Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-07-13

days the usual amount of village gossip,
concerning the appearance and behavior
of groom and bride. This over and the
affair 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 as
ever; the mother piled her knitting nee
dies and superintendedthe household con-
Germs of both families, for the distance was
to the kind old lady, and was quite sure
that Williams favorite dishes could not be
properly prepared unless under her special
directions. And thus all went quietly
and happily for days and months, and even
years.
The little cottage was less lonely now,
and Lizzie deemed not the time so long
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's
A kind welcome always awaited her.
clay by your things, Lizzie" said the
youngest sister, "and 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 a holiday,
you know, and it is not fitting for you to
attend to the household cares with a babe
on each arm"
"Not quite so bad as that, Jennie, for
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"
He will know very well where the birds
have flown, and can follow them if he likes.
Come, no more excuses; I know what you
would say. 1t is the fourth anniversary of
your wedding day, and you wish for a
cozy, little time at home. No matter, that
is selfish, and you must learn to deny your
self"
"Hush, Jenny, do not run on so," said
the old lady, reprovingly. " Stay with us,
Lizzie, my child, and you can step home
for William when he returns from work.
Father is at the shop to-day, and they will
no doubt leave together"
The hours passed quickly by, and the
old gentleman was soon at the gate before
they had thought of its being near the
hour for tea.
"Has William gone home, father p"
asked Lizzie, as she returned his affection
ate greeting.
"Not yet, dear. He 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 go home; promised to send Jennie
to tell you of his absence, but now have
done the errand myself"
"And you will have that cozy little chat,
after ali, sister Lizzie,' whispered the
lively Jennie. "The babies will be asleep,
and nothing to disturb you"
Lizzie smiled cheerfully, and acknowl-
edged that it would be very pleasant, and
| oftontinn tho Htfla
ones, who were already climbing upon
grandpapa's knee.
The abundant country tea was prepared,
and soon after it was over kind good
right was said, and the Dung 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 brlsily piled her needle, cast
ing ever and anon an eXpectant 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 itself William was still the kind
est and best of husbands, and the most
loving and indulgent of fathers; and when
this was said it mattered little to speak of
troubles, for with good husband, much
sorrow may be cheerfully borne. But thus
far there had been no SORROW. Worldly
riches had increased so that the little place
| in which they lived was now their own, free
| ,olI oh Tho h11ci yUa still th
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
"three glasses 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 thing of course-a fixed habit,
which would have been difficult to break
up. No question was ever asked as to the
disposition of the money. "Here are
your three glasses" he would say, and
quiet thank you was the wife's reply.
Lizzie's pleasant reflections were inter
rupted by the sound of footsteps. She
listened; it was certainly William. Yes
it was his step; and yet it fell on the wife's
ear with different sound from usual, and
it was with an uncertain and almost hest
tating feeling that she rose to open the
door
as it you, William she asked, before
she turned the key.
, "Who else should is be? Open the
door quickly, and do not keep me stand
ing on the steps all night.
!, "Never before had William spoke in sc
J abrupt and hasty manner, and Lizzie
looked at him in astonishment as she has
tily did as he desired.
"What is the woman looking at?" hi
exclaimed, in the same harsh voice. Ont
, would think she never saw man before
Cannot you give me some supper?"
Your supper is ready, William, thu
wife replied, mildly. She said no more
for her heart was very full, and she coult
; with difficulty restrain her tears. A mo
t ment's reflection, however, restored he
composure. Something very unusual mus
have occurred to irritate her husband tt
) SO uncommon degree. 1t was her dut,
l to endeavor to soothe him-to divert hi
mind and bring him into better state
With this view, after placing his suppe
before him, she chatted cheerfully con
, cerning the little incidents of the after
e noon, of the pleasant tea at fathers
her disappointment that he could not joil
: her there, and how little Willie had wishe,
a that father had piece of grandma's mic
e cake, and baby Lizzie had seemed to mis-
4 him when they returned home, and would
S be carried from room to room, as if search
ing for something.
S TO all this, and much more, he istene
o in silence, and made no kindly response
It Lizzie was sad, but not discouraged, am
e when he left the table, and threw himsel
d upon the old-fashioned lounge, which wa
l, his favorite place of evening rest, she seat
d ed herself upon low stool at his side, an
., looked affectionately in his face, as sh
a whispered:
; "What is the matter, dear Will? Thi
.c thn g.