The Lincoln County herald., 1872-07-31
"a Wonaa at che DoIten Of H.,
From Woods Household Magazine

iauu, u nc tnsew ms evening paper aside,
and faced the little group in the parlor,
III am fast growing tired Of tho text--.A
woman at the bottom Of it, 1t would
be strange in this world, made up, as 20
are aware, Of nothing but tho two sexes.
if woman would not bs found occa
sionally at the bottom Of a serape. A
woman, mind you, 10 never accus.d of
being at tho bottom Of anything that is
coed 1t is the injustice of the thing
that makes me angry. Now there ore
hundreds of US poor fellows who owe all
we have, all We are. aud all We hope to
become, in this world or the next, to the
unselfsh love Of woman"
The gsntleman's face wa, flushed and
he spoke very warmly and free ly, 90
much SO that his wife, rocking her baby
to sleep iu the further end OF the room,
inquired
But what should you care, John2 1t
has always been SO, and always will be-.
We don't think much about it now, te.
cause we have been taught to expect it,"
"But you should care and you should
| fight for each other more than you do.
There 10 ono chapter in my life's history
that have always kept locked up in my
heart, but to night feel as if 1t were 10 y
duty to open it for your inspection; and
| DO it for love Of wonan-for the love
Of one woman who made me what am
worthy to bo the husband Of good
woman"
"Why John" interrupted Mrs. Havi-
land, softly approaching--baby still held
tightly to her bosonl-"you absolutely
frighteu me-
Lets have your story" said the rest
Of the group, certain that something good
might be anticipated and John com.
mencsd, at first little timidly, but gain.
ing confidence as he advanced.
When first came to New York, at the
age of twenty years, to seek my fortune,
l can call myself prococious chap, with
out danger Of being accused of au unu
sual degree Of self appreciation. I was
quick to learn everything, the bad as
we'll as the good. My employer used
prolano languase-1 picked up the oaths
he dropped which surprised even myself
The boys iu the office all cbewed tobacco
This was little the hardest job l aver
attempted; but aftor two weeks Of nausea
and indescribable stomach wrcnchipgs, l
camo off victorious, and coAlld get away
with my paper day with the best of
them.
"Oh, john" Interrupted Mrs. Havi-
land, her pretty face all drawn up into
knots"
"True, every word of it," continued
the speaker.
Ono afternoon / was sent with noto
from my employer to house in tEs
upper part Of tho city. l hadn't any.
thing to read, but l had plenty of to-
bacco, and with that proposed to enter
tain myself during the two or three hours
that | must spend in the passage. For
some distance | did not notice who were
beside me, bu. by and by lady said very
softly aud very pleasantly; Would you
please, little boy, be more careful am
going 10 party this afternoon, and l
should hato very much to have NY dress
spoiled
l looked into her face. 1t was the
sweetest face ever saw. Pale, earnest
aud loving to my boyish heart it was
the couRtenance Of an angel.
What in the world did you say ?"
interrupted Mrs. Haviland, her bright
eyes filing with tears, as she saw how
the memory of this beauriful woman af-
footed her husband.
"Say There was very little I could
say. l think all I did for some time
was to look. managed to dispose Of
the tobacco, however, and wiped my
mouth very carefully, all of which l felt
certain she saw and mentally cemmsutsd
upon"
"Havo you mother, little boy?" she
asked, in tho same low tones.
mo, ma'am," I answered, and I felt
my throat fll up, and knew l mus.
swallow mighty fast to keep from
sobbing.
"You have father then, / suppose p
she kept on.
"No, ma'am, ne father"
"Brothsrs and sisters ?"
"All alone, maam."
| 'loW long mas your motheE oeou
dead ?" and the dear woman looked away
from my face and waited till | could
speak.
"Two years. l answered.
"And you love her 2" came next.
dearly" was oil could say.
She was silent for moment, aud she
said 60 swostly-Sh l shall never for
get it.
"And what do you think your dear
mother would ssy-how do you think
sne would fesl-to know her little boy
was guilty of such disgusting habit as
this?" pointing to my cheek where the
tell tale cud had vainly tried to stand Its
ground.
II must leave now" she continued
"but here is my card. and if you can come
to me most every evening, l shall be
glad to see you and perhaps We can be
Of service to each other"
She gave mo her hand, and to my
| Jn;no. A. .b,ll noyas corooe tha soDaa.