Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-20
asst consented, and the school was en-

gagged
With unfaltering courage, and feeling
OF her old independence, Nellie com
menced her work; busy from morning
unlil night, and happier than ever, until
at the end ofthe fourth week, Chester fell
from the beams of the barn and broke his
leg. Then she wanted to give it up; but
alter few days interruption, he insist
eu upon her resuming it. Then, poor
fellow! he had nothing to do but lie
on the parlor sofa and watch the
ROAD to the school-house door, and the
hands OF the clock creeping around at a
shall pace, measuring off the time for
her return. Yes, he had his farm to worry
ABOUT, also; and the help" and Mr.
IoidthWalts next payment. He knew
tnat everything was being neglected, and
on, now he longed for the use of his help,
less limb once more! But one day, as he
was Trying to plan and calculate for the
payment, he happened to think ofNellie's
MY dollars; and then his mind was at
RESI-, tor he felt sure it would be sufficient
10 make up all deficiencies. The school
was finished at last and Mr. Stanly
promptly gave Nellie the promised
wages, saying as he did so that she had
earned double the sum, which was sweet
music in her ears. Tears of gratitude
hlled her eyes, and as she hurried home
she felt at least an inch taller than usual
Chester began to hobble about on
crutches during the harvest season, onlv
70 md, as he had feared, that the farm
had been neglected, and was not going to
meet his expectations of the spring He
could not complain of Nellie's work, how
ever, for she had not let the dairy suffer;
so that from that, and the other sources,
he could nearly meet the five hundred dol
lar payment. "Nellie's money would lust
make it out, | Think" said he to himself;
but although he limited again and again
OF the lack, and her ability to meet it, she
was strangely slow to understand, and
would lnnocently inquire, What can you
do, CheSter?'
He was too proud to ask her outright
Tor her hard-earned money, but he thought
halt-angrily, "Why doesn't she ofer it ?
she ought to know | need it." But he did
not know how often she longed to do it,
only being restrained by her determina-
ton that he should ask and find out how
good it seemed.
One day peremptory note from Mr..
Goldthwait, saying that the payment was
due, and must be made before night,
brought matters to a crisis
Nellie saw the messenger who brought
the unwelc0me note, and saw her husband
as he leaned against the garden fence 10
read it, and pitied him SO much that she
wanted to rush out with her offering at
once; but he turned toward the house, and
she sat down quietly to her sewing; not
look mn no
crutch coming thump, thump across the
floor
"Nellie, it's just as | feared. Hear
this :" and then he read the missive with
its cruel thrust, that unless the money
was brought that night, Mr. Goldthwait
would take the place
isn't that too bad What will YOU do?"
asked Nellie. sympathizingly
can't make up the five hundred I'M
less you let me have your money, now
that is a fact" was the desperate answer.
Well, | will see what can do,' said
Nellie, cooIly, as she brought forth her
treasure.
There is ten, that will buy a new dress :;
and ten, q cloak; and five, hat or bon
net; and ten-I shall need Chat for boots,
gloves, and other little things [ think |
can let YOU have fifteen dollars" looking
up innocently. \ grieyed look spread all
over Chcster's face; the corners of his
mouth began to twitch and if he had not
been man, and six feet high, he would
have cried
"Nellie." that was ali he could say
'What?" and then Nellie had both
arms around his neck, and the bills were
all thrust into his nand. II meant YOU
should have them all, she sobLcd.
what made you act so, then: how
couId you be 500 provoking:" said
Chester.
Then Mrs. Nellie sat up very straight,
and said she, Did you hate to ask me for
that money, Chester"
You kn01o | did, was the answer.
"Well, why haven't you asked for it be-
fore?'
because, you hneao l wanted it days
and days ago; and | thought you ought
to after it. Of course, | didn't want to
come to you like some old beggar," said
Chester
Nellie clapped her hands. want to
tell you little story now" said She.
There was once girl who had always
earned her money, and fought her way
in the world alone, and succeeded well,
too.
But she was foolish enough to get mar
ried; and then she had TO work twice Us
hard as ever before, and have double the
care; but for all that she never received
single penny without asking her husband
for it; nor did she spend one without his
knowing what she received in return.
Now this was very humiliating; and
sometimes she would think she never
could ask again; and then she would cry
and cry, and oh, Chester, you don't know
how | haze cried, it seemed-so," and
Nellies head went down again.
"Why, Nellie, why, darling. | never
thong ht-why, did you feel like that? But
its diterc5at you know, with you. Women
never-why they erpect to ask their hus-
bands
at isn't one bit different, either" cried
Nellie, dashing the tears away. Il am as
sensitive as you are; and there's nothing
dread worse than asking for money.
Hundreds Of women feel just 50, too, only
its the custom for them to be domestic
beggars, and they dislike to make fuss;
but I'd like to hear one say she admires
the custom.
"Why haven't we a right to use part
Of our earnings after, as well as before we
are married? -
''Well, you have. But I supposed you
would ask for what You wanted. My
mother always"
But YOU see now how hard it is to ask
for what YOU feel ought to be freely gioen,'
his wife. "Of course [ feel
as anxious to pay off our debt as you do,
so T wou1d not he pytraV2uant. but if |