The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-08-28

Half a Million Dollars Weighed agains
Baby.
! By ALICE RINGsBURY COOLEY.
A young wife sat gazing wistfull,
into the fire.
That afternoon friend had visit
ed her, whom she had known in he
school days. They were married
too, on the same night; one for love
the other for-well-money. Sh
had been dressy, chatty and gay
fairly deluging Helen with an &C
count of the beautiful things she had
and the parties and operas she hat
attended.
But then, you have this dear littl
Cupid she Lad said, 'and he make
amends for many things you lack
does he not?'
%, yes but you see, my darling
husband (they had been married {
little over year, has to work 8,
hard and for such pittance, too, b.
does not have time to take his Dime
at home, and many day / do no
see him from early morning till lat,
at night
20, poor dear! and see how hare
your hands are getting; it is too bad
no servants, no nurses, no pretty
dresses; well, you did not make
very good bargain, after ALL
But love my husband she hat
said sweetly /; and her friend replied
NO doubt you do, but you are
tied down SO by little Cupid here
that you can 60 nowhere and have
no enjoyment outside of your littl,
home which by the way, is cos,
enough if it isn't elegant. But, afte
all, think l would rather have my
half million than your baby
So she had left her thinging, ant
as her husband did not come hom,
at the usual hour, she had tim,
enough to make herself very misera
BILE; you know we can think our
selves into great deal of imaginary
unhappiness. That is one of the
ways Satan finds some mischief still
etc. .------.--------- -1.
By and by, the baby awoke anc
for once his cries irritated her, anG
she took him up with a jerk, tha
made him cry still louder.
Gross babyr she said, petulantly
and sat down without trying t.
amuse or feed him.
So he DRIED himself to sleep again
and she sat thinking until she fel
herself a much abused, and misera
BILE woman.
Rap-rap, came at the door, anG
before she could open it, In walked
an elegant lady.
'I've come for the baby she said
'What baby p
why, that ? pointing to the bah,
in her lap. Didn't you wish, JUS
now, for half a million instead @
him?'
90 no, l.
You did You shall have tn
money to morrow, and I'll take tn,
baby
Il can't, indeed Il
% yes, you can ; your fine clothe
and parties will soon satisfy you. HI
will be well take.l care Of and tn
baby held out his arms.
H. but there was somethins
strange about the lady's that seemed
to compel her, sc. she laid the bab,
in her arms.
Now, get me his Clothes
She did SO.
o, let me keep a shoe, stocking
and one of his dear little shirts,
she asked pitlfully.
Not one,' the lady replied.
Just this little stocking, then,' sh'
pleaded. 'I've kissed his little fee
SO often. Only stocking
| So the lady flung shoe, stocking
and shirt in her lap and was gone.
She ran to the window to call he
back, for she did not even know he
name, or where she could 60 to se
her boy. But, too late ! She sa
down again very, very miserable, til
her thoughts turned to the promised
half million.
| = Now her dear husband would no
have to work so hard. She coult
have him, too. every evening. Thel
what cozy little dinners they coul,
have. Hal, was fond of somethin,
nice, but, poor fellow, he didn't OF
ten get it, His old mother, dea
soul, shall come and live with rs.
can get along with her, if she is m
mother-in.law.'
So she mused.
Then her friends highly colore,
pictures of balls, operas and parties
came into her mind, and she though
she would enjoy them too, 4A -
| A quick step aroused her. 'Ot
| what will Harry say And sh
turned pale when she jumped up t
give her kiss of welcome.
The shoe, stocking and shirt fel
to the floor.
'Ah, just put old Club to bed p
81
well, wifey, kept you waiting
haven't /? Couldn't help it. The
are so busy at the store. | am hur
CRY, / can tel you. Haven't ha
time to eat since breakfast I8
So Ellen took the frying pan fror
the fender and put it back on the fir
for few moments, and the sauce
pan with the potatoes, so they wei
soon smoking hot on his plate, an
he ate with a will, but she scarcel
tasted anything except it be half
cup of tea. @.r
Wv hats the matter, Nellie ? Bee
hungry so long that you've lost y Oh
appetite ? Don't wait so long, pc
another time.' . = lave g {
You know Harry that / do NJ
like to eat without you; the foo
doesn't taste near so good. ~ - )
sHow quiet Club sleeps. He dot
not even move; and he's terrible
that; takes after you, pet eh p an
he laughingly pinched her chin. Bl
she couldn't smile. q99d u
why what's the matter with yo
tonight Not i'll, are you, Nell 2
%, it's nothing, Il
Just a little blue, eh saBecause
did come home sooner? You wi
get over it in Q minute or two.'
Aud he walked to the crib and pl
back the little lace curtains that Oh
had knit, Al6E
mot heref Oh ! you've put hi