Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-10-21
CHAPTER H.-sEcovD DAY.

oU"" e'Ny wa Va ~ Ne's w" fN''
lie was disposed to make the best of
things as he found them; but there was
no such thing as compromising with
inccssant grumbling. Unlike many
others, he could not be driven to the
dram-shop. nor even TO the usual
haunts of loafers in the country places.
He was obstinately bent on staying at
home in the evening. lie was fond Of
reading. and home was the centre OF
his thoughts. Even the pcrvcrsity OF
his wife could not eradicate his deeply
seated love for home.
Still. home was not a pleasant place
for him-at least not half so pleasant
as it might be. Mary loved him-he
could not doubt that. During long
illness, the winter before, she had been
unrcmitting in her devotion. A piece
of red hot iron flew into his eye, so
that the ball of it had nearly run out
He he'd suffered the most intense ago.
ny. Day by day he had groaned with
anguish, and seen the tears OF his wife
fall as she witnessed his suffering. BY
night, while he tossed in agony, she
had watched by him nor slept for a
week. His pain was hers; and while
he suffered, she never complained of
the watching and privation that his
illness occasioned; she never used an
ungentlc word, even when, worn out
with suffering, he became testy and
impatient.
She loved him; she sacrificed all
her comforts for him; and why should
he not bear with her iniirmity?-
Should he, who had been so tendegly
watched over, who had been nursed
and nourished so dcvotedly hy her, cast
her out-should his affection be alien
atcd from her?
1t is true, her fault was grievous
one. 1t gave him a continual uncasi-
ness. 1t kept him harraSsed from one
weeks end to the other. 1t almost
embittered his very existence.
Il will cure her." said John, while
he was going home one day, as new
idea penetrated his brain. She will
find fault with me when / carry this
leg of veal home. 1t will be either too
large or too small, too fat or too lean,
too good or too bad. Twill cure her.
Mary did find fault with the veal
it was too fat and too large, and too
good for persons in their circumstances,
But John held his peace, and sat down
to his supper.
"What sort of tea is this?" said he,
as he pushed the cup pctulantly from
him.
"What is the matter of it?" asked
his wife, astonished at such a display
of "sulk" on his part.
"lt was too strong of hot water
should like to get a decent cup of tea
once in my life."
"Why, John!"
"ltis nothing but dish-water."
IL am sorry it don't suit you"
ut never suits me-" he added. as
he broke open hot biscuit.
Never suits you?"
mo-" and at the same moment he
threw the broken biscuit back upon
the plate. "Saleratus again"
"What is the matter with the bis
cult, John?" asked Mrs. Paley, amaz
ed at the singular conduct Of her hus-
band.
There are great chunks of saleratus
in it. If there is any thing / dctest
it is the taste of saleratus in bread.
Mary took the broken biscuit to cx.
anime it.
There is only single spec to bt
seen in it-I will cut it out-pray
take another. John"
John did take another, and broke il
open, but perceived another spec O
the offensive substance. scarcely bigger
than the head Of pin.
Haven't you 80. any cold brcad?'
he asked, as lac threw i, back upon tn.
plate.
There is none in the house." re
piled poor Mary. ready to burst int
tears with vcxation.
Give me piece Of pie, then.
Mary brought nice piece.
Strong enough Of cloves to strangl'
a fellow" said he. Strange that
can't get any thinS that's fit to cat. :
The poor wife could bear it no more
Her eyes filled with tears. and she sob
bed aloud John was not disposed II
carry the lesson any further. Mary
as much as she found fault herself. wa
extremely sensitive. and she could no
endure tho slightest censure.
MARY, my dear, do not weep" saiC
he. going to her and impressing kis
upon her cheek.
"What is the matter with you
John? yon never behaved so before.