The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-07-16
MRS. WELLS SUCCESSOR,
Farmer Wells Two wives.

"And so poor Mrs. Wells is dying !"
This was spoken monrnfully by more
than one person, as glances long and year
ming were cast toward that window where
the blinds were shut.
"Poor Mrs Wells just as she had got
so comfortably settled in her new house,
too poor Mrs. Wells."
Yes, it was "poor Mrs Wells"-a with
cred, pale, almost deformed woman, old at
forty two, when she should have been in
the prime of life, healthy and blooming.
The street was village street whereupon
stood the new house that Farmer Wells
had bought. 1t had pleasant look, a
hospitable, handsome presence, and seemed
to invite alike, the stranger and the friend.
Everything around was well laid out; the
trces had once been monarchs of I; forest,
and the farmer had wisely let them stand
around his new home. Freshness and
beauty marked all the premises, from the
handsome portico to the ample stable and
barn. The garden was just beginning to
send forth its choicest treasures, the trees
were giving beautifully Of their blossom
and fragrance, and everything spoke of
spring, and the fruits that lay concealed
in her bosom but, poor Mrs. Wells was
dying.
He- husband sat sorrowfully in the
darkened chamber, battling with his
grief, for he had loved that patient wife
for twenty long years, and if any misgiv-
ings came there to his mind, it was on ac-
count of the toll he had brought upon a
frame that was young and beautiful.
Yes, those sharp, pinched features were
beautiful when she became his wife, and
those dull eyes sparkled with the fire of
Joy and health. Children had been car
ried in those wasted arms, and thence all
too soon to the grave The hands SO mo-
tionless had moved in labor necessarily,
beginning action before the sun began to
kindle the dawn into day, and ceasing
only when the task was finished, whether
it were twilight or midnight. Two sons
stood in the chamber with solemn faces,
awaiting the last lingering breath, con
sciousness there was none.
Twenty years ago Mrs. Wells was in
stalled by happy husband, mistress of
his home. 1t was not his own farm whose
broad acres he cultivated; consequently,
he had determined in his mind to work
hard, to be diligent, frugal and saving, SO
that in years to come he might have some
place to call his own. Into this pleasant
scheme the handsome young wife entered
with all her heart.
She was healthy and strong, knew how
to work, was not afraid of labor she
would aid him by every means in her
power be his co-worker, his help, as we'll
as his wife. So she went to work, and her
thrift and her toll told. Every year the
farmer laid by money toward his purchase.
People wondered why the Wellses would
go to meeting in that rckety old cart, or
why Mrs. Wells wore the same faded cal
leo that she had worn for ten years at
least. But she knew, and though her
form began to bend, though her hands had
grown coarse and misshapen, and she felt
pains and ills she never knew before, it
did not once occur to her that these were
the effects OF hard and wearing labor
Time to read! Why, the good woman
would almost have laughed in the face of
any person who might have asked her the
question. Look at her work, and then
imagine, if you could, that she had any
time.