The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-06-13


Yet jerome Fenwick, with yery open ewes
and turmid amiaDility upon his features.
reiterated TO hmsel "that he was al right
as q triYet.n
Because you see,r sOliloquized Jerome
aloud, 'Pm q married man-and-duties /
owe TO society. | can't be drunk. because"
le caught al the form Of his chair. a. il
seemed 70 g,se sudden ,G-ch ceihne-ward.
II guess III 60 back to Ro a.
In the same instant q sudden electric thrill
seemed 70 send the hot blood back 10 bis
heart Rosa yes, it was her voice. speak.
ing at the bar-room beyond Her voice
and in what words
glass OF gin-sling-and Be quick about
4, too. Pshaw none Of YOUR dishwater
comDounds! make It hot aud strong. man -
Mrs. Fenwick ]" calculated nine host, ia
dismay.
YES, Mrs. Fenwick; what are YOU staring
at Ny husband is here, isn't he : and Pye
come 10 keep him company. Pm tired Of
staying at home by myself. IF b. Il going
q -1ake regular practice of getting drunk
mere, why he may as well do it in his wife's
company, and III be drunk, too!'
"Rosa.n
les, my dear. Good evening to you gen
tlemen," she said, nodding to the staring
ASSEMBLE se, and taking a long draught'
Upon my word, this feels warming after the
night air. Yea are right; it is better than
crouchlng over the fire at home YOU'RE
right, my dear, you're always right, and
hereafter Pun going to follow your example"
Rosa, are you MAD Come home, child.n
whispered jerome, in agony Of modification.
"Another glass, landlord r. eiaculated the
amazon, giving Jerome a pusA with her eI-
bow. II didn't know it was 90 good. Try
taste Of it, Jerome r.
Rosa, l command you to come away."
nat Tor Haven't as much right here
as any one You said you didn't care
Wnether come or not and here | am
Jerome wiped the drops OF perspiration
from his brow and upper lip.
'Do not mortify me thus, Rosa be whis-
peTed. Remember these spectators.,s
v ell you have mortified me enough
times and it's poor rule that WON'T work
both ways. Iandlord-I think-Pll take
she paused abruptly, the two glasses ap-
parentiy beginning to tell on her feminine
orain. Her head fell on her breast, the blue
eyes stared stonily into space, and the arms
fell heavily at her side.
shes goner' exclaimed Joe HYDE who
had watched the crisis with interest.
II VIII trouble you to mind your own busi-
ness, SIR, il you please" returned Jerome
Fenwick haughuly. Ah, his pride was
touched to the quick nov.
"Clark Tiffany, will you help me carrg nv
wlfe homer She is quite unable TO waiA.
Great heavens that should have lived TO
see this day."
CLARK Tiffany advanced with a subdued
grin upon his boon companion. But il was
no easy task they had undertaken. Never
was 50 totally limp and helpless a burden
before from the tip Of the pink worsted
hood to the furAged moccasin there was no
spark OF elasticity or animation, as the two
men dragged their way over the hard frozen
ground.
"Abominaiion Dsgraceful y muttered
fenwick, wiping his streaming forehead.
just what you have done Yourself a
dozen times." remarked Tiffany. cha-ys-.
i tSe arm that supported the leadeu shouiders
"Jupiter who'd suppose woman to be 80
heavyf"
'Myselfl or course have, more shame
to me n retorted Fenwic2. "But woman.
and my wife2''
II don't know that it's any worse for wo-
man than man." said Tiffany, "only It's
not customary"
"One thing Is certain" resumed Fenwick.
after a moments silence, and his tone was
full Of deep, Passionate earnestness, latter
this nights work, will cut off my right
hand before | will re-enter that accursed
bar-room. Pve drank my last liquor"
"That-that is not fair" sleepily mutter-
ed the burden, 'jGst when I've begun to en-
JOY myself it'll say it's not fair.''
A smOt .red groan escaped from Fen
wick's Iips.
"Before heaven | register the vow !" be
exclaimed "lrom this hour | will never
touch intoxicating draughts more, so help
me God %
As be spoke the red Pickering stream of
light from the morsen-curtained window
glanced athwart their path.
The fire was blazing brightly, the cat was
! purring contentedly on the FURNISHED bricks
Of the old fashioned hearth, and wonder Of
wonders Rosa sat by the table, in dark
brown calico and coquettish silk apron,
stitching at narrow strip Of linen.
"kosa ~ gasped jerome, in open mouthed
astonishment, ,~''you here ~
Where else should be, Jerome 2" de-
manded Mrs. Fenwick, with exemplary calm
ness.
"Do we live in the age Of witchcraft, Am
dreaming, wide awake and in full posses
sion Of my ordinary senses ~ exclaimed
Eenwick, turning to the limb figure on the
Kitchen settee; no longer imbed, however.
IL had suddenly risen up, straight and vigor-
Gus ss young pine, and, throwing off the
gingham draperies and pink worrted hood.
stood before them in the uniform OF FEEDER
al lieutenant.
AT your service, Mr.. Fenwick,' SAID
Charley Warner with dancing eyes and de-
iant brow
"Rosa," said Jerome, still bewidered
'.who IL thissn
"lt Is my brother, Jerome--my brothe
Charley" faltered Rosa "Don't be angry
please. Indeed | could not stop him; h
would 90, and Aunt Tryphosa encouraged
, him."
swell, Pm heartily glad it's not my wife,
said Jerome, extending his hand. "Wel
come home from the wars, brother-in-law
: but question whether any victory in which
you have been concerned during the thre,
years Of your absence, can equal the victor
, you have this night gained"
"Jeromep exclaimed Rosa, "surely ha
no"
"But he has, though 70 interposed Lieu
; tenant Charley, leisurely lighting ciga
among the smouldering chestnuts. "I bea
witness that he has this night solemn,
pledged himself to abstain forevermore frou
. the Columbian and al that sppertains there
to. Isn't it 20, your friend that so kindlY
held up my heads"
! "Well, thought you were heavy" &C
, knowledged Clark Tiffany. "But, no Offenss
: sir, really don't see how your head stand
I those two glasses Of gin.'
Q "Ahi that's because Pye been in the n
my" responded Lieutenant Warner, wit
y charming frankness.
"Whati little Rosa crying again ?"
SDon't mind me, Charley; it's only be
; cause Pm 90 happy"
"Hapoy, chr Wen, it isn't my way :
B expressing happiness" observed Warnel