The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-10-16
THE PRESCRIPTION;
OR,
OUR GRANGER STORY.
Dedicated to the Husbands of Farmers TVives.

OUu Q4vA!sOAAo.
Dedicated to the Husbands of Farmers Vives.
"I wish you would tell James, when he
comes in, to turn the COWS into the lower iot
And if Turpin calls, tell him have concluded
to take those sheep-I want the. merinos:: And
while I am getting ready, please take my
memorandum book and note down four harness
straps, FIVE pounds of nails, and gimlet, halt
Jockey strap and-and-yes, believe that is
ali. forgot them when made out the items
this morning" Mrs Streeter rose wearlly,
laid her sleeping babe carefully in its crib, and
proceeded to record the articles named. She
was young-not over twenty-hve-but the COM
plexion was sadly faded, and faint lines were
already marking the white forehead, while the
tired eyes told of care, and hinted strongly OF
an unsatisfed heart.
And this thin-cheeked, pink-lipped woman
had been called beauty only seven years be-
fore! And when she gave her hand to New
ton Streeter, she could say what so few girls
can: "I married my first love-"
Judge Streeter, the father, was supposed to
Ae wealthy. But soon after his sons marriage
8 financial crisis came, and the thousands
dwindied into hundreds
It was false pride, perhaps, but the young
man shrank from a position under those who
had once looked up to him. And his thoughts
turned Wistfully toward the Western prairies.
He expected objections from his young and &C.
complished wife. But she saw with his eyes,
and was not only Wiling but eager to 60 and
help him make home that should be all their
ewn. The purchasing Of prairie team, some
farming implements, and the expenses OF build.
ing q small house, exhausted his capital-and
the young couple began their married ilfe as
many Others had done who had not been blessed
with their advantages. The small dwelling
contained but three sleeping apartments, and
this fact added to their uncertain income, in
come, induced Mrs. Streeter to take upon her
self The entire care of the household.
Two children had come in the seven years
to nestle in her bosom. But one, 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 have done; but, oh,
T wanted her so much" the lonely mother"
sobbed forth.
MIR. Streeter was now considered wealthy
farmer. His acres had broadened and his stock
increased. Physically and mentally strong,
and with 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 burden vol
UNFAIRLY taken up. With the exception OF
nan efficient girl for few weeks when little
ouired in the house since she became its mis-
tress. g..
Newton Streeter took the memorandum,
glanced hastily at the neatly written items,
and then he stepped into the light buggy and
drove away.
But no longer might she linger, for the
sponge was waiting in the kitchen to be knead-
ed and the baby's maps were like angels
visits. And before the task was well over his
bugle note sounded to arms, and the fretful
child was taken up and caressed and soothed
to euietness.
She was conscious of a strange dizziness
When she arose from STOPPING position her
kead was aching miserably and her eyes seem
ed burning. What was coming over her? She
must be i'll. Oh, no; she had no time for that !
And then her thoughts drifted away to the
dear old home of childhood and she asked
wisely to leave it for this life of toll and care
It was q dangerous question for wife
mother, and she clasped her child more
closely to suppress in her heart the disloyal
answer.
When Mr.. Streeter returned, exultant over
the dollars he had deposited in the bank, he
found no supper prepared, and his wife helpless
upon the bed, with cheeks flushed with fever,
and the wailing child distracting her with
demands for care.
A physician and nurse was soon summoned
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 husband
aside, and asked:
'Do you know what brought this fever on
your wife, Mr.. Streetec? You have worked her
nearly to death"
''You are speaking Of my wife, not my
horse"
"Granted; and I say again, you are working
her to death"
"Really, Doctor, such language is unpardon-
able."
"And yet you will pardon it. And further
more, by your great love for the self-sacrifcing
woman we have just left, l shall perform an
operation ON your eyes that you may see even
IS see."
And then he placed the cold, hard facts be-
fore him, from the time she became bride
beautiful and accomplished to the village up
to the date of present illness, in which do
n,estic cares only had haunted in her feverish
dreams. In concluding he added:
u truly believe, if she takes up her old bur:
dens at once, that before the wear has passed
the grave or the insane asylum will receive
her"