Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-09-23
MlscEILAaEou Gus.
THE PRESCRIPTION,

- . .
st3 WISH you would tell James, when he
- comes in. to turn the cows in to the lower
lot. And if Turpiu calls tell him have COM
cluded to take those sheep. 1 went the
Merinos. And, while AIN getting ready.
please take my memorsndum- book and note
down four harness-s,raps. FIVE pounds of nsils.
and eimiet, half jnckey,strap, and-aud
yes, believe that is all. forgot them when
l made out the items this morning"
Mrs. Streeter rose YEARLY, laid her sleep>
ing babe carefully in its crib, and nroceeded
to record the articles named. She was Young
not over twenty five, but the complexion
was sadly faded. and faint lines were already
marking the white forehead while the tired
eyes told of care and hinted strongly of an un.
satisfied heart.
And this thin checked, pink >lirped woman
had been called beauty only seven wears
before! And when she gave her hand to
Newton Streeter, she could say whs. so few
girls of even eighteen can II married nv
first love"
Judge Streeter, the father, was supposed
to be wealthy. But soon after his sons mar
rlage financial crisis came, and his thousands
dwindied into hundreds
1t was false pride, perhaps, but the young
man shrank from a position under those who
tl. tNOuUbfS
turned wistiuliy towards the western prairies.
Ho expected objections from his yonnp and
accomplished wife. But she saw with his
eyes, and was not Only willing. but eager to
20 and help him make home tha. should he
all their own. The purchasing of a prairie
team some farming implements, and the ex-
rense OF building small house, exhausted
h'sentire capital and tie young couple begsu
their married life as many others had done
who had not heen blessed with their ad yam
fages. The small dwelling contained hut
three sleeping apartments, md this fact added
t" their uncertain income, induced Mrs. Stree.
ter tn take upon herself the entire care of the
household.
Two children had come in the seven wears
to nestle in her bosom. But one. fniry child
of three summers. had slid awav from them.
aud was now slecring beneath the flowers Of
the prairie. And the tired wife had sighed
as she looked on the cold. folded hands.
"She will mover toll as I have done; but
oh. L wanted her 30 much" the lonely mother
sobbed forth.
MIR. Sirceter was now considered wealthy
farmer. His acres had broadeued and his
stock increased. Physically and mentally
strong, and with a gentle, loving wife ever
studying his tastes and wishes. WHY should
he wear out fast ?
But of her: Naturally frail, she had beea
like willow, beudine beneath burden vol,
UNFAIRLY taken up. With the execution of an
efficient girl for few weeks when little Mary
died, she had performed all the labor required
IN the house since she became its mistress
Newton Streeter took the memorandum.
glanced hastily at the neatly written items
aud then he stepped into the light buggy and
drove away.
But no longer might she linger, for the
sponge was waiting in the kitchen to be
kneaded, and the baby's uans were like angels
visits. And before her task was well over his
bugle note sounded to arms, and the fretful
child was taken up, and carcssed and soothed
to quietness.
She was concious of a strange dzziness-
When she arose from STOPPING position her
head was aching miserably, and her eyes
seemed burning. What was coming over her?
She must be i'll Oh! no-she had no time
for that! And then her thoughts drifted
away to. the dear old home of childhood -
And she asked herself for the 6rst time il she
had done wisely in leaving it for this life of
toll and care
1t was a dangerous question for a Wife
mother, and she clasped her child more closely
to suppress in her heart the disloyal answer
When Mr.. Streeter returned exultant over
the dollars he had deposited in the bank, he
found no supper prephred. and his wife heIp>
less upon the bed, wish cheeks flushed with
fever, and the wailing child dis,racting her
with demands for care.
Aphysician and nurse were soon summoned
from the city, and the weary wife enjoyed the
luxury of being ill.
But convalescence soon fnllowcd and, be-
fore leaving his patient, the old docter, close
observer and deep thinker, took the husband
aside and asked
''Do you know what brought this fever on
your wife, Mr.. Streeter? You have worked
her nearly to DEATH
eYou are speaking of my wife, no. my
horse
''Granted and I say again, you are work
ing her to DEATH"
"Really, doctor, such language is unpar-
donable"
.'And yet you will pardon it. And fur
thermore, by your great love for the self-sac-
rifcing woman we have just left, shall per-
form an operation on your eyes that you may
see, even as see"
And then he placed the cold, hard facts
before him, from the time she came bride,
beautiful and accomplished. to the village. up
to the date of her present illness, in which
IoTnestir l<, 6a1 7. r.