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


fully. "But the expense, Newton. 1t would
put us back so much.'
Yes, there it is; the old doctor was
right" he thought. And then aloud: sDo
you know what went to the city for the day
you were illa"
ITO deposit some money for more land,
think you said" she replied YEARLY.
Yes, but do not need that land. have
far more than can cultivate now And you
shall have that money-or, at least all you
want of it-and go home and stay this sum-
mer and try to get some of your bloom
back"
"And you?n
"Never fear for me. Only hurry and get
well to travel, and will either go with you,
or place you in the hands of kind friends, and
you shall be sheltered in the old homenest
this summer. l shall write to-day that you
are coming" ~
Mrs. Streeter could hardly believe it was
not one of her feverish dreams.
But it all came about in good time, and she
arrived safely at home, where she was petted,
caressed .and cared for to her hearts content.
You are all trying to spoil me, " she would
expostulate; III shall never be fit for farm
er's wife any more.''
''And why not, pray?" asked a younger
sister, as she tangled a spray of apple blooms
among hercurls."
.There, if you ever put your hair up in the
ugly knot you wore when you came home,
r.. III. r..
.sPinch the baby" suggested Fred. +
No. he shall never suffer for the sins Of
his parents and she ran off with the house,
hold pet as was her wont, to relieve the moth
Ell of all care"
And thus among loving friends, riding,
walking, and, when at home, reading, music,
and writing long letters to her husband, the
summer months passed swiftly away.
And now he had written that he was COM
ing, and she was counting the days that must
elapse ere she should look on his face and be
clasped to his heart. She was eager to go
now. Her holiday was over. Health had re-
turned, and not for an instant did she shrink
from The old life.
And when the husband came and saw the
wonder one summer had wrought, he again
told himself that the good old doctor was
right.
A few days were given to the old friends
Judge Streeter had recovered his equipoisc
in the financial world-and then they turned
their face towards their Western home.
1t was evening when they arrived, and the
wife looked with woeful bewilderment OH
the change. 1t was not her home, and yet it
should be. A handsome front had been adj
ded TO the old building, and before she had
time to question she was ushercd into n par
lor--a parlor newly furnished and already
lighted. An elegant piano stood in a recess
evidently constructed for its reception, and on
it lay a card with the initials of Judge Stree
ter, and the words, "to my daughter"
She turned toward her husband to assure
thing or somebody else. But the merry
twinklng in his eye told her that he was ell
.joying her surprise, and slowly she began to
realize the whole situation. Yes, now she
understood his strange reluctance to mention
what he had been doing, and his willingness
10 DdVc lleE Ieiliitlli, CNcu ullcl Biz lidu VA
pressed her anxiety to return.
"Come, have more to show YOU" and he
showed her into large commodious room,
furnished for her own sleeping apartment,
even to her baby's crib.
"This is for you. And now lay aside your
dusty garments and prepare for tea. 1t must
have been ready an hour ago. l will go and
see''
When he returned he found his wife sitting
in her little rocker and weeping silently
"Have / wounded where / wished to
heal?"
"Forgive me, said she smiling; " am q
goose, but tired winged one, you know.
And am so happy to be at home and in
such home, that have no words in which
to tell my happiness"
lie stopped to kiss her offered lips, and then
went out, leaving her to prepare for the even
ing meal.
At the table she found a neat, tidy girl, who
took charge of the child. And thus the new
life began. And what different life it was
busy, not burden. Time for the wants of the
mind as well as the body. Good help III the
kitchen all the time q sewing machine in the
sitting room, a piano in the parlor, and
choice reading for any leisure hour.
The farm was an unfailing source of in
come, fully defraying all expenses each year
and showing balance in favor.
.Been improving, see," said Doctor Nee
ker, as he refined his light carriage up to the
neat fence behind which Mr.. Streeter was pre-
pairing bed of turnips."
"Yes, doctor. Come in !? Z"
professionally or socially"
Socially. ! want to show you all the i'm
provemcnts. Here, Mary, the doctor wants
to see you.o
And as she came to greet him, rosy with
health and happiness, he nodded his head at
her husband EYES, that will do, and then
CHANGING at the open piano, 81 am going to
stay just long enough to hear one tune played.
Will YOU favor me?'' And with the old
school gallantry, fitted SO awkwardly to his
brusque manners, he led her to the instru-
ment and stood, hat in hand, while she play
ed. "There thank you. have cut of my
own supplies. No more fees for me here,