Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-05-09

despairing melancholy, incapable o.
thought or action, where both were SC
much needed. Sometimes she felt even
now as if she could gather her children
in her arms, and seek in some distant
place quiet, peaceful home; but no, that
was impossible; his grace would follow
them, and the old misery haunt them
wherever they might go-better give up
and die and be forgotten--and thus she
yielded to the dread incubus that oppres.
sed her, in her inmost soul bearing anger
and malediction against the author of her
unhappiness.
When John Grey opened his eyes to
the light of morning, he gazed round,
bewildercd for few moments, upon the
scene before him-Willie still moaning
on his cot, and Anna doing in heI
chair after her night watch. Gradually
the mists cleared away from his mental
vision and the whole truth flashed upon
him. Then, for time, with dismay and
bitter upbraidings he beheld himself as
he really was, and more than half resolved
to change his ruinous course, cursing
the maddening appetite that was Turing
him on to destruction.
Under the influence of these better feel
ings, and with a vivid recollection of a
hint he had received the day before that
the larder was empty, he hastily dressed
and went out; rapidly passing the shop
where he was accustomed to take his
morning dram, he soon returned with a
peck of potatoes and loaf of bread.
Then he took the axe and went down to
a little copse and cut an armful of dry
branches, with which he kindled cheer
full blaze, hung the rusty teakettle upon
the crane, laid some potatoes in the ashes
to roast, and then, in deprecating tone,
said Come, wife, hadn't we better have
some breakfast? the potatoes are roasting
and the kettle boils.'
Anna looked up in surprise at these
unwonted signs of comfort, but in conse-
quence of her unhappy reflections and
wakeful night, was not altogether in an
amiable mood, and replied somewhat
sharply, SO you've bestired yourself at
last, have you? Strange that you didn't
leave us to starye, as usual. If l were a
strong able bodied man like you, John
Grey, would work my finger nails of
before would let my family come upon
the parish, as | am sure yours will pretty
soon, and her face settled down into the
old unhappy expression.
%, you're always scolding, Anna,
never come into the house but there's a
perfect din about my Cars pleasant
home this, to leave for hard DAYS work.
Come, I'm in hurry, and I'll be bound
there isn't clean dish or spoon in the
house-hurry up your cakes-I want to
be off,
You had better stop awhile and look
at your last evenings work, you tippling
fool, retorted his wife, see there what
you've done to your own flesh and blood
and this pleasant home, too, that you re
so fond of, it's all of your getting up,
every bit of it. Where's the carpet, and
the honey comb chairs, and the nice
stove, and the French bedstead, and the
good whole windows, and the barrel of
flour, and all that! aint you proud of them,
eh +! am, Pm sure, and very grateful
to the man that coaxed me away from
my fathers house for such beautiful
home as this; and your children too
BY heavens woman and Grey was
thoroughly exasperated. hold your con-
founded tongue, you're enough to drive
man to desperation. know I'm tip
pling fool as you say, and you are a
slattern and scold but you may jaw
till the day of doom, and that's all the
good it will do. I'll do as l please, for
all that and he brought down his fist
with startling force upon the tottlish
table.
One can't carry charcoal and not be
BACKED said his wife. 'and you can't
expect woman that lives with demon
to be an angel
An angel-bah i said Grey with a
whitening sneer, now I'll tell you what
it is-you just shut up! and after this
exert your angelic powers in taking better
care of your house and babies
Anna sat in sullen silence, not without
some wretched misgivings as to the wis
dom of her course; whilst John. who had
succeeded in finding whole plate and
clean knife and fork, devoured hasty
breakfast. Once or twice he cast a
troubled glance towards the little cot in
the corner, and seemed only deferred by
Annals presence from giving Willie a
kind goodbye before passing out. Once
again in the open air his earlier thoughts
recurred, and secretly blaming himself
more than his illreated wife for their
unhappness, he stood sometime on the
sidewalk struggling between the clamors
of appetite and the calls of conscience.
But Smith coming along just then. ban
tered him upon his downcast looks. the
effect no doubt of curtain lecture -
together they entered their favorite place
of resort, and all better thoughts were
lost in the accursed bowl once more.
Annals dowcast energies were effec-
tually aroused, her maternal affection so
long blunted by selfish repinings. revived;
and. it must be acknowledged. many little
comforts were now prepared for her