The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-07-04
EMPORIA NEWS.
FRIDAY, July A, 1873.
THE PRESCRIPTION.

| tukG lHO66 Succps 4 WduL tue Ac
rinos. And while / am getting
ready, please take my memorandum
book and note down four harness
straps, five pounds of nails and 1
gimlet, half jockey strap, and
and, yes, believe that is all. for
got them when made ont the items
this morning"
Mrs. Slreeter rose YEARLY, laiG
her sleeping babe quietly in its crib
and proceeded to record the al ticle.
named. She was young-not over
twenty FIVE, but the blonde com
plexion was sadly faded, the brown
hair thin and lustreiess, and faint
lines were already MAJ king the
white forehead, while the tired eyes
told of care, and limited strongly OF
an unsalisfied heart.
| And this thin-cheeked, pink-lip.
ped woman had been called 8 beau.
| ~, only seven years beforei She
had been admired and petted, but
not spoiled. And when she gave
her hand TO Newton Streeter, she
could say what so few girls OF
| eighteen can: 81 married my first
love-"
Judge Streeter, the father, was
supposed to be wealthy. But soon
after his sons marriage, financial
crisis came and his thousands dwin-
died into hundreds.
1t was false pride, perhaps, but
the Yonng man shrank from posi-
ton under those who had once
(! looked up to him. And his thoughts
turned wistfully towards the West
ern prairies, where the sum he
could now call his own would rem
der him independent of others at
least. He expected objections from
his young and accomplished wife.
But she saw with his eyes, and was
not only willing, but eager to go
and help him make a home that
should be all their own. The pur-
chasing of prairie team, some
farming implements, and the ex-
pense of building a small house, ex-
hausted his entire capital and the
Young couple began their married
life as many others had done who
had not been blessed with their adj
vantages. A hired man seemed
necessary on the farm, but a girl
could be dispensed with. Indeed,
the small dwelling contained but
three small sleeping apartments,
and this fact, added to their uncer-
tain income, induced Mrs. Streeter
to take upon herself the entire care
of the household.
She was a systematic housekeeper
-abhorred dirt in all its phases;
and the rich, alluvial soil seemed
ever haunting her, like haunting
spirit that would not be appeased.
In dry weather it was a fine black
dust that found its way everywhere ;
and in wet it became smutch that
was hardly less aggravating.
Two children had come in the
seven years, to nestle in her bosom.
But one, fairy child of three sum-
mers, had slid away from them, and
was now sleeping beneath the flow
ers of the prairie. And the tired
wife had sighed as she looked on
the cold, folded hands. 0
"She will never toll as l have
done, but oh, 1. wanted her SO
much," the lonely mother sobbed
forth.
Mr.. Streeter was now considered
q wealthy farmer. His acres had
broadened and his stock increased;
the little village, mile away, had
put ON city airs, and the steam horse
waited respectfully at its depot.
Still the thrifty farmer confined
himself closely to labor, hardly
taking time for needful rest. The
love of getting had increased with
his gains, and he was constantly
schcming and planning to add to his
already many acres. Physically
and mentally strong, he grappled
with toll, and it hardly left mark
on his splendid physique-bronzed
little, and with gentle, loving
wife ever studying his tastes and
wishes, why should he wear out
fast?
But of her? Naturally frail, she
had been like a willow bending be-
meath a burden voluntarily taken
up. With the exception of an eff
cient girl for few weeks when lit
tie Mary died, she had performed
all the labor required in the house
since she became its mistress.
AS a girl, she was a great reader
and extravagantly fond of music.
But there was no room in the small
dwelling for a piano, and books
only added to her labor by accumu-
lating dust, for where was the time
/ know this is dreary picture
for farmers wife, but perhaps
there is another side. 4t' 4
| Newton Streeter took the memo
randum, glanced hastily at the neat
ly written items, and then said:
"One thing more, Mary, and then
Pm off. Please sew this button a
little closer"
The loose bntton was confined to
its place, and then Mary Streeter
watched her husband as he stepped
into the light buggy and drove
! But not longer might she linger
for the sponge was waiting in the
kitchen to be kneaded, and the
baby's maps were like angels visits.
And before her task was we'll ovel
his bugle note sounded to arms, and
the fretfuf child was taken up and
caressed and soothed to quietness
But he would not go down again
and back and forth from the ho
kitchen she carried him. as shC
watched the loaves browning in the
oven.
She was conscious of q strang'
dizzyness when she arose from 1
STOPPING position; her head wa
aching miserably and her eye
: seemed burning. What was com
ing over herr She must be i'll
Oh! no-she had no time for that
And then her thoughts drifted ava,
to the dear old home of childhood
And she asked herself for the frs
time if she had done wisely in leav
ing it for this life of toll and care.
1t was dangerous position for
wife and mother, and che claspeC
her child more closely TO suppress
in her heart the disloyal answer.
She heard James, the hired man
! come in, and recollecting the mes
sage for him, arose, and that unac
EQUITABLE giddiness seized her, AM
she sank back utterly powerless.
When Mr.. Streeter returned, ex
ultant over the thousand dollars b
had deposited in the bank-anl
with which he hoped to purchss
!. another parcel of land-he found n
supper prepared and his wife help
a less upon the bed, with cheek
flushed with fever, and the wailin
child distracting her with demand
for care. c hNG HH
A physician and nurse were 500
L summoned from the city, and tn
weary wife enjoyed the luxury G
being ILL.,
But convaiescense soon folio " eC
and before leaving his patient, til
old doctor, close observer and
= deep thinker, took the husban
7 aside and asked;
"Do you know what brought th
fever on your wife, MIR. Streeter p
No. in surprised tone.
"Shall tell youi"a
Z "Certatnly. am anxious
know"