Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-04-05
5eIffteo Gale.
THE WIFE'S APPEAL.

4
! The clock struck eleven. A woman sat
by the Preside rocking Der baby to sleep
/ She stopped down to gaze at it. A hec-
tic spo. burned on either cheek. while its lips
we're parched and pale. The poor babe
tossed its bead uneasily from side to side,
and seemed all unconscious Of the rocking Of
the cradle which now ceased to lull it to its
wonted slumber. The distressed mother
wrung her hands and walled within herself
But suddenly she started and rose up at
the sound Of footstep on the pavement
without. She listened--th the step passed by F;
aud she sank back in her chair again.
'Alasp she sighed, it is not bel When
will be come 2
| All was hushed again, and now she listened
to another distant step 10 the streets without.
Again she stood by the door. The clocks Of
tho city were booming the hour of twelve
far and near
The step approached; Il was unsteady !!
She knew that step. and her heart quailei at
| its sound. She knew its meaning. Alb how
bright she once looked at hearing the elastic
tread Of her lover, and after that, of her hus-
band--fo it was be! But now it brought
with it only sadness, despair, and grim FORE
boding of sorrow to come.
Yet she received him as of old-kissed him
as he entered, and welcomed him home again,
as she had always done,
1t is very late, William, she said,
We'll what Of that {?
It's lonely sitting up
And who told you to sit up? Nobody
asked You. What business have you to sit
up 2 and te hiccuped.
The poor weman burst into tears
Crying again woman Well. what good
will that do? You don't think care for
your crying!'
I'm afraid not. William. But 60 to bed
and we shall talk things over in the morn
ing
Talk things overa What have you got
to say, that you can't say it now You're
going to scold me. / suppose; but its oil of
no use'
No. William you know well enough ! am
no scold have never spoken an angry
word to you yet, since became your wife.
and will not If a husband cannot be got
to love his wife and have regard for her
comfort without scolding it we're better to
give him up at once, she said seriously.
why. Kate! what do you mean9 /
know you have been good wife, and an af.
fcctionate one; but can't man stay out
when be likes, without bis wife setting a
crying when be comes homel But come let S
| to bed
No, William; mus. nurse our child. -
He's very ILL.,
What! Ill? and did ut know of it =
| What's the matter 2
Il can't tell but he's feverish and restless,
and must watch with him for the night
Go to bed now. Ike good kind fellow 1
hope it will be all well in the morning
We'll, be it So But must have Kiss
of the baby before go And be approach
ed the cradle for that purpose.
Intoxicated though he was, be could see
how much the child suffered; it moaned and
tossed about as il in pain. He would, how
ever, have lifted the child up in his arms, but
the mother dissuaded hint was too i'll for
that He stopped down, and, staggering,
would almost have fallen over the cradle. but
the wife held him back.
'Oh, William she cried, leave the child
alone You are not Git to touch him. See
how you frighten him. Go now
He staggered back. looking confused and
ashamed We'll, I'm sorry for this, but I'll
en- 60, Poor dear little Willie
He was about to retire, when turning back
be said hastily as if the thought for the mo-
ment sobered him
but if the child should die
Then God will be done, said the mother,
sobbing
oh, let me fetch doctor, be cried, with
a look of alarm, IN bring one in few min
utes let me go3
Il have seer to that. William; tie doctor
| has been here, and done what be could
Now go!
And be went staggering to his sleeping