Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-04-16

puzzled than ever.
Suppose you had bought that little
creature and yoked it with one of your
oxen TO cart to do The same work ?"
nd bc fool" said John; that little
thing couldn't work. 1t was just made
pretty TO look at and 10 play"
That's it, John. Now | don't think
God ever made any woman 10 look
pretty and play, but he made some for
the rough work of this world and some
for the dainty places, some to cook and
scrub, aud some TO draw mems souls to
heaven by gentle loveliness. Your wife
is one OF the latter. II you were a poor
man | would have held my tongue, but
YOU are rich one. Give your wife y
servant; let her have books, music, pretty
things around her Let her rest from
toll, and you may keep her by your side.
Pat her back in her old place, and you
may order her tombstone, for she will
soon need it. Don't put your antelope
beside your oxen John."
IL will nos, Thank you! understand.
Poor. loving, patient heart !"
That's right Take her now Tor n
little pleasure trip, and get back her
roses
Lima clapped her hands when John
asked her ii she would like to spend 4
week in New York, and really seemed
TO draw in new lile from the very idea.
1t WAS delicious to sec Johns wide
open eyes, az he entered the parlor OF
The gicAl city hotel. and were shown into
the bedroom. whose beauties were quite
as bewildering.
The best room." he had told the land
lord. aud Lima could not ropress cry Of
delight at the vista of cosy sitting
room with piano standing inviiingly
open
'Oh John !" she said, won't you 90
in there and shut the door five minutes
please ?"
John obcyed. OF course John. she
thought, gratefully refused her nothing
now.
How lucky brought some OF my old
dresses" Liua thought. II have not
WON them since | was school-mnrm.
Fancy Mrs Reynolds scrubbing The loor
in this dress ;"
John rubbed his eyes and pinched him
self rs title figure sailed into the sitting
room, made him n sweeping courtesy.
IN went TO the piano.
Was that tho little woman who had
worn prints and sun bonnets so long !?
The fair hair was tashionably dressed,
and bands of blue velvet looping the
golden curls A dress Of blue silk. with
soft lace trimmings aud ornaments of
pearls. had certainly made fine lady OF
Lima The plano was Welding its most
/ bewitching tones 10 tho skilled little
fingers, aud Johns bewildcrment was
complete when voice OF exquisite
sweetness. though not powerful began to
sing
Only one song. Iull of trills and qua
vcrs and then Lima rushed from the
piano into Johns arms.
john, darling" she said; "hold me
fast Don't let me slip from you"
90 Lima :" he groaned, al was not fit
to marry such dainty bird But love
you little one"
And love you, John, rough old
John. Let NE sing again. am very
happy to-day, my husband"
But no wonderful trill filled the little
room now. In clear, purc voice, full
of expression. Lima sang:
II know that my Redeemcr live;h'"
Every word fell like hot tears on poor
Johns heart. until as the chord trembled
upon the air, Lima turned tohim, stretch
ing out her arms:
Take me in your arms. John ~
He took her tenderly to the room she
had quilted so gaily. and replaced her
finer! by a white wrapper, whose lace
trimmings looked like faiiy-work to the
unaccustomed eye.
care you tired, love ?" he asked, with
a great spasm OF terror ut his heart, as
he looked at the white, wasted face.
"Yes, very, very tired, but happy,
John ~ and with little sigh of content.
Lima nestled down against the warm
heart whose every illrob she knew was
all her own. The white lids fell softly
over the violet eyes, and she slept peace
fully rs child.
Softly, rs she rested, the faint pink
flush gathered on her fair cheek and n
smile crept over her lips. while John,
bending over her, lifted his heart in
earnest prayer for the life that made his
own so bright
Mrs. Reynolds was to experience her
share ot astonishment during her holiday,
and il commenced by the appsrition OF
John the next day in suit oil handsome
clothes that well became his manly fig.
uro. Theie was no ioppery, but he look
cd gentleman, though he made more
than one grimace before he got, rs he
said "Well shaken into store clothes"
Can describe the week? What was
new to John was old. familiar ground to
Lima. Central Park was not soon eX.
hausted, and the little guide grew strong
er and roster every day, in Johns
thoughtful care, that provided plenty OF