St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-05-03

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she was, she would yield, and let he
help prepare what dish she chose. |
for weary hours she had been longing
for quiet chat with her husband. apC
the precious noontide hour had come
and they were all pleasantly seatec
around the table, and Mr.. Franklin
would commence conversation by ask
ing some question, ere his wife coulC
frame reply the words would be
taken out of her mouth, and long
chat carried on between them, an1
shc-hurt, silent, and perhaps indig
nant, would sit with closed lips, ant
spend a sober afternoon brooding ovel
the loss Of the aliment her mind S,
much needed.
1t was all explained to Mr.. Frank
I'm AS he rode along why his wife
VINO met him the other day with q
smile SO like the old time one, anc
with a tone that had a glad thrill in
it, hushcd down 50 suddenly, and why
on coming in Unexpectedly an houl
later, found her i'll tears ! Why sucl
a look of pain came to her pale lips
the night before, as he praised up the
biscuits, and said to Nancy that she
was girl worth Il hundred Why
such an angry, Indignant look was
thrown upon him for listening to Nan,
y instead of gratifying her by taking
her out to ride, when she felt confident
It would be a bcuciit instead of lnju.
ry. He began to realize how bitter
the trial for one who had been com
tort, company, and all, to yield her
place to hIrellng, and feel that she
was but a cyphcr. 1t was no mystc-
ry now why her face clouded If he
mercl y passed the bread or pie at ia
blc first to the girl, or tarrlcd to re-
tail the news ere he came to her room
to give the kiss Of greeting when she
was too feeble to leave it. To see
was to act, with Mr.. Franklin, and his
plan was formed before his horse was
turned loose tor the night.
Are you any better tonight, Ce-
liza Z" he inquired, in kind, earnest
tone, as he entered the door and
paused by her side Il am afraid you
iind the hours very long, sitting Lerc
alone, but | have made arrangements
to leave the Office an hour earlier each
afternoon next month, and | mean to
take you out riding every pleasant
day"
Oh, am so glad !" and the thin,
transparent fingers clasped his con-
vulsively, and Il glad light welled up
into her clear blue eyes.
Tea is ready. Shall help you
out, Mrs. Franklin ?" here broke in, as
harshly as the .jarring note of thun-
der amid the soft fall Of the rain.
No; you take up the toast my
arm is the strongest" and he encir
clcd her slight form with it and seated
her at the table.
Scott, brother was here TODAY.
and he said Mrs. WaItham was a great
deal better they think she will get
well, and"
OH, yes, the new doctor is curing
her. Amt it wonderful, Mr. Frank
lin ~
What was you going to say, wife,"
The tired look passed away from her
face again at this inquiry.
% She is down to Putnam now, and
she can walk half a mile. Do You
suppose | ever shall walk that dis
tancc again 7"
To be sure. | am going to have
you out chcsnutting with me this fall.
What a grand time We had the year
we were married, when Irene and
PcrCival went with us, and we walked
over 10y the old mill AMI filled our
baskets as full as we could carry
them. Don't you remember the oak
tree, where perfect bevy of birds
were singing and hopping about, and
how we sat down on the grass and
listened to them, and watched the
clouds rich with sunset dyes ?"
Was it by Jones old mill you
went ?"
Yes Celia, | am going to take
you to the picnic next week, if you
are as smart as now 1t is to bc in
the grove close by Mrs. Hardwick's
and | will borrow their rocking chair,
and | know You can stay an hour on
two, at least! What do you think
about il z"
Why, Mr.. Franklin, YOU are per.
frr|y crazy She will catch her
death of cold !"
You have not answered me, wife
Think you can go?'
" If lonly had some suitable clothes
Is it rhursday?"
Yes. What do you need to wear?'
" hardly know. My dresses are
all out of fashion; but | guess that
brown barege will do. have no gai
ters or good gloves-but don't get
anything expensive. l have been
sick 50 long | feel poor"
"Don't trouble yourself! But
must be off, aud straighten up that
business before nine. Let me hell
you"
Il will sit by the window awhile
it is so pleasant. | don't know whel
| have felt so well !"
Her pleasant smile, and the wav,
of her hand as he looked back at tn,
gate, almost brought tears of joy t,
his eyes. 1t seemed so much like
times Of old but with the joy wa:
mingled this pang, that if he had al
ways done as kind, thoughtful hus
band should, many sad, suffering
hours might have been saved, an,
perhaps his wife been comfortahl,
well by this time. for even the wisos
and best of books SAYS "a merr,
heart doeth good like a medicine"
The day of the picnic opened mil,
and pleasant, and Mrs. Franklin, dcs
pite much silent opposition, which il
harder to combat than open words
had decided to go.
The girl, out of humor at the revol
against her before undisputed authori
ty, had not a moment to spare from
her work to assist in dressing. Sh,