River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-11-08

AZ. O.
There's the bell. And if you are tired
as one harvester, am hungry as two"
Mrs. Blake smoothed her husbands
hair with her slender, white fingers, ar
ranged his neck-tie for the displace-
ment of which she alone was response
BILE, and then the little " writing room"
was deserted, and the woman who
didn't "earn her SALT" was presiding
with grace and dignity over the urn of
the tea-table, making with word and
look, and way, assurance doubly
sure" in the mind of her husband,
that he was the happiest of all men
under the sun.
- *fv*.} *e*
"Won't you sing me one of the old
songs, Minnie? 1t seems an age since
heard them, and there is no one to be
annoyed now" ......
Young Mrs. Morley looked up quick
ly from the bit of ruffiing in her hand,
and there was almost O child's eager
ness in her voice, that was sweeter than
child's.
'"Oh. may II Where is mother {"
she asked. r.. ~1a
"She and father have gone to look
after the lame colt in the south pasture.
Minnie" the young mans tone chang
ed suddenly this life is killing you,
and it must come to an end. You are
white as a ghost, and no marvel. But
I've tried to shield you. God knows !
have! Ii had dreamed it could come
to this, 1 would have sacrificed every
hope of my heart before would have
made you my wife,"
"But l wanted to be your wife, dear.
could not be happy save as your
wife,"
"Happy! What have you known of
happiness since you came here, lust a
year ago? You have been the veriest
slave, and everybody knows it but you
master and mistress-my father and
motber--the richest people in Drake
land !"
The young mans voice was deep with
bitter resentment of the wrong sustain
ed by the pale little woman, who could
not answer for the sobs in her throat,
that must be kept back now if posi-
BILE, just as they had been many and
many time when her heart was break.
ing slowly, and she way to womanly for
complaints. She leaned her elbow on
the windOw-sill, her cheek in her palm,
and in five minutes had conquered her
emotion. i&9 G4r.5..'.
=" I'm glad, dear, you mentioned this"
she said, rising and putting away her
work. Give been wanting to talk with
you long time about these things, and
you make it easy"
Her husband held out his hand, and
she went to him feebly, sat down on his
knee and hid her face in his bosom. A
long time she lay there quietly, he
stroking her hair fondly, and at last
What is it, Minnie? :" he asked,
softly.
I" Oh, it isn't much" she answered;
" only-only-"
"Only what
81 hardly know just what; but 1
don't want you ever to feel that you
ere to blame for anything. 1t was my
misfortune, and no ones fault, that /
could not please vour people,"
"CouId not? You cannot never No
woman could that had any ambition,
or anything else but muscle! It's too
bad and I've been brute for keeping
you here so long!
"Don't dear! Don't ever think such
a thought You did what you deemed
best. aud how could you know what
good-for- nothing little girl you mar
ried ?p 's<
She tried to smile, but the effort was
a failure; for her lips would culver
like grieved child s, and over the blue
of her eyes there crept mist of tears
that we're not voiceless-tears whose
story was little less than pain.
Her husbands arms clasped her more
closely, and his kisses. were thick over
the blue-veined lids. e., ~
" 1 married an angel" he said, soft
ly, "and made of her a slave Don't
say I didn't" for Minnie had attempt
ed an impeachment. 81 suffered it to
be done by others. You've baked, and
scrubbed, and washed, and ironed, and
been found fault with continually for
not doing more or better; and you've
not been allowed the privileges of
common servant when the days labors
were over. If you have tried to be
happy in the old way, with your mu-
sic, you've been silenced at once; and
I oh it's no use talking all that has
been. You have endured in patience,
it has aged you, body and soul, and
it's all to end at once. We will go
somewhere and start anew. Let pros
pects' drift whithersoever they will
the old ones, 1 meant have youth.
and strength, and energy, and will
henceforth care for, as love my wife !"
Minerva! Minerva Motley! Ny
eyes
The young couple started to their
feet as Mrs. Morley swung into the
room, bearing huge butter bowl.