Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-05-03

| fragrance that is always floating about
in nsummer-time, and thespeckled shade
of boughs and hum of bees and song OF
birds, stood Hetty's sewing-machine.
1t was bright and polished, and looked
almost alive-as if it could go alone.
Aleck went over where it was, and sat
down in the big rocking chair, and laid
his hand on the ease. He touched it
with reverence, as If he would have
liked to get down on his knees and
kiss the very treadle. i There was a
kind of poetry about, the mechanism,
in his eyes, for he knew all the brave,
patient work it had performed, and the
thought was too much for him. ~--
Confound it, Hettyl' he broke forth,
as Mrs. Henderson stepped from the
bedroom, ~ don't know how Pm going
to stand it to have you work as you do.
You understand how it has been with
me evers since we were children together.
| wouldn't speak until a year after poor
Wills DEATH" ~.
Hetty turned and gave him plead
ing look. 3.s. e7.
Forgive me-" said he, pcnitent to
the very toes of his big boots. /" I'm an
awkward, clumsy fellow, Hetty, and
it's just like me to tread on flower
when ! would give my right hand to
save it. But you know how have al
ways felt since we went to school to-
gether and ate out of thesame luncheon
basket, and gathered nuts and wild
cherries for you in summer, and drag
ged you up hill on my sled in winter.
There came a time, Hetty, when you
told me you could not love me, and |
never blamed you for taking Will. He
was worthier, far worthier, than l. |
tried hard not to envy him, even when
it was the worst with me, and don't
say but what did enjoy life some. I'm
no hypocrite, Hetty," he went on; hum
bly,, "and a wrong word will slip out
now and then when am angry. lam
sorry for it, Hetty. l wish l was bet;
ter man, and know that you could
make me one. don't make professions,
and never have signed a Temperance
pledge, because / think mans charac-
ter is pledge enough against his MAX
ing beast of himself. The pharisees
call me hard names, for mans repu-
tation is blasted in this community if
he uses a check-rein and occasionally
takes glass of hard cider. If don't
make any pretense to piety, Pm
straighter in my business dealings than
some round here that do"
Hetty did not like this kind of talk.
and her face showed it. The sottness
departed, and look of decision and
character came in it's stead.
"You can't clear your own Skirts"
said she with O. little asperity, "by
throwing blame on professors of religion.
If you do see mote in your neighbor's
eye, that isn't going to pluck the beam
out of your own eye" ~
Aleck saw he had upset his own dish,
and inwardly groaned. 81 didn't mean
that, Hetty,p he broke out. 81 know
Pm miserable sinner. There was a
time when thought / should be lost.
1t was after poor Will was shot in the
battle of the Wilderness, and you were
left to struggle on alone, and l saw your
white face before me, and was almost
crazy. But after a year or two, it seemed
to me, l might begin to hope. Il Thought
how could take you and the children
home, and keep trouble and want
away, and just live and breathe tomake
you happy, until felt sure you could
save me from selfishness and make me
new creature."aG .
Aleck saw little flicker in Hetty's
face, and it induced him to 60 on in a
more impassioned rain of pleading.
81 som etimes have thought, Hetty,n 2
said he, "that my love fol you is kind
of religious. I can't see God, but can
see his goodness shining in your eyes.
There's many man around here who
expects to get to heaven on the strength
of his wife's prayers E7 If | was hard
pushed to say what there is in me that
deserves heaven, Ishould have to con-
fess there's nothing but my constant
love for the best woman in the world.
If my heart was laid open to your pure
eyes, you would see how all that is good
and honest in me goes out toward you.
Oh, Hetty, some folks can steer right
along toward heaven of themselves
they are strong and full of faith.
Other folks must have something to
catch hold of. 1t may be a little child's
hand, or woman's heart, but it is a
very real thing and [ tell you what it
is, Hetty, / do believe you could tow me
IlSAO ttAOLS lhtO SloA
Aleck was not quite gentleman, not
very refined; but the yearning, the
passion, the faith of the man wrought
upon his face and made it noble, Hetty
would have been less than, woman had
she remained unmoved. e21A
"You do wrong, Aleck, " said she
gently, Hto put a poor, erring, weak
creature in the place of the Creator
Be careful that you do not grieve away
the Spirit of God. Your heart is set on
the things of this world, fear, and il
is your duty to wait more faithfully OF
the means of. grace ena+ aayf.1
"I will do any thing on, earth, you
want me to, Hetty,p eAleck responded
with alaerity. "pH go to meeting
every Sunday if you'll let me sit beside
you, and look over the same hymn
book. Ding it all, I'll turn missionary
to the cannibals. if you will, and 60 of
to Injy, or any other place where they
eat human beefsteaks I could go te
Jail with you, Hetty, and think myself
a happy man. ~ -
"You make light of serious things
said Hetty, very gravely taking up ths
hem OF her apron, and putting it to
gether in 1ittle folds. Then she hap
pened to glance out Of the window al
the yellow-wheeled sulky, which was
abominable in her eyes Alexis sorre
horse was backing in the ills, impatient
Tor the appearance of his master. ssWe
don't think alike, AIeck,' she con
tlnued, looking down at red stripe ir
/ the carpet; "and fear we shall neve,
agree on the most important things
| know how large and generous youl
heart is, and prize its worth. but, l. car
/ ~ fanI III - - - -