Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-12-30
uYlSa WIFE AND DRUNKEN HUSBAND,


cancer. Her husband is drunkard, and
she has no care but such as her two little
girls give her. except when neighbor
calls. Mrs. Green has been in the habit
Of visiting her regularly, for long time,
and has often wished me to 60 with her.
This morning we went together. As We
approached the house, We heard loud
and boisterous talking, and Mary said, a,
onee, Il fear Mr. powne was a, that
dance last night, and has come home
tirunk,=how glad am that we have
come just now WAS afraid to 80 in,
and could not imagine what good we
could do in such case, but she hurried
on. and opening the door quietly, we stood
at once in the midst OF such scene as l
never before witnessed. A Joyous smile
of welcome and relief passed over the
wan but patient face OF the sufferer, who
was propped up in her bed by pillows,
while she vainly sirove to quiet the sense
less rawlings of her intoxicated husband.
and calm the fears Of her poor, frightened
children. The small room, which served
at once for kitchen and bedroom, was as
neat as the two children could make it,
, with their mothers directions, but every
: thing looked cherries and uncomfortable.
There was no wood in the house, nor any
t cut up at the door, aud Mr.. Towne was
tiercely brandishing large stick over
+ the heads of the poor, haIf-clothed chill.
/ dren, and commanding them to 90 out
and pick up some chips, which were
/ buried in the snow AS soon as he saw
j, Us, he dropped The stick with a look o
n shame. and changing his tone, said
nj %. good morning, Ihss Green. I'm
- very happy to see you. I'm always GLAD
to see the ladies used 10 call mysel
. a ladies man; ha hal a pretty ladies
q man am now, heighol I've picked on
my second wife, though. if ever this olC
n one gets ready to leave--she's beer
J. azing around here long enough, ius
g good for nothing. / wish she'd hurry uI
h and give me a chance 10 take some con.
,e fort with another one. But why didn'
in you 60 to the dig last night, Mis-
n Green? We had jolly time dance
y all night till broad daylight, and wen
n home with the girls in the morning. =
at Wen have the next dig here, CUES,
/ What do you say to that, old wonlan?-
Sc Think you'll dauceY Come, get up, an
s. get me some breakiast--you are onl
to making believe sick, just because you ar
n 50 lazy
n. And thus he rayed, first about on
thing, and then another, while bis 20,
, wife looked on in speechless agony. Il
had never appeared 50 much excited b
- fore, or talked so cruelty to her, and 81
tried several times TO tell US that jam
;. used to be a kind, good husband, and th
-, it was only drink that made him act :
:; but he stopped her with an oath, and to
ny 'e' 70 "',''u net o"" business " !"
he was thus talking, | was almot
much terrified a tie children we're; /; b
Mrs. Green very coolly took OF her no
=, net, and went to work 10 make thin
more comfortable. She smoothed &
bed of the invalid, and told her TO
down and rest, and she would see ii
they all had some breakfast Then Vi
tone Of decision, but Of great kindne
- she said: Now, Mr. Towne, you mi
bar stop talking in this way and you must
-. out and cut some wood and bring It
and bring som wa'er, and do all you c
49,. to make your poor wife and child
;,., comfortable lie tried 70 laugh IL
but she was so decided that be seen
Ia, ashamed aud awed. and finally did as
.-.5 wished him 10. Soon, cheerful
,l,e was blazing on the hearth, and after
,uld plying some soothing emoliients TO
.;s. diseased and suffering woman, and giv
her a much needed cordial, she lrfl be
D. rest, while, with tle help of the cbildi
- We undertook 70 get them al some bre
fast Mrs. Green had not forgotten
bring a basket, well filed with conf
"a Tor the sick woman and her children,
81. soon had she satisfaction Of placing
...a fore them what they seldom enjoyed {
"A weil-cooked neal They ali beg
arts. thai they might share these laxpries ;
their the father. bat be would not take q
the thing from them, until Mr.. Green
him 70. After be bad eaten =
breakfast, she had long faithful
mp with him ia which be aeknoyisdest
his falling, and promised not 70 d.
''on' any more for a month or 20 70 any n
digs Tie then threw himself oH
kneas, By lbe bedsiie Of he nobls-hea
hisk yssge and taxing sbe child iB each