St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-02-10
The Prescription.

ilhN Z COHcluucu ~ tilhc lnOSc SllCep.
f want the Mcrinocs And while | an
getting ready, please take my memoran
dunn book and note down four harnes
snaps, five pounds of nails, and a gimIet
half Il jockey strap, and-ycs, believe
that is all. forgot them when | mad,
| out the items this morning"
Mrs. Strcctcr rose wcarily, laid Lei
sleeping babe carefully in its crib, ant
proceeded 10 record the articles named.
She was youn.-not Over twenty-five,
but the blonde complexion was sadly
faded, the brown hair thin and lustrclcss,
and faint lines were already marking the
white forehead, willie the tired eyes told
of care, and Lintrd strongly of an unSat-
i>tied heart
And tins thin-chcckcd, pink-lipped
woman had been called beauty only
seven years before She had been admir-
ed and pcttcd, but not spoiled. And
when she gave her hand 10 Newton
Strcetcr, she could say what SO few girls
of even eighteen can: Il married my
first 1--we"
Jud9c Slrcetcr, the father, was sup
posed to he wealthy. Bat soon after his
sons marriage, Il financial crisis came,
and his thousands div windlcd into hun
ireds
1t was false pride, perhaps. bu; the
young man Shrauk from 4 position under
those who had once looked up to him.
And his thoughts turned wisttuly toward
the western prairics where the sum he
could now call his own would render him
independent of oilers, ut least. lie cX-
pcctcd objections from his young and ac
complishcd wife. But she SAW with hi,
eye, and WAS not only willing, but eager
to 90 and help him make Il home that
should bc all their own. The purchasing
of n prairie team, some farming lmplc-
mcnt>, and the eNplnse of building a
small house, exhausted lis entire capital.
Aud the Young couple bc%an their mar
ri2d life IL many others Ia done who
had been blessed with their advantages.
4 hired Girl seemed necessary on the farm,
but girl could be dispensed with. In
deed, the small dwelling contained but
three sleeping apartments, and that fact,
ad,lcl 20 their uncertain Income, induced
Mrs. Strccter to take upon herself the
entire care of the household.
She was systematic hUu,rkceprr-
abhorred dirt in all its phases and the
rich aIluvial soil seemed ever haunting
her, like Il taunting spirit of labor that
would not be appcascd. In dry weather
it was fine black dust that found its
way everywhere; and in wet, it became
smutch that was hardly less aggrava-
TIM.
Two children had come in the seven
years to nestle in her bosom. But one,
a fairy girl of three summers, had slid
away from them, and w;IS now sleeping
beneath the flowers Of the prairie. And
the tired wife had sighed rs she looked
on the cold, folded hands.
"She will never toll as | have done,
but oh, | wanted her 50 much the
lovely mother subbcd forth.
MIR. Sirceter was now considered Il
wealthy farmer. His acres had broad
encI, his stock lad increased, the little
village, a mile away. had put on city
;ars, and the steam horse waited respect
fully at lis depot.
Still, the thrifty farmer confined HIM
self closely to labor, hardly taking time
for nccdful rest. The love of getting
had increased with lis gains, and lie was
constantly schcmng and planning to add
to his already many acres. Physically
and mentally strong, he had grapplcd
with toll, and it had hardly left Il mark
on his splendid physique-bronzed Il lit
tie, and with harder hands, that was all.
y pleasant home, with a gentle, loving
wife ever studying his tastes and wishes,
why should lac wear fast
But of her. Naturally fail she had
been like willow lending beneath
Il burden voluntarily taken up. With the
exception of an Inefficient Girl fora lew
weeks when little Mary died, she had
performed ali the labor required in the
hoI,c since she became It's mistress.
AS girl, She w;Is Il grcat reader and
extrava9antly fond OF music. iiuI there
was no room in the small dwelling Tor the
piano, and it still remained back in the
old home and books only added 10 her
labor by accumulating dust, for where
was the time TO read them
know this is drcaIy picture for a
farmers wife, hut perhaps there is anolh
er side.
Newton Slrcetcr took the mcmUl:n-
dunn, Glanced hastily at the neatly writ
ten items, and then SAID: "Onc thing
more, Mary, and then | am oil. Please
sew this buttDn 4 little closer"
The loose button was confined To It's
place, and then Mary Strcctcr watched
her husband us he stepped into the light
buggy and drove rapidly away.
But not for long might she linger, for
the sponge WAS waiting in the kitchen TO
be kncadcd, and baLy's maps were like
angels visits. And before her task WAS
we'll over, his bugle note called TO arms,
and the irettul child was taken up and
carcssed, and soothcd to quictncss. But
he would not 90 down again, and back
and iUrtl, from the hot kitchen she car
red him rs she watched the loaycs brown
ing in the oven.
She was conscious OF strange dizzi
ness when she arose from STOPPING po-
stion. her head was aching miserably,
and her eyes seemed burning. What was
coming over her? She must not be i'll
Oh no-shc had no lime fer that And
then her thoughts dritted away to the
dear cid home of her girlhood. And she
asked herself, for the first time, if she had
done wisely in leaving it for this life of
toll and care.
1t was dangerous question for Il vile