Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-07-03
PRESCOTT, WISCONSIN, WEDNESDAY, 20

neck with her white arms, tried to bend
my lips to hers. No. promised her
never kiss while lived.
Women are strange creatures. There
was my wife, who lad entirely sympa-
thized with me, as l supposed, absolutely
giving aid and comfort to our recreant
daughter. | verify believe. that long be-
fore the wedding day came, she was as
thoroughly interested in the whole affair,
as though Minnie had been about to mar
ry the best business man in town. Lit
tie use was it fer me to tighten my purse
strings. and direct that the child should
! ave no marriage outfit of wardrobes,
pillow cases, counterpaines, and the thou
sand and one ct eteras in which moth
ers take such pleasure. In spite Of me,
but surreptitiously, Minnie was well pro-
vided for, l am sure. | remember that
the shopman's bills for some ten months
after seemed unusually full, both in num-
Der of items, and footing of columns;
and shrewdly suspected that wife had
arr nyed with the tradesman to have ar
tices scattered along through the months.
She was always good financier.
The ceremony was performed in church.
l was present, lest my absence might
give too great notoriety to the family jar.
Useless. The whole town having long
since been made acquainted with the
state of atfairs-the brides beauty and
the bridegroom's popularity-set many
eyes upon me with the sparkle of criti-
cism in them.
ale needn't look so savage like" NUT
tered gruff old yeoman behind me;
there amt likelier young fellow any
where hcreabou;s than Jenny Brun; AN
though Minnie be purity as a pink, its a
good ma:ch-a r. al bargain-so."
Long long months went by after the
neutrality-suspicious., unhappy months to
me. l knew l was being soured by the
self-imposed restraint on the affectionate
part of my nature. Minnie came to her
old home sometimes. Once or twice
she begged for the return of the old love,
the old home kiss. No. My daughter
was happy in her husband, happy in her
new home. But saw very plainly that
tho bliss of the old home was now lost to
her.
Nearly two years went back into the
past, Swallowed in this manner, when a
little human blossom was laid in its era
die. A little struggling, wee th;ng-an
other little Minnie. Poor me Here
was new influence to he stemmed, as
boats stem another gust and another
wave. But braced myself; and when
| had been forced into Minnie's cham
Der, stood over the pale child with the
little one on her arm, and heard the faint
voice add to the sweetly beseeching look,
''Do kiss me, father !" I shook my he ad
and went out.
One day strange change came o, err
the young mother, vlarmiug tie expert
enced, and giving to the physician that
ominous air of grave mystery which
strikes into the soul of the loving. ]
moved about full of fear and guilty dis
tress. The symptoms became more
alarming-she was sinking. was call
Ell to her bedside as that of my first dy-
ing child. As | bent over the white face
tiauoiuCSuI WIN WOdhuCSS, IIu-
mined by eyes all undimmed by illness,
my Minnie gave me the old-time glance
of love, and throwing up her hands as if
ia clasy my neck, said family, but oh SO
earnestly
kiss me, father !"
| bent down to my daughter, my first
born and we wept long together-the
strong father and the family breathing
child.
What DO you thirk Minnie did 3
Why she got we'll again. and in two
months was rs musical as lark, and as
gay, looking after the little Minnie like q
pretty mother as she was.
However, the ice was fairly broken,
and was my old fatherly self, ever af-
ter. Minnie even ventured after time
to make merry at my expense over the
fact that not only was Jenny Brun the
best of husbands, but one of the we'll
known American writers.
think | was very great fool.