Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-11-20

well, as she appeared on Sunday morninS
arrayed in her "old things,'' and 81
| though she took The pains to put the frst
! foot forward as she stepped into the car.
riage, Chester only thought, "What a nret.
ty little foot my wife has got"
His new broadcloth suit, so stout and
| firmly made, was warranted to last wear
at least, an what should he know Of q
wOman'S wants?
Monday morning Nellie scrubbed ont
her clothes with more than usnal
celerity for torturing thoughts make
ones hands move quickly; and the dav
before, while in Sabbath School
she had been Mortified to see
| that her impromptu cobbling was PROVING
| treacherous, and her boot gaping in deris,
ion. Il wonder if Chester expects NV
clothes will last forever" said she to her
self. maybe he expects IN ask him for
money, but | cannot! Oh, dear, | cannot,
| Haven't | ssraea anything, I'd like to
know? And isn't it right for him to give
me apart OF the gain? | guess | could
take care OF myself better than he does
it." and If few tears ran down her
checks, think it not strange, oh, We lovers
of independence.
That night, on his return from the vii.
lage, Chester tossed bundle into her lap,
SAYING;
"ive got some splendid cloth there for
a vest, Nellie; have always bought nv
clothing readymade, but I knew YOU
could make 1t so nicely-and it will save
two dollars.
Nellie told him she would try to do it.
and then, as if the thought had just oc-
CURED TO her, she added: "By the way,
{ | HOY !.
time this week"
We'll, I'd go to Stearns' and get some,
then, II | were you. He's Just got his
new goods" and Chester, unfolded his
newspaper and began to read Poor Mel
lie bit her lip, and wondered if other hus-
bands were as slow to take a hint as hers
was proving himself to be. She said not
another word, however, and the next
afternoon got ready for her shopping ex-
pedition-she could fortunately wear rub
bers-and waited for her liege lord to pro
vide her with the necessary funds.
But he sat writing at his desk, obliv-
i0us of all domestic cares, and at length
she said with an assumed nonchalence:
can you let me have some money,
Chcster?"
oh, yes, you haven't any, have you?"
and he drew out his wallet and began to
count the bills therein.
"Therc's five-that must 90 to Mr.
Jackson for the use of his team; and
three-my minister's tax exactly; and ten
that goes for new sleigh-robe; and two
you can have that, | guess" separating it
from the rest; "will that do?''
Nellic's face grew white and then red
and her heart beat so that she could
hardly answer; Il will try to make it."
Chester looked up, thinking her voice
did not sound just natural; but she had
turned toward the window.
'Iherc's some change you can have, too"
said he, adding several pieces Ofscrip to the
bill. She took the money, thrust it into her
purse, and walked rapidly away; but her
thoughts ran somewhat after this fashion:
and so my claim is last and least in his
estimation. | suppose that is the reason
that so many women grow so sort Of anti
quated; they hate to beg' Her husbands
ears would have tingled could he have
known these reflections, but rs it was, he
only looked after her and thought what
a fortunate fellow he was to get such
wife.
After purchasing an inferior pair of
boots, Mrs. Nellie found that She had
thirty cents remaining, which was speed
and she returned home resolved "to labor
and 10 watt u little while longer.
\ few days after this, as she was bend
ing over the table trying to cut out CheS-
ters vest Miss Eunice Perkins called,
and after few minutes desultory chat,
the worthy spinster drew from her pocket
Il paper, which she handed to Nellie, say
ing as she did so: We are trying to get
money to purchase a silk dress for a
Christmas present to our pastors wife.
As the gentlemen are trying to do some
thing for the pastor, we ladies intend to
get her dress among ourselves. Some
one reminded me to come to you; you
used to be SO liberal in your subscrip-
tons"
Nellie tried to read the well-known
names already on the paper, but film
seemed to come before her eyes, and she
felt the blood rushing to her checks. She
tried to smile, however, as she said: 4"
really haven't any money by me today,
Miss Perkins-and | can't tell you'll
think you need not rely on me for any
thing"
Miss Perkins gave a little feminine
shrek. "TheIe! there. now confess, Mrs.
Pomeroy; isn't it just as | to!d you? Can
you married ladies have half the indie
I1tuutnCc I4at we single one ) nave! anu
she tried to look very knowing.
Have | ever said but that have enough
of eycrything?" asked Nellie, with lit
tie of the dignity that used to subdue
troublesome boys.
"Oh no, of course not. Everybody
says you've got an ercellem husband; and
am sure | didn't mean anything. You
know it is my way to joke a little Occa-
sjonally, and you remember our little talk
about pin-money, and with continued
proteslations, Miss Perkins slid the paper
into her pocket again, and took ner de
parture Then Nellie put her head down
on the table and had good cry. When
Christmas came, she thought of the pretty
dressing gown she had made for Chester
the year before, when she was only cen
gaged;' and wished she could do as much
again, 'but what would a present be
worth, begged from his own pocket"" said
She
Chester's gift to her was a wringing-
machine. The year before, it was book
OF poems; but then, the machine was vast
" more useful, and given with an I'M
diminished affection she knew, only it
was so practical"
Nellie did not ask for any more money
during the winter, although once she
made a purchase while Chester leaned
over the counter to offer we'll meant ad-
vice, and then afterward paid for it from
his own pocket.
Not bat that he was acilIiRg to do this,
but she thought how much better 1t would