The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-12-28
Home Iniae ices.

Whats that wonder?' said Mrs. Sea-
burn, as she heard n ring at the door. -
'Ah-it's Marshall returned the hus-
band who had looked out at the window,
and recognized the grocers cart.
And what have you sent home now,
.---------- --=-r ---.-
But before Scafurn could answer, the
door of the sitting room was opened, and
one Of the domestics loooked III and ask
ed:
'What'll do wild the demiiohns, num-
Let them set in the bali. and m attend
to 1hem,' interposed The husband.
Henry. what have you sent home now?'
the wife asked after the domestic had
gore.
Some nice old brandy he replied.
Cora S.aburn looked up at the clock and
then glanced down upon the floor. There
was cloud upon her fair brow. ad it was
very evident that something lay heavily
upon her heart. Presently she walked to
the wall and pulled the bell cord: and the
summons was answered by the cham
hermaid.
Are George and Charles in the room?'
Yes ma'am.' -... ...s
Tell them that il is school time.'.
The girl went ont, and in a little while
two boys entered the sitting-room with
caps i'm their hands. They were bright
happy healthy fellows, with goodness and
truth stamped upon their rosy faces. and
the light Of free consciences cleaning in
their sparkling eyes. George was thir-
teen yeas of age, and Charles eleven. aud
certainly those two parents had reason ia
he proud of them. The boys kissed their
mother. gave happy ''good morning
to their father, and then went away to
school. ....
Cora said Mr.. Seahnrn. some time az
ter the boys had gone, what makes you so
sohe?' ..s .. ...".
Sober? repeated the wife looking mp.
Yes; yous have been solver and mute ev-
er since the grocer came this morning.
DO you want me 10 tell you why?'
'Ofcourse I do
We'll Henry, am sorry you had the
spirit brought into the house..
Pooh! What's the use of talking 20 Co.
ra? you would mt have me do without il
would you? ...s & f-s
Yes
'Why-what do you mean?'
Il mean that ] would cut clear of the
stutI. now and forever.
| But-Cora--you are wild. wha,
should We do at our dinner parties without
wine?'
DO as others do who have it not
But, Mercy! what would people saw
Are You afraid-but no-I will not ask sc
foolish question:
ASK it Henry. Let us speak plainly
we have fairly commenced, ...-n
well, was about to ask YOU If yor
were afraid that 1 should ever drink toe
much.
THAT'S not a fair question, Henry.
was not thinking Of ftbat at ALL. But I vii
answer that by and by. You have no fix
ed appetite for it now.'
| 'Of course not as rELEr
'Then it will cost you no effort to abstain
from its use?' secs. ..... a.s
Not particle . .#s~-
And you only have it in your house anC
serve it TO your friends, and drink it your
self because it is fashionable! or in othel
words, YOU do it because others do it,
Il do it because it would appear very
odd, and niggardly, and very fanatic
al not to do il.
This last was spoken emphatically.
But pursued Mrs. Seaburn, with thu
calmness and assurance Of one who feel.
sustaining influences of right, you would
not do what you were convinced was wrong
out Of respect to any such conSideratins,
would your
You know I would not. Cora. This
question of temperance, know, is a good