Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-11-13
THE PRESCRIPTION.

IBE PRESCRIPTION.
81 wish Jon would tell James. when h,
comes in. to turn the cows into she lowe
lot. And IL Turpin calls, tell him I bav,
concluded to take those sheep-i want tn.
serinos. And while / am getting ready
please take my memorandum book and
note down four harness straps. Eve pound,
of nails. gimlct. half jockey strap. and
-and-yes. believe that is all. l for.
got them when made out the items thi.
morning"
Mrs. Streetcr rose wearily, laid her
sleeping babe carefully in its crib, and
proceeded to record the articles named -
She vas youug. not ovsr twr4ay i've. bul
the complexion was sadly faded. and faint
lines were already marking the white FORE
head. while the tired eyes told Of care, and
limited strongly of an unsatisfed heart.
Aud this thin checked, pink Tipped wo-
man had been called beauty only seven
years before! And when she gave her
hand to Newton Streeter. she could say.
what so few girls can, i married my first
love-
Judge S,reeter, the father. was suppos-
cd TO be wealthy. but soon after his sons
marriage. n financial crisis came on, and
the thousands dwindled into hundreds.
II was false pride. perhaps. but the
young man -hrank from n position under
those who had once looked up to him
Ills thought turned wistfully toward the
western prairies. He expected objections
from his young and accomplished wife,
ut she saw with his own eyes, aud was
not only willing but eager to go and help
him to make home that should be their
own. The purchasing of prairie team,
some farming implements. aud the expense
Of building n small house. exhausted his
capital. and the young couple began their
married life rs many others had done who
had hot been blessed with their advanta-
ges. The small dwelling house contained
but three sleeping apartments. and this
fact. added to their uncertain Income. in
duccd Mrs. Ssreetcr to take upon herself
Two children had come in the seven
years 10 nestle in her bosom; bu. one. u
fairy child Of three summers, had slid
away from them. and was now sleeping
beneath the flowers Of the prairie; and the
tired wife had sighed as she looked on the
cold. folded hands
.She will never toll as I have done;
but, oh wanted her so much" the lone
IL mother solbed forth.
Mr.. Strceter was now considered veal
thy farmer. His acres had broadened.
and his stock increased. Physically and
mentally strong. and with a gentle. loving
wife ever studying his tastes and wishes.
why should he wear ont fast?
But OF her? Naturally frail. she had
been ike willow. bending beneath bur-
den voluntarily taken up. With the ex.
ccption Of an efficient girl for few weeks
when little Mary died. she had performed
all the labor required in the house siuce
she became its mistress.
Newton S,rcctcr took the memorandum,
glanced hastily at the newly written items.
and then stepped into his light buggy and
drove away.
But no longer might she lingcr, for the
sponge was waiting in the kitchen to be
kneaded. and the baby's maps were like
angels visits. Before the task was well
over. his bugle sounded to arms. aud the
fretful child was taken up and carressed
and soo,hed to quictness and rest
She was conscious Of a strange dizzi-
ness. When she arose from a STOPPING
position. her head was aching miserably.
and her eyes seemed burning. What was
coming over her? She must be i'll. Oh !.
10; she had no time for that. And then
her thoughts drifted away to the dear old
home of childhood. and she asked herself.
for the first time If she had done wisely to
leave i. for this life of toll and care.
II was n dangerous question for wife
mother. and she claspcd her child more
closely to suppress in her hear. the dis
loyal answer.
When Dir. Streeter returned. exultant
over the dollars he had deposited in the
bank. he found no supper prepared, his
wife helpless upon her bed. her cheeks
flushed with fever. and the wailing child
disirac,ing her with demands for care.
A physician and nurse were soon sum-
moned from the city. and the weary wife
enjoyed the luxury Of being i'll :!
But eonva!escence soon followed. and
before leaving his patient. the old doctor.
close observer aud deep thinker. took
the husband aside and said:
do you know vba, brought that fever
on your wife. Mr.. Stree'er! You have
worked her nearly to death"
"You arc speaking Of my wife, not my
horse"
Granted; aud say again. you are
working her 10 death"
Really, doctor. such language is un-
pardonable."
And You will pardon il; and. furth-
ermore, by your great lore for the self
sacrificing woman We have jus, left, shal.
perform an operation ON your eyes. that
you may see even what | see"
And then be placed the cold. hard facts
before him. from the time she became his
bride. beautiful and accomplished up to
the date Of her present illness, in which
domestic cares only haunted her in her fe-
verish dreams. In concluding. he added /:
IL truly believe. il she takes up her
old burdens ., cues. that before year has
passed. the grave or tie insane asylum