Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-10-06

nv WV. T. coGsnaLL-aurHoR OF 'osgsHaw.'
RAYMOND Warren was a nice man

every body's clever fellow, as j
heard a public man once remark, "a
very extensive office. with numerous
duties never discharged. Raymond
used to sit in the chimney corner late.
very late on winters night, because
he was too shiftless TO get ready for
bed. But after awhile the fire burned
low, the glow on the embers faded,
and it grew cold in the chimney cor
ner; then Raymond became chilly, and
he would sneak to rest, where his wife
perhaps had been for several hours, en-
deavoring to recover from the severe
fatigue Of a days work. into which
had been crowded the greater portion
of her husbands legitimate duties
Raymond owned large farm left to
him by his father. 1t was good land.
but the fences were not in repair, and
every body's cattle roamed through the
fields, and Raymond's crops were not
sufficient to yield the family decent
support. The farm had once been well
stocked, but for want of proper atten
tion the cattle became poor, the sheep
were never folded, even in the most
rigorous weather, and many of them
died. The wool was never properly
shcarel and washed, and when taken
to market it would not bring the mar
price. Had it not been for Raymond's S
wife. who was business woman, the
family must have often suffered for the
common nccessaries of life.
Raymond's chores were rarely at
tended to by himself, but was neigh
Dor sick no man was more willing TO
work in his place. He was relied up
on as the man who would always neg
lect his own interests to look after
those of somebody else. He could new
er set himself at his own framework,
but he was considered an excellent
hand when. to oblige a neighbor. he
took job in the field.
1t was bleak morning in mid-win-
ter Raymond Warren's wife was in
the barn-yard foddering the cattle;
Raymond was in bed. The light of a
brisk fire, which his wife had built,
shone directly in his face 1t awak
ened him. The room was warm, and
Raymond was persuaded bv its invit-
ing appearance to arise. He sat down
by the Fireplace in his shirt sleeves,
and waited for his wife to come and get
him some breakfast. AS he warmed
his feet he felt that he had reason to
congratulate himself upon his happy
situation. and he said to himself,
'Tain't every mans got wife as |
have. Here she's made a good fire,
and I'll bet the chores are all done
The chores were all done. and Ray
mond had scarcely finished his solilo-
guy, when the useful wife hastened to
the fireplace to warm her hands. which
had become thoroughly chilled by the
cold handle of the pitchfork. with which
she had been throwing hay and straw
to the cattle.
1t might be supposed these occur
rcncs took place early in the morning
not so. 1t was ten o'clock when Ray
mond Warren left his bed. His wife
had been sewing for two hours, before
she prepared her breakfast; then she
urged Raymond for an hour to get up
He made fair promises, but left them
all unfuliiiled. She waited until nine
o'clock and then. knowing her hus-
bands easy habits, and ashamed tc
have the cattle unfed at that hour oI
the day. she determined to attend tc
their wants herself.
Raymond's first salutation to her as
she stood by the fire. was,
Il wish ! had some tea, Sally. bu'
never mind. you've put the things away
"a little warm water. with little
milk and sugar in it. will do just as
we'll. and while you're about it. yor
may get me a little piece of bread; bu'
Just as you choose: no matter about il
anyhow. "Taint every mans got sucl
woman for WIFE
She might have answered,
IL is not every woman that has sucl
a husband
But she knew such remarks woulC
only make bitter feelings. and thougl
fatigued with the violent exercise sh,
had taken. she went chcerfully ant
prepared her easy. good-naturcd hus
band a cup of tea and slice of toast
and then asked him if he would no
cut some wood.
TO be sure will,' was his response
His breakfast over, he took up hi
axe, mounted the wood-pilc. and cu
half dozen sticks, when along cam
neighbor who wanted Raymond I
accompany him to a sawmill abou
two miles distant. and assist in load
ing upon sled some boards whic
had been sawed for him. OF cours
Raymond went. and his wife was com
PEELED to cut wood enough to keep tn
house warm until the following day
Mrs. Warren was in appearance
feeble woman, but she had endure'
hardship which would have destroye'
the constitution of one much more ro
bust. Day after day her strength fail
ed her. yet she made no complaint
Raymond saw that she grew pale, an
was often disturbed with fears in re
gard to her. but he was to easy to men
tion the subject. and the useful vii
became more and more feeble.unti sll
was seized with violent cough. Ray
mond was one day thoughtful enoug
to speak to the village doctor as h
passed their house with his ponderou
portmanteau on his arm. and the b,
ncvoleat gentleman, who had som
. knowledge of Raymond's peculia
failings. left the woman an innocen
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