Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-02-17


There came time when only weeks eIaps
cd between his seasons Of sin: times when I
could conceal no longer from the villagers the
extent Of his dogration. As yet I had been
able to keep it frem my boys, by teaching
them at home. and not letting them mix with
the village children. But Willie was A very
bright child and what with my cares and
sorrovs, my mind was not in n fit state 10
! teach him longer, so with many prayers
sent him from me to school at the extreme
end Of the village. He did not like il much
and begged so hard for Eddie to 90 with him
that consented.
! was very lonely without my boys, feel
ing my sorrow with a krcper anguish as [
sat all the beautiful summer afternoon, hum
ming an old song to try TO keep from think.
ing, when light wagon drew up at the gate
and my mother and sister Le,tie came ND TIE
psih. | flung myself upon my mothers
breast and kissed her again and again, and
then went about getting ten, so happy at hav
ing the old home faces about me once more
had forgotten all about Paul, when sudden.
ly he came staggerin. up the walk and in tho
door, taking no notice Of mother and .Le;tie,
but passing into his bedroom, where he was
soon in heavy siumber. closed the door
softly behind him, and then turned to meet
mother and Lettic as best | could Mother
sat before the window weeping; Lstie was
walking nervously up and down the kitchen
floor. & sssu. a.....-.s..
Mother yeu should not permit Marah to
live with Paul Raynor; it is lowering her
self and encouraging him."
Hush, Lette, you confuse me, child
Marah feels il to bs her duty. dare no,
advise her for better, for worse, Lc;,ie,
for better, for worse"
duty! Mother it is uze'css to pratt OF
duty in case like this do not think
woman has right to bear with drunken
husband year after year bear all his abuse,
all his"
"paul never abuses me, Le.tie,' I said.
meeting her flashing eye Indignantly.
at is rather questionable about the abu.e
Marah. There are different ways in whicha
man can abuse his wife. It's a mystery To
me how you, with your proud spirit, can
still love such man."
at is not the husband of To- day I love,
Le;tic, but the man who eight years ago won
my heart | am locking down through the
darkness Of these years to scene beyond
them, when Paul first told me he loved
This keeps me strong; ana then, Le,tie. |
must do all that can for the father of INV
boys"
Lettic flung her arms round my neck and
kissed me, and then turned to mother:
"Co,ae, mother, let us GO"
They went slowly down the path T.sitie,
vita her proud, quick step, and no;her, poor
mother looking back q. me every n,3,aen,.
i. was almost time for TIE children 10 rorre
IRON school, and they mVst not iind ms WITH
a shadow on my face. They came a half
hour later. my passionate lii;lc Eddie SOB
hing rs is bis little heart would br.ak, and
Willie trying to comfort him
"Wha, is the matter, Eddie -
20. mamma, is papa a drunkara? George
Parks said he was; and, OH, mamma. viii
the boys throw stones st him, as they do at
old Tim Logan, and call him 'Old Whisky
Sucker ?"
Mother. is my father drunkard -
Willie is quick and serious beyond hi,
years; and knew by the pale Guycring
lips, that the answer Hight give would be
life or death to him.
No, Willie; your father is no. drunk
ard"
The words seemed to escape my lips by
no effort Of mine The faces OF the cbillren
changed in an instant. Eddie flung his cap
high in the cir and shouted, while Willie
drew long breath. 90 If my words had lift.
ed a m9un;ain load of his brcist. ail ~.