Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-06-17
independent in all things.
ASHTABULA, OHIO, SATURDAY, JUNE II, 1871.

pulse was moved by this new love.
Not many words passed between the
husband and wife--at least not tbeD,
though thought was busy with them
both. Mrs. Wheaton's manner toward
the children was kind even to tender.
ness, aud this manner won their cou6-
dence and drew from then such looks
and ways and little expressions Of sat
isfaction, as touched her heart and filed
it with loving interest After night
fall when supper was over, and the
children were asleep, Mr.. and Mrs.
Wheaton sat down together, each show
ing a pile OF reserve and embarrassment.
Mrs. Wheaton was the first to speak:
"What were you thinking about,
John?,' she asked almost sharply, 81
can't have these children..'
Wheaton did not lift his eyes nor an
swer, but there was certain dogged
and resolute air abont him that his wife
noticed as unusual.
FSomebody else must take them," she
said.
"The county will do it," Wheaton re-
piled.
"The cppntyPP
ayes. There's room for them at the
almshouse, and nowhere else that i
know Of, unless they stay here"
"Unless they stay herew Mrs Whea-
toms VOICE rose little. "It's easy TO
say that but who's to take care of
them ?"
"It's a great undertaking, l know"
answered the husband meekly, yet with
new quality in his voice that did not es-
cape the quick eye of his wife, "and the
burden must fall on yon,N
81 wouldn't mind that so much, but"
She kept back the sentence that was
on her tongue.
"But what ?" asked her husband.
"John,p she said, drawing herself up
in resolpte manner and looking steadi-
ly into her husbands face, 'as things are
going on
"Things shall 80 on differently,p inter.
rupted her husband. "I've thought that
all over"
"How, differently, John'p
"oh, in every way. I'll turn over a
new leaf"
Wheaton saw light flash into his
wile's face.
First and foremost, Pm not going tc
lose any more days. Last month had
six DAYS docked from my wages
Hts true more the shame for me-
That was eighteen dollars, you see, no
counting the money fooled away il
idle company-enough to pay tor al
these babies would eat and wear twic'
over
oh, John = There was something
eager and hopeful in his wife's face, a.
she leaned toward him.
pm in downright earnest, Jane. 1
you'll take the babies, I'll DO my lart-
III turn over a new leaf There shall b'
no more lost days; no more foolisl
wasting Of money no more spending
of evenings at McBride's.'
'Oh, Johnp In her surprise she conl(
only repeat the exclamation. As she die
so this time she rose, and placing he
hands on his shoulders, bent and kisseC
him on the forehead.
you'll take the babies?'
Yes, and twenty more, if yon keep t.
this, and say So answered Jane, laugh
ing through her tears.
sAll right, then. It's a bargain An,
Wheaton caught his wife's hand ant
shook it by way of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton turned owe
new leaf Neighbors expressed sur
prise when it was told that Jane Whea
ION had adopted the two orphan chill
dren. Fellow workmen tapnted John
called him soft-hearted and a fool TO
taking care of other mems brats.
One said to him-"Are four months
easier to fill than two!"
Another, you'll be sick Of this befori
the years out"
/ Apd another, "Fll see you sold ont by
the constable in less than six months.
But John had little to say in reply
only mairteining an air of quiet, gooi
humor, and exhibiting more interest IL
his York.
For three weeks JQhp Wheatonhad no
lost a aay-something very unusual
and not one evening during that tim
had he spent at Mci5rides drinking sa
loon. His poor, little home, which hat
1 G Jnie TO have q reelected look, was put
ting on new appearance. The gat
that for months had hobbled on on
hinge, now swung smoothly, and thu
mended latch held it shpt. Rank weed
no longer Glled the door-yard; the brok
en- panes were mended, and clean pane
of glass filed many places in the eashe
where there had been unsightly rag
and sheets of paper. A neglected run
ming rose was trimmed and trained TO it
proper place over the doorway, aad wa
now pushing out young green leave
and buds.
Within, pleasant changes were ais
!, apparent. Various new R4t ipexpenSiv,
articles of furniture were to be found
Old things were mended, polished uI
and wonderfully improved With al
this, marvellous to relate, Wheaton
earnings had not only been equal to tn
increased expenditure, but there was a
actual surplus of ten dollars in hand.
Il never would have believed it, sait
5 John, as he and his wife sat one evening
: talking over their improved condition
after the babies-loved now almost as