Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-08-03
A CROSS WORD
BY EMMA GARRISON JoyEs,

Tom didn't speak bit cross, only cmphat
ic bat was o"t Of temper that morning, am
my head ached badly from sitting up too lat
the night before Tom had gone to n suppe
for the second time since our marriage
given by some of his bachelor friend&, an,
had come home the worst for it. 1t had pro
voked me Intensely. So had followed hin
to bed in sullen silence, and awoke none III,
better pleased after my sleep on the mornin.
alluded to. To make the matter worse. ius
as he spoke TO me about the button, the knife
with which l was cutting bread for Els lunch
slipped. inflicted deep cash in NY hand
and the baby woke, aud sent up her sharp
little cry from the cradle, all ii one and a
the sa'ne moWent. ,..
| reckon [ replied sharply, really angry a
last. Don't hurry mcl do all can, arr
more than I'm able 10 do with one pair O.
hauds"
Tom dropped his button, and turned TOWARD
me with n startled, why. Lucy! ~
Don't Lucy me. l retortcd. throwing
down the bread, and catching tip the baby
while the blood strcamed from my hand owe.
The white gown. You've done enoug--you
We broken my heart wish | had never
seen youI wish l was back to my father and
lucther"
broke down with a burst of hysterical
tears, and, seeing the blood on my hand
Tom came over and kuelt down beside me
why. Lucy he said his voice and his
eyes full of tenderness. you've cut your
hand. Why didn't yon say so? Here, give
me the child. while you bind it up-see how
it hlccl>?"
lie held ont his hard f,r the baby, but l
snatched her away, aud went on sobblng.
Don't cry. Lucy" he continued, srrokiog
the hair back from my forehead please
don't know I've done wrong. dear-bnt
dilh's mean it. fell in with some old
boys. and they persuaded me against my will
But it's the last time, Lucy very bs.
thine
Why didn't turn to him then. and helm
and encourage him? Because my mean. ty-
rannous temper got the better Of iIy woman
heart.
"Oh, yes" said sneerngly, 1T is easy
enough to make fine pronises--you told ne
the same thing before. How eau yot expec.
me to trust you nov
Tom was spirited and quick tempered
great, loving hearted men always are. lie
sprang to his feet like fash, and before |
had time to think or sneak he had left the
room. tossed the child in her cradle, and
rushed to The door--but il was too iate-hc
was gone. just caught glimpse cf Lin
turning the corner.
went back to the little breakfast toom.-
How blank and drnar it looked and what a
sharp, singing thorn there was ia the core
Of my heart! loved Tom, and he loved me.
We had been married eigheeh months aid
this was our first quarrel. SIT down, with
babe in my arms, Needless of my mornings
work, ard went to thinking. All the old, |
happy days came back, and one day III par
ticular. when We sat in burberry Wood 1t |
was in autumn, and all the wirld seemed ia a |
haEe Of gold, rs the stn Sid down, ahi the
'quirrcls cl atted overhead. dropping /, ripe
mt now and then, into my lay, as sat there,
slth the last rose Of summer in my hair, and
shifting purse for Ton
Lucy" he said, as l wove the last golden
stitches, you've knit nay ove-my very life
up in that purse. ToI. Tie no;y, before you
inish it, how it IS to be +? Am to leave YOU.
nd-and- aiid---. Oh | won't thiuk
+ it even Lucy. it would be too dreadful
No. Tom,' answered yoi are to have
he purse, and the hand that knit it too"
Poor Tom. be cried then, just ike IA little
hild-hc, the bravest mau in The village
NO farlt TO find, only his u hetie too
'ld-too fond cf gay company, but you
iust take him, Lucy. as your mother did me"
That Was my old fathers advice on onr
edding day. My heart sniotc me drcaifu,,y q,
) called 1t to mind that morning Had / .
me my duty Had l followed the example !
my mothe., who never let fall an uukind .
ord
But Tom would he home to dinner! Tic i
ought brought me to my feet. | did up t
y work briskly, and went about cooking l.
st such as l knew he liked. Tie pinmb- l.
Iddiag was done to petf1Ctipn. the baby l., r
ran slip, Gud Myself all smiles to receive
III when the clock struck one But he I
in't come. f
l put By the untasted dinner and prepared
pper. and lit bright fire ia the lid. par IL
:. lie should have IA pleasant yselc5a.a. - q
ght. nine, ten, O'clock, and went t, the b
r,ery to watch AMI wait How the little Il
'rn IN my heart pierced and wrankled - I'll
IN had broken his promise and my unkind- I'll
IS was the cause; Nothing else rang in my
3 through the long hours ..., a.
Aoout tWo CLOCK L neafu u noise below
went to the window. There was IL man lo
the porch, could just sec him il The dim %
hit. ~
= Tom. is that you p l asked, softly, pu.
z out my head an
, Yes. open the door. Lucy-quick. Tie lii
ice are utter me-"
Wy heart sunk. The police after hin = Er
lat could he have dUnei | ran down m,
fly and unlocked the door. But no dil
two men. wearing cf'icial badges, stepped CT
u the porch ana one Of them laid his W.
d upon Tours shoulder and said:
arrest you, sir"
For what ?" | said en-;
For murdcr.' ,no
he floor seemed 5iiling froni beiicatb nv
, but | caught at the door to study myselt ina
looked at Tom. At that instant, the off ID
uncovered his lantern, and oh, my God ="
e was blood on my husbands hands. m,
ii the rest is a blank. When came to bp.
again. was in bed in my own room, aud wo,
J., compassionate faces were around ME. mo,
d for Tom. lie was in prison, awaiting
rial. There had been a quarrel u. the sun
IN, whittier my cruel words had driven ,rJ
:; and Tom had struck his antagonist - wor
Il