The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-10-28

heart, and filled it with loving interest.
After nightfall, when supper was over,
and the children asleep, Mr.. and Mrs.
Wheaton sat down together, each showing
little reserve and embarrassment. Mrs.
Wheaton was the first TO speak.
"What were you thinking about, John?"
said she, almost sharply. 81 can't have
these children"
Wheaton did not lift his eyes, nor an
swer, but there was a certain dogged and
resolute air about him that his wife no
ticed as unusual.
"Somebody else must take them," she
said.
"The county will do it," Wheaton re-
piled.
"The countyr'
eyes. There's room for them at the
almshouse, and nowhere else, that know
of, unless they stay here"
"Unless they stay here p Mrs. Wheat
on's voice rose a little. "It's easy enough
to say that-but who's to take care of
them ?"
It's great undertaking. know" an
swered the husband, meekly, yet with
new quality in his voice that did not escape
the quick ear of his wife, "and the burden
must fall on you"
81 wouldn't mind that so much, but"
She kept back the sentence that was on
her tongue.
"But what ?' asked her husband.
Tnbr - caid Mrc Wbaoton drayy;yor
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, L" I've thought that all
over"
"How differently, John? ?"
"Oh in every way. I'll turn over a
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 docked from my wages"
"Why, John p'
cts 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. ba-
bies would eat and wear, twice over"
oh, John p There was something ca
ger and hopeful in his wife's face, and she
leaned toward him.
"l'm in downright earnest, Jane" he
answered. If you'll take the babies, I'll
do my part I'll turn over new leaf.
There shall be no more lost days no more
foolish spending of money no spending of
evenings at McBride's.
"Oh, John w In her surprise and de-
light, she could only repeat the exclama-
tion. AS she did SO this time, she rose,
and putting her hands on his shoulders,
bent and kissed him ON the forehead.
I" You'll take the babies ?" said he.
" Yes, and twenty more, if you keep this
and say So" answered Jane, laughing
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
new leaf. Neighbors expressed surprise
when it was told that Jane Wheaton had
adopted the orphan children. Fellow
workmen taunted John, calling him soft
hearted, and fool, for "taking other
mems brats."
One said to him. " Are four months cas-
ier to fill than two?'
Another you'll be sick of all this be-
fore the years out"
And another: "I'll see you sold out by
the constable in less than six months"
But John had little to say in reply--only
maintaining an air Of quiet good humor,
and exhibiting more interest in his work.
For three weeks John Wheaton had not
lost 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
a neglected look, was putting on new ap-
pearance The gate that for months had
hobbled on one hinge, now swung smooth
ly, and the mended latch held it shut.
Rank weeds no longer filled the door-yard ;
panes Of glass filed many place in the
sashes where had been unsightly rags and
sheets OF paper A neglected running rose
was trimmed, and trained to it's proper
place over the doorway, and was now
pushing out young green leaves and buds.
Within, pleasant changes were also APP
parent Various new but Inexpensive ar.
ticlesof furniture were to be found. Old
things were mended, polished up and won