The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-06-05
From the Galaxy.
THE HARLEY PATENT.

The early break fast was ready and
waiting; had been ready and waiting
light of the December morning show
ed how thick the crust of frost was
on the window-panes, and that the
snow had drifted through the night
in great bank against the north cor
ner of the house.
Within the kitchen where the
breakfast waited it was warm and
CHEEKY. A well trimmed lamp was
burning. the covered dishes on the
hearth emitted savory odors, and
there was general and comfortable
appearance of preparation for an
event. On chair back, behind the
stove. hung man S underclothes; on
a side table was a new black leather
yalise, worsted muffier, and an over
coat; and all these, as well as the
woman who was the only occupant of
the room, had punctual,. expectant
look. And yet, things waited
The woman glanced up at the big
faced cloek*as time slipped by saw
that it was ten minutes after six,
thoughtto herself there were but forty
minutes till train time, and then
opened the oven door and looked in
once more at the mullins. Mullins,
she reflected rather gravely, should
be eaten when they are just done"
She went over to the window, scratch
ed away a bit Of frost-wreath, and
looked out; thoughtsit was too bad
he should have such cold morning
for starting, shivered, and went back
to the fire.
Folks have different ways 1of3 wait
ing; this woman had patient, or, |
think, it would be better to say, a pas
sive way-a way which is not acquired
as patience is, and results only from
French philosophy or cool Quaker
blood. 1t resulted, in her case, from
the last. ...-..-s.-.. sf' -
The clock licked away ten minutes
more. She said to- herself, Ruby'll
wake up pretty soon," and she stoop-
ed and turned the little earthen bowl
of milk which was attaining luke
warmness before the fire. SIS se,9
A minute later there was sudden
stir in the chamber adjoining the
kitchen, the door oof which stood
open; then. man appeared, pulling
on his pants.
/. = Ruth, he called, yawning, what
q" Nearly half-past, Gilbert, she
answered
- Half past six Why in the world
didn't you call me long. ago?" He
was wide awake now, and rather pet
ulant.
II think thee'll have time, she
replied. She didn't think 1T worth
while to remind him that he had told
her not to call him the night before.
Time" he muttered. beginning
to look about for his things.
She was used to having him trifie
cross In the morning. People who go
to sleep on brain full of blow pipes
and bi-carbonates are apt to be so.
All she said, therefore. was,
Come and take some breakfast.
Everything is ready. and thee'll be
warmer dressing, after.
He thrust his feet into his slippers,
and came shutting. out to the table.
His tawny hair stood out from his
head like name; be had high shout
ders, and long, awkward arms and
legs; but, when the lamp-light fel on
his face, it showed, in singular con-
trast to his figure, fine, effeminite,
Greek outlines, Ianguid, oblong, gray
eyes, an Unbalanced front, and
handsome mouth.
He fell to eating the stewed chicken
and fried potatoes. in rapid. abb
stracted way His wife did not sit
down with him. Spite OF her placid
acceptance of things as they came in
! general. il was rather easier, upon this
morning in particular, not TO give her
self much time for thought. She bent
over the black valise, having final
| oversight of its contents; not that
there was any need of this, for Ruth
had packed the valise herself, and
what she did, did not need doing over;
but she lifted the corners of the things
| in a dainty way, just to assure herself
| that the SIX well bleached shirts, the
blue. home knit socks. the handker-
chiefs and the collar-box were each,
| in their proper place. 1t might be a
good while before she should have
the comfort of attending to his clothes
again, and she fingered over them for
| this last time.
Ruth, he said, in minute, catch
| ing sight OF her, you're not opening
that case, are you? = Collars and
socks were rather indifferent matters
at that time to Gilbert Harley; his
wife might putter over them as she
pleased. but, besides. such things, the
| black valise contained something with
| which even she might not meddle.
What this was which il contained
was the outward and visible sign of
whatever inward and spiritual grace
wnrlS have found though. were some