Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-11-04
THE DRUNKARD's WIFE.


We had long drive to-day into tn
country. Much of our way lay through
sheltered roads in the still woods BY
S and by we found ourselves on hill sid
in the open country. At the foot of thi
hill we're clustered few houses, in one o
which my husband found the man will
whom he had business and while the,
} were occupied together, | alighted from
{ the gig and sat down on rock in tn,
sunshine A neat little girl came run
ming to me from house near by, ant
asked me to enter and rest myself within
: Tempted by the gentle manner of thu
child, and yet more by the beauty of {
little boy of some two years old = who's,
bright eyes cleaned like Jewels below the
thick chestnut curls which clustered about
his finely formed forehead, ! walked with
the little girl towards the house, and
entered the door which her rogush look
ing brother held half open.
A pale and very sad looking woman
with baby in her arms, met me at the
threshold, and directed the little girl to
"bring the lady a cup of milk" Laying
her sleeping baby in awooden cradle, she
sat down on low seat and drawing to-
wards her basket of coarse, clean stock
ings, began to mend them. . sa
"Are these your children 2" L said.
Eyes"
"Have you others ?"
At this moment the door opened, and
in rushed three boys, the eldest not more
than three years old.
The baby, reused by the sudden open
ing of the door, began at this moment to
cry, and with hopeless glance at her
work basket, the mother took her into her
arms.
"Ma, may l go and play with Tom
I White?' screamed the biggest boy. "Ma.
may / have my luncheon ~ shouted the
second "Ma Bill Ellis pushed me into
the duck pond cause woulden't give him
my pop gum blubbered the third; while
his dripping clothes and hair testified to
the truth of at least part of his story
Without smile, and without any attempt
to silence the tumut of their mingled
voices the mother put her baby into the
arms of the little girl, gave bread TO the
two elder boys, and opening the door,
babe them go play with Tom White till
Mary should call them to tea" She then
proceeded to pull of the dripping gar
ments of the third and wrapping him in
large shawl, told him to sit still until
his clothes were dry, This direction not
suiting the wishes of the boy, he began a
low sort. Of whimper, which he continued
to make as long as | remained there The
mother wrung ont the wet garments and
hung them out to dry, aud then, sitting
down again, took up her work
"You find little time to sew" said,
"with all these children to take care Off
And, drawing out my thimblc, I asked
her to let me assist her while waited for
my husband
"Thank you, it is no matter she re-
piled, not ungraciously. but decidedly.
at is Saturday night, and you have a
large basketful of stockings yet to mend.
Will they not be wanted before Monday p
81 do much of my sewing while they
sleep"
sBut you do uot'look strong enough to
sit up at night to work, and l shall be
glad of something to do
aThank you, she said again, in the
same tone, "if you wish it but it is nc
matter. A little more or a little less
makes no difference
There was a hopless dependency in heI
voice which went to my heart.
"Your children look healthy"
eyes"
"And this little care. taking motherly
girl" said, smiling at the little Mary
who was trying in vain to quiet the whim.
pering boy, "she is help to you, an
sure. And all these fine, healthy boy:
, will prove great blessings to you by,and
by, if they be some trouble now"
She looked at me for moment with an
expression which I did not quit under,
stand, 1t was as if she thought me mock
. ing her; but she did not speak, and
siad no more. After a short time, seeing
. through tn, window that my husband was
looking for She rose too and stood
silent while | tied on my bonnet and wrap
ped my shawl around me | offered hel
my hand, and thanked her for her hospit
ality She took il coldy. The baby on
her bosom, attracted by my voice, looked
up and smiled [ stopped aud kissed It's
innocent forehead.
"Dear little baby2' | said, playfully
"if we're a fairy | would leave blessing
= for you"
"There is but Que blessing in store foI
; it, and that at the.end Of a long. and toll
some journey--death' lIat
A cold chitl ran over ME. lis life, then
so sad 2"
Y She looked up at me. Her bosom heav
| ed her whole frame tremblod, and, will
choking voice she said
, mo, not, for you. Young, strong
beautiful, loving and beloved, not for yol
5 now but wait ten years, and tell INC wha
5 you find it then
She turned and passel into an lima