took her
way to Mrs. Fields cottage, TO commu.
nicate to her the hopes and fears of the
last two days.
"You must not be downhearted, said
Carrie, '.only 60 on 10 the way you have
begun, aud before long your husband
will sit at home of an evening as happy
and as con,ented as mine does
"Do you really think so!" said Mrs.
Yates, wiping away the tears.
$40 be sure do said Carrie, gaily;
an6 now I'll tell you wha, Ill DOLL
lend yon book, read little ofii to Mr..
Yates of an evening, and when it is en-
ded you shall have another"
"IhauL you"-and Mrs. Yates, full
of hope, departed Carrie looked after
her a moment, and then calling her back,
exclaimed
whatever you do, Mrs. Yates, don't
forget to put on a clean gown, before
evening"
Mrs. Yates took both pieces Of adj
vice; she put on the clean gown, and she
read the book, and they both answered
excellently. Carrie had proved true
prophet, aud at the end of year or two
both seemed reformed, and were as hap
py and peaceful in their nea; little cot
tage as any couple in Bell Air.
Meanwhile months came and went,