Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-09-11

cape the quick ear OF his wife, land the
burden must fall on YOU"
II wouldn't mind that so much, but"
She kept back the sentence that was on
her tongue.
'.But whats" asked her husband.
"John," said Mrs. Wheaton, drawing
herself up in resolute manner, and look
ing steadily into her husbands face, "as
things are going on"
Things shall go on differently" inter
rupted Wheaton. "I've thought that all
over.
"How differently, john"
"Oh! in every way. I'll turn over
new leaf.''
Wheaton saw light flash into his wife's
face.
"First and foremost, I'm not going to
lose any more days. Last month had
six days locked from my wages"
"Why, John?"
"Its true-more's the shame for me.
That was eighteen dollars, you see, not
counting the money fooled away in idle
company-enough to pay for all these
babies would eat and wear twice over"
"Oh, joint" There was something
eager and hopeful in his wife's face as
she leaned toward him.
'I'm in downright earnest, Jane" he
answered. "If you'll take the babies, Pll
do my part. I'll turn over new leaf.
| There shall be no more lost days; nomore
foolish wasting of money; no spending OF
evenings at McBride's."
| ooh, joint" In her surprise and de-
| light she could only repeat the exclama-
| ton. As she did so this time, she rose
| and putting her hands on his shoulders,
bent and kissed him on the forehead
you'll take the babies?" said he.
eyes, and twenty more, if you keep to
this, and say So" answered Jane, laugh
ing through tears.
| "All right then. It's bargain" And
| Wheaton caught his wife's hand and
shook it by way Of confirmation.
| From that time Wheaton turned over a
new leaf Neighbors expressed surprise
when it was told that Jane Wheaton had
| adopted the two orphan children. Eel
low-workmen tainted John, calling him
| soft-hearted, and fool, for taking other
mems brats"
One said to him: care four mouths
easier to fill than twoY'
Another: You'll be sick of all this
before the years out"
| And another: "Ill see you sold out by
| the constable in less than six months"
| but JODn Ddu llltlc W say III lcply
only maintaining an air of quiet good
humor, and exhibiting more interest in
| his work
For three weeks John had not lost a
day-something very unusual; and not
one evening during that time had he
spent at McBride's drinking-saloon. His
poor little home, which had come to have
neglected look, was putting on new APP
pearance. The gate that for months had
| hobbled on one hinge, now swung smooth
", and the mended latch held it shut.
Rank weeds no longer filled the door.yard !;
the broken steps were mended, and clean
panes of glass filled many place in the
sashes where had been unsightly rags and
sheets of paper. A neglected running
rose was trimmed, and was now pushing
out young green leaves and buds.
| Within, pleasant changes were also APP
parent Various new but inexpensive
articles of furniture were to be found.
Old things were mended, polished up and
wonderfully improved. With all this,
| marvellous to relate, Wheaton's earnings
had not only been equal to the increased
expenditure, but there was an actual sur
plus of ten dollars in hand
Il never would have believed it," said
John, as he and his wife sat one evening
talking over their improved condition at
ter the babies-loved now almost as if
| their own-were asleep. It's just as old
| Brown used to say Waste takes more
than want 1 declare I've got
heart In me again. | thought we
should have to let the place go; that I'd
| never be able to pay off the mortgage.
But here we are, ten dollars ahead in less
| than month; and going on at this rate,
we'll have all clear in eighteen months"
Next day a fellow-workman said to
! Wheaton, half in banter: didn't 1 see
the constable down your way yesterday"
81 shouldn't wonder" replied Wheaton,
with more gravity of manner than his
questioner had expected.
81 thought saw him looking around
after things, and counting his fees on his
| fingers"
"Likely as not" said Wheaton. 81
know Of good many rents not PAID up
last quarter Money gone to McBride's
| instead of to the landlord-eh ?"
The man WINGED a little.
"How are the babies" he asked.
"Firstrate," Wheaton answered, and
| with smile so real that his fellOw-work
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went on, and, to the surprise OF
all, Wheaton's circumstances kept I'M
proving. The babies had brought
blessing to his house. In less than eight
| teen months he had paid off the light
mortgage that for years rested on his little
home; and not only this, had improved it
in various ways, even to the putting up OF
| a small addition, so as to give them
neat breakfast-room.
iry "a / Gs IL 70 Dear Tho,
IL s. l 81 - 80