The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-08-22

often as it was empty, all the while strivr
to interest and engage him in pleasant col
e versation. Gradually the husbands firm
!, ness gave way, and at last if anything III
pleasant had occurred to him during the da
: or evening, he seemed to forget it, and CT
they arose from the table he not only cha
, ted, but laughed q lite heartily when his viii
related some of the remarks that the chi
, dren had made since they came from schoo
When Mrs. Pason had shaken her snow
table-cloth, and rolled back the side-tabit
she glanced at the clock On the mantel, an
, she saw that the iron finger Of the time pec
pointed to nine, and yet her husband ha
not handed her part at least Of his month
pay. Her blood moved little quicker a
she thought of this, for she knew that unles
he gave her the accustomed amount soon,
would be too late for her to purchase tn
articles she had promised the children sh
would, in order to make them appear bette
dressed the next day, when they ATTENDED
sabbath school and church.
Mrs. Pason did not like to ask her hus
band for the money, for now that he hat
again taken his seat at the fire, she saw th'
same dark frown playing over his features.
What do you want for tomorrow. Su
SAM" exclaimed the husband, nervously,
few moments later, and springng from hi:
seat. " Don't name too many things" he
continued, " for have a light purse tonight
My employer didn't pay me nothing but
/ necessity makes me work for him, for every
i day he grows more tyranncal, and to-nigh,
/ lac informed US that he would give US less
{ pay in future. Poor Barton has gone home
discouraged, for he cut his wages to such a
small pittance, that he said it would hardly
keep his wife and children from starving.
This toiling to make another rich, wasting
all the best years of my manhood, 1 am
tired OF it." And the industrious mechanic
threw himself back heavily in his chair, and
covered his face with his sun-burnt, cailous
hands
For moment Mrs Pasons lip trembled
with emotion, for well she knew, that If her
husband had not received the amount due
him at the shop there was no prospect Of
her obtaining the articles she had promised
the children for to-morrow's wear, and then
in an instant she thought, ITO repine, or
JOIN in my husbands humor, will not make
matters be ter, and besides, will surprise
him by scheme have been thinking about
for some time past, although not quite ma
tured ye'. Drawing her chair toward him
she said:
Never mind, Robert, Il he didn't pay
4
ably. have good supply for the table to-
morrow, and"
"a heard you say" interrupted the hus-
band, "tLat you intended to purchase new
bonnet this evening, and"
"Pshaw Robert, what do you suppose |
care about new bonnet? ] have very
interesting book that | must return to the
owner in few days, and assure you / shall
be most happy to stay at home with you sad
read it' At this moment there seemed to
be removed from the husbands spirits half
their depression, for lie drew his form erect
in his chair, and with a smile aid
"Well, then, half the difficulty is sur
mounted, for | thought you would b. very
much disappointed when YOU learned how
penniless returned to you tonight" And
then he added, with sigh, - b,lI ti,1 fat,.rs,
DEAR looks very drear to me, Barrier Is
worked for him and his success in business
seems only 10 increase MS spirit Of oppres-
sion towards those who are making him
richer. Iwish could get something else to
do and leave his employ | should Ike TO
show him that | am not obliged TO hear his
insulting la guage II silence, even if the
snow does lie thick on the ground and the
winds blow chill about US"
For 4 few moments Mrs. Pason sat in ST.
lence gazing upon the fire. and then lifting
her handsome eyes TO her husbands taoc,
she said, pleasantly: Well, dear, l hope
there will he some way provided that none
of US will starvc, If we only have the mind
to be indus;rious-Bu how would YOU like
to leave off such sev,rc hard labor as you
have always been engaged in and undertake
some lighter business:'
- You mock me, Susan, when you speak
so, replied the husband. and there was eyi-
dence in his moist eye that one dersive re-
mark from her he loved would unman him
more than all the epithets his employer
could heap upon him, "ior how could
change, when | have no money TO commence
any business nor friends to assist me to
credit. No, no, can make no such change,
for the first wish Of my heart is to make you
and the children happy and comfortable,
and to do it, | must labor as in the past.
While this conversation was going on, the
wife had drawn her workable to the fire,
and now, when the last remark was made,
her face was so close to her work that its
expression was not observed by the speaker
but when she looked up, she spoke as if in
continuation of her former remarks. The
other day, when l went to Lenting with the
children, to visit sister, just as entered the
a large garden attached, and but a few rods
from them was neat little shop, both to
let, and so pleased was ] with the location,
that after l arrived at sisters, told her
a out it, and she and | took a walk down
there and inquired how much was the rent;
and husband, if we wished we could hire
that cottage, garden, shop and all for what
we now pay for this tenement, and, O,
wouldn't it be nice to leave this crowded
city, for such a retreat?"
1T would, Susan, but why tempt and
torment me with pictures that can never be
realized; for you know | have not a far
thing towards the furnishing Of such
store"
but you might have had, Robert, if you
had followed my advice" said the wife in
low tone.
80, yes, half-starved ourselves and the
children, and saved small pittance each
month from my wages; l will never do any
such thing, Susan; it is too slow way to
make money, this starving and freezing, to
put dollar now and then in the bank,
don't believe in it." And the excited hus-
band rose and paced the floor with rapid
strides; seating himself once more he said
in the same tone "but come, tell me what
you want for tomorrow? It's getting late.
"Nothing," replied the wife, then rising,
she went to her husbands side and putting
her arm around his neck, she said, "Robert
this is the anniversary of our wedding. We
have been married twelve years"
Robert started. Can it be possible, Su-
ssh, we have been married SO long 2"
'Yes, huaband. We were very young
when we were married"
q 81 was penniless then, / am penniless
now and yet have been more Industrious
than thousands who have in that time accu-
mulated fortunes, but SO, goes the world"
And the mechanic drew deep sigh.
just at this moment, Mrs Pason with
.i.a,,. Lor arms and left the room hut be-