The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-10-22

ing and planning TO aUu 10 Ills airceuy Ah"iy
acres. Physically and mentally strong, he
grappled with toll and it had hardly left a
mark on his splendid physique--bronzed
little, and with a gentle, loving wife ever
studying his tastes and wishes, why should
he wear out fast +?
But of her? Naturally frail, she had been
like willow bending beneath a burden vol
unfairly taken up. With the exception of an
efficient girl for a few weeks when little Mary
died, she had performed all the labor requir-
ed in the house since she had become its mis-
tress.
AS girl, she was a great reader and eX-
travagantly fond of music. But there was no
room in the small dwelling for piano, and
books only added to her labor by accumulat-
ing dust, for where was the time?
know that this is dreary picture for a
farmers wife but perhaps there is another
side.
Newton Streeter took the mem brandt m,
glanced hastily at the neatly written items,
and then said
"One thing more Mary, and then I'm off,
iNsiS0 oSN Ohio ouitoh ~ iietio NiooCi' chi
The loose button was confined to its place,
and then Mary Strectcr watched her husband
as he stepped into the light buggy and drove
away.
But no longer might she linger, for the
sponge was waiting in the kitchen to he
kneaded, and the baby Snaps were like angels
visits And before her task was well over his
bugle note sounded to arms, and the fretful
child was taken up, and caressed and soothed
to quietness. But he would not go down
again, back and forth from the hot kitch IN
she carried him, as she watched the loaves
browning in the oven.
She was conscious of a strange dizziness
when she arose from a STOPPING position, her
head xfas aching miserably and her eyes SEEM
ed burning. What was coming over her p
She must be i'll Oh no-shc had no time
for that ! And then her thoughts dfifted
away to the dear old home of childhood. And
she asked herself for the first time if she had
done wisely in leaving it for this life of toll
and care.
1t was dangerous position for wife and
mother, and she clasped her child more
closely to suppress in her heart the disloyal
answer.
She heard Jones, the hired man, come in,
and recollecting the message for him, arose,
but that unaccountable giddiness seized her,
and she shrank back utterly powerless.
When Mr. Streeter returned, exultant ov-
er the thousand dollars he had deposited to
purchase another tract of land--he found no
supper prepared, and his wife helpless upon
the wailing child distracting her with demands
for care.
A physician and nurse were soon summon
ed from the city, and the weary wife enjoyed
the luxury of being ill.
But convalescence soon followed, and be-
fore leaving his patient the old doctor, close
observer and deep thinker, took the hus-
band aside and asked
g Do you know what brought this fever
on your wife, Mr.. Streeter ."
"No," in a surprised tone.
Shall tell you :"
certainly, am anxious to know
you have worked her nearly to DEATH"
'You are speaking of my wife, not of my
horse"
"Granted, and say you are working her
to DEATH
Really, doctor, such language is unpar-
donable."
"And yet you will pardon it. And further
more, by your great love for the self-sacriii-
cling woman we have just left, shall perform
an operation on your eyes that you may see
even as | see''
And then, in his own peculiarly abrupt
manner, he placed the cold, hard facts before
him, from the time she came a bride,
beautiful and accomplished, up to the
date of her present illness, in which domestic
cares only had haunted her feverish dreams.
In concluding he added:
81 truly believe, that if she takes up her
old burden at once, that before year has
passed, the grave or the insane asylum will
receive her."
The strong man shuddercd.
" As heaven is my witness, sir, have only
permitted, not exacted, this sacrifice. She
voluntarily took her place by my side, and has
uncomplainingly kept step with me-"
"No, she has not kept step, to follow your
own figure. Unable to keep mp with your
long, rapid strides, she has fallen faint and
footsore by the way. And now you have but
to go back, and take her in your own strong
arms, and carry her awhile. | tell you she
must have rest for both mind and body or
will not answer for the result. And it would
be better if found away from here.''
=" Yes begin to comprehend; and it can
be away. And offering his hand, az will
take care, doctor, that you do not get chance
to administer another such dose to me-
"Then see that you do not need it" said
he dryly, as he mounted his horse and rode
away.
Mr. Streeter went back to the room where
his wife was sitting, propped up by pillows
and gush of unutterable tenderness swellet
in his heart as he glanced at her pale face ant
almost transparent hands. He sat down be
side her, and said softly:
You don't know how glad | am that yo'
are better"
''ThanlS you. Yes, | am almost well nov
shall soon be able to be in the kitchen.