Mower County transcript., 1871-07-20
VOLUME w.

daughters now nearly men ana women
who could well fill the vacancy in the ole
homestead, and that pretty little cottage
half hid in the clustering vines, was but ;
stones throw, and the young people pre-
terr,d u home OF their own.
So all was made ready, and when th'
wedding day came, it was rs all wedding
days should be, a bright and happy one
The modest pretty, little bride, and tn,
faith in the village church, one lovol,
Sabbath morning, aud as they walked to
gcthcr to their new home, after the usua
religious services were over, many wert
the cordial greetings, the kindly smiles
and he heartfelt blessings bestowed upo1
them. Then followed for the next few
days the usual amount of village gossip
concerning the appearance and behavior
of groom and bride. This over, and thu
atfillr WAS among the things that were
All went on as usual =; the customary busy
sounds were heard in the old shop; the
young blacksmith had taken new cares
upon himself and must not be idle. The
father smoked his pipe as vigorously a
ever; the mother piled her knitting nee
dies and supcrintcndedthc household con
Germs of both families, for the distance wa
short, and Lizzie loved to come for advic'
to the kind old lady, and was quite sur'
that Williams tavOrite dishes could not b'
properly prepared unless under hcrspccia
directions. And thus all went quietly
and happily for days and months, and ever
years.
The little cottage was less lonely now
and Lizzie deemed not the time 80 Ions
when William was absent at his daily
work A smiling babe was in her arms
and lovely little prattler ran by her side
as she took her usual walk to grandpa g
A kind welcome always awaited her.
"Lay by your things, Lizzie," said the
Youngest sister, "an,l give me the baby
You are to take tea with us, this evening
mother was Just sending me with an invi
tation. Your little maid has holiday
you know, and it is not fitting for you te
attend to the household cares with babe
on each arm"
"Not quite 80 bad as that, Jennie, fol
Willie runs bravely by my side, and little
Lizzie can creep around the floor. How
ever, would gladly accept your invita-
ton did not think Will would return
from work, and wonder at my absence"
"Hc will know very we'll where the birds
have flown, and can follow them if he likes
Come, no more excuses; know what you
would say. 1t is tho fourth anniversary o
your wedding day, and you wish for a
cozy, little time at home No NATTER tina,
is selfish, and you must learn to deny your.
self"
"lIush, Jenny, do not run on So" said
the old lady, reprovingly. "Stay with u.s.
Lizzie, my child, and you can step home
for William when he returns from work
Father is ut the shop to-day, and they will
no doubt leave together"
The. hours passed quickly by, and the
old gentleman was soon ut the gate before
they had thought Of its being near the
hour for tea.
"Has William gone home, father ?"
asked Lizzie, as she returned his affection
ate greeting.
"Not yet, dear. Tie was obliged to go
to Clyde on business, and will not return
till evening. You can stay with us to tea,
and have time to prepare for him after
you 60 home: promised to SEND Jennie
to tell you Of his absence, but now have
done the crrand myself"
"And you will have that cozy little chat,
after all, sister Lizzie" whispered the
lively Jennie "Thc babies will be asleep,
and nothing to disturb YOU"
Lizzie smiled checrfully, and ackuowl-
edged that it would be very pleasant, and
then turned her attention to the little
ONES, WIN Wcle aileitUy ClmDluS upon
grandpapa's knee.
The abundant country tea was prepared,
and soon after it was over kind good
right WAS said, and the oung mother and
children returned to their own pleasant
home.
Fatigued with the pleasures of the af-
noon, the babies soon slept, and, as Jennie
had said, everything bid fair for the quiet
evening chat. The husbands supper was
ready; the household cares for the day
were ended, and, seated at her little work
table, Lizzie busily piled her needle, cast
ing ever and anon an expcctant glance
along the shady walk which led to the
cottage, and indulging, in the meantime,
in a very delightful retrospective view of
the events Of the past four years. No
clouds had as yet obscured the sunshine.
The moonlight looked as pleasant now as
it did long, long ago, even in the honey
moon i'sclf William was still the kind
est and best of husbands, and the most
loving ard indulgent of fathers; and when
this was said it mattered little to speak of
troubles, for with good husband, much
sorrow may bo cheerfully borne. But thus
far there had been no sOrIOw. Worldly
riches had increased so that the little place
in which they lived was now their own, free
from all debts The business was still thriv-
| ing, and would become more so, as the
village Increased in size, and William still
continued his old habits of industry. Every
one pronounced him a rising man, and
what everybody said must be true. Even
his old friend Jim had ceased to urge the
temperance cause SO strongly upon him,
and had nearly arrived at the conclusion
that William James was one of the very
few who might, with safety, indulge in
"thrt glasses a day"
Regularly were the three glasses taken
at the village saloon, that stood near the
blacksmith shop, and as regularly was a
sum equivalent to their cost handed to
Lizzie upon his return from daily work.
At first it was done in joke, but soon be-
came a thing of coursc-a fixed habit,
which would have been difficult to break
up. No question was ever asked as to the
disposition of the money. "Hcrc are
your three glasses" he would say, and
quiet ''thank you" Was the wifc's reply
! L'zz"s l,le ,sant reflections were inter
rupted by tho sound OF footsteps She
listened; it was certainly William Yes,
il was his step; and yet it fell on the wite's
car with different sound from usual, and
il WAS with an uncertain and almost hesi-
tating feeling that she rose to open the
door.
us it you, William?" she asked, before
she turned the key.
"Who else should is be? Open the
door quickly, and DO not keep Inc stand
ing on the steps all night
"Never before had William spoke IN so
abrupt and hasty manner, and Lizzie
looked at him in astOnishment as she has
lily did as he desired.
What is the woman ]OOkinr atp" he
exclaimed, in the same harsh voice. One
would think she never saw man before.
Cannot you give me some suppcr?"
Your supper is ready, William" the
wife replied, mildly. She said no more,
with difficulty restrain her tears A mo-
compOsurc. Something very unusual must
have occurred to irri,ate her husband to
SO uncommon degree. 1t was her duty
to endcavor to soothe him-to divert his
mind and bring him into better state
With this view, after placing his supper
before him. she Chatted clleertully con.
cerning the little incidents Of The after
noon, of the pleasant tea ut fathers,
! her disappointment that he could not join
her there. and how little Willie had wished
that father had Il piece OF grandmas nice
cake, and baby Lizzie had seemed to miss
him when they returned home, and would
DC carried from room to room, rs If search
ing tpr something
j no all this, and much more, he listened
in silence, and made no kindly response.
Lizzie Was sad, but not discouraged, and
when he left the table, and threw himself
upon the old-ftshioncd lounge, which was
his favOrite place of evc,,inu root ohn seat