Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-05-19
DODGEVILLE, WISCONSIN, FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1871.

and forming a sort of vestibule for a
second door. This Dick unlocked, and,
gently pushing me before him, closed it,
saying, "Here's home, Dame Troti It's
puir one, but our ain! Thank God
for that"
"Oh Dick ~ l cried, standing on tip
toe to hug him "what a lovely little
room; darling old fellow has made
everything so nice for me-"
The darling old fellow kissed me
with very pleased face, and I, subsid-
ing to my natural level and the ordin-
ary position of society, took survey of
my apartment
There was no carpet; but the floor
was waxed and polished in the French
fashion. The walls were painted pale
green, with bright, quaint border of
many colors, here and there twined
round by scroll inscribed with text
in medieval letters. A round table
stood in the center, covered with green
baize; on it were shining brass lamp
and a tiny vase full of violets. Scat
tered about the room were simple
chairs-cane-seated, green framed.
Plants bloomed in the open win
dow, through which the sun came
screaming, and outside one saw only
the stately walls and spire Of the
church, and the waving boughs of trees.
A clock, its common frame made beau
tiful by exquisite painting designs,
stood on a carved walnut bracket; a
rack of open shelves held modest sup
ply of china. A tiny stove and sink
were marked by second screen, Gov
cred with white canvas, on which was
painted Gothic scroll and leaf work
through its may lines grotesque mon
sters peered and writhed themselves.
A chromo in pasee partout frame, some
sun-lit glowing scene in Italy, and few
of Dicks designs, formed our picture
gallery. Through door beyond a bed
chamber was visible, shadeless, spotless
and still.
"Do you like it, Dame Trot? ?' asks
Dick, bending his stately head very
near mine.
"Like it! I think there was never
any room so charming. And | know
you did those lovely decorations and
made that killing screen-confess now"
"Yes; we keep painter" says
Dick, laughing, "but he can only work
off-hours, unluckily."
Then shat was what made you so late
every evening this month and ! was
so cross, and accused you of neglecting
me, when all the time you were work
ing for me! Ohw and hid my face in
his waistcoat, profoundly ashamed of
myself. "Why didn't you tell me
What a horrid pig you must have
thought me p
| don't know why or wherefore, but
my first proceeding thereafter was to sit
down and enjoy good, sound, old
fashioned cry; uprising from which, re-
freshed like DR.. Watts rose after the
shower, l betook myself to the task of
my wardrobe, which Dick
had sent from Aunt Becky's the dav
before. took off my gray strafF bon
net with it's lilac ribbons, and the pale
gray silk, my best, and my wedding
gown, and hung those festal garments
in the closet; it seemed like taking pos
session of my home, that first bestowal
of my garments. Then, with a joyful
little cry of Richard, darling, to think
it should be true, and | am your wife!'
l go about with my work, sing gayly as
a lark, "the melody of a heart con-
tent"
Dame Trot," said Dick to me one
evening late in October, ~ wish [ could
60 in for this competition at Philadel-
phia. 1t would be a thousand dollars
in my pocket to begin with, if my de-
signs are accepted, and the commission
on the building besides, to say nothing
of other work following it."
What is it, old man?' | asked, rest
ing my chin on his shoulder as he sat
leaning on the table.
"Why this, don't you see 2" pointing
to circular letter he had received, in
viting architects to furnish plans for a
certain public building.
"Well, why don't you go in? Of
course you can cut the old stupids out
in minute" said, confidently.
"I've no objections to try and accom-
plish that desirable end, certainly; but
how the dickens are we to live in the
1t will be six weeks hard
work to get out the plans, and I shan't
be making cent and I've just got
twenty-five dollars in the world at pre-
sent" And Dick crammed his hands
into both pockets with long and du-
bious whistle.
How lucky resisted that black silk
last Juner' and slyly unfastening from
the bosom of my dress, where | had
kept it pinned all this time for safety,
the little chamois bag, I held it demure-
ly before his eyes, saying, "small con-
tributions thankfully received, | sup
pose."
Why, Dame Trot, what is this ?'
and unfastening the strings, five shining
eagles are poured out on the table.
" Fifty dollars Where did yeu get
it?"
"Conjured it, of course; don't you
know I'm fairy p
No-but seriously
L curled my hands about his neck,
and told him the story of poor fathers
little legacy, and l had saved half for
some good use.
ooh, my pet my darling! ALI your
money that you have saved so long. [
can't take it from birdie:"
Nonsense! 1 saved it for you. Be-
sides, consider it very good specula-
ton. to make thousand dollars out of
fifty"
"But if lose the competition ?''
You won't lose it. know you will
win it for me, Dick, because" and here
with crimson face, and the smallest
mewlet of voice, whisper something
in his ear which makes him start, and
his brown eyes flash with joy and tri-
umph. Then he takes me closely to his
heart, saying, in a low, broken voice
half pain, half exceeding love" Good
bless my darlingl Good keep her,