The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-03-12

U8rkeu IL.
Charles Page was only a clerk in
a bank, but bis humble salary had
proved a sutiicicncy for himself and
Laura. Consequently, when one
night, returning late from business.
be slipped and broke his ankle SO
badly that severe illness followed,
it brought the grim phantom pover-
ty nearer to them than was at all
pleasant. ..r-%
.We won't Let the old folks at
home know Of it, Laura" said the
young clerk, trying to speak cheer
fully, I'm afraid they're in trouble
themselves about that note my faith
er endorsed for old Millman, and I
dare say we shall get along nicely
with a little economy" ~.-.......
Laura was sitting by her husbands
bedside one dreary November twi-
light, when there was an unwontod
hustle at the door bellows throw
ing down Of trunks and shrill artic-
ulation Of voices She FASTENED to
the head Of the stairs-it was Far
mer Page and his wife! ~ .......
"We've no home of our own, ,now,"
said Mrs. Page, senior, speaking
bitterly and loud, ''and we've come
to stay with you and your wife, son
Charles. .,... .r- f..
"No home Of your own, mother!"
mo thanks to your father, who
would endorse that note for old
Millman; and he's lost every dollar
just what he might have expected, I
thiuk-and we IS good as beggars
in our old age! But dear me, what $
the matter, Charles?''
Then followed explanations and
recitals, much to the relief of Far
mer Page, who instinctively shrunk
into the background, until the vio-
lenco of his wife's wrath should have
subsided.
"And you're no better off than We
be!' sighed Mrs. Page. glancing
sadly around the room. Ah-h! that
is what comes of ladies for wives!"
1t was not exactly q logical con-
clusion, but it seemed to afford won-
drous consolation to the good old
woman, who immediately united her
bonnet strings. and prepared to
''make herself at home. - 49, ".r
lis this money in the pocket-book
all you've got loft, )" Charlcs?" de-
manded his mother, about ten days
after their unexpected arrival. o
Eyes, mother. @@E- g.. ~
"Only fye dollars; and the rent
will come due tomorrow. and there
is bill for groceries, cnoHgh to
make ones hair stand on end-and
as for milk, l don't see how men can
sleep at night who charge ten cents
a quart for milk that's half water.
Aud nobody knows how much the
Doctors bill is going to. be. and
Bridget's wages-but Til discharge
her tomorrow morning II your
wife can't do the work Of these few
rooms, lean" "#- s"as @"l "~
Charles Page closed his eyes wea.
rily, and pressed his hand upon his
throbbing temples. It was not the
best course Of treatment for a fever
ISL patient, this enumertion Of do
mestic troubles. but old Mrs. Page
had never been i'll herself. and con-
sequently made little allowance for
the weak and worn out state of her
son. r.-.s-sz e.. .s..a7 -a.-.F ~as
II don't know what Laura's doing
up in her room,' said the old lacy.
"She had . great deal better buy .
wash tub and bar Of yellow soap.
and do tho family washing instead
Of putting it ont. and spe nding her
time in writing poetry Id taaeI
"Laura has been the most tender
and devoted Of nurses to me, and / will
listen to no aspersions of her con-
duct!'' interrupted Charles Page
Indignantly. Hsa"' ia VI
Mrs. Page screwed her lips tight
ly together, as she turned the solita-
~ note over and over, but she ven-
tured on no more derogatory remarks
down stairs Creeping like ven-
erable pussy cat up the staircase,
she entered hor daughter-in laws
apartment with the stealthy move
ment peculiar to that quadrnped.
"Painting, eh, Mrs. Charles. Let
me tell you I think it is your duty
to attend q little more to the house.
work, and less to your fine amuse-
mcnts up here. Do you see this
note? it's oil we've got left in the
the house, and if you think its 60
ing to support you in idlencss'
you're mistaken" sy / sasg
sis Charles alone, mother?" d
"Yes. he is slone-but as was
saying sgl Y .as,.s4,.. ],
II think we had better join him. =
Old Mrs Page hobblcd down after
Laura's graceful movements, grum-
bling as she went.
Lsnrs," said her husband. with
. troubled face, ''mother tells me
our funds are getting low,
"Only Eve dollars left" said the
old lady, clutohing it greedily, as il
i fearful that it would take wings unto
itself, and vanish into thin air. d
And. resumed her son, what are
We to do?'
Might as we'll ask advice Of the
biggest wax doll in the shop around