Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-07-04
THE PRESCRIPTION.

Il wish you would tell James, when h
comes in, to turn the cows into the lowe
lot. And if Turpin calls, tell him I hay
concluded to take those sheep. | want th
Merinos. And, while [ am getting ready
please take my memorandum book and pu
down harness straps, 5 pounds of nails.
giml9t, halfa jockey strap, and, yes, beleg
that's all. forgot them when | made Gu
the items this morning"
Mrs. Streeter rose YEARLY, laid her sleep
ing babe carefully 10 its crib, and proceeded
to record the articles named. She was young
not over twenty five, but the complexion
was sadly faded, and faint lines we're 81
ready marking the white forehead, while
the tired eyes told of care. and limited stron g
ly of an unss tisGed heart
And this thin checked, PINK Tipped wo
man has been called 6 beauty only seven
years before And when she gave her
hand to Newton Streeter, she could say
what few girls can say married my first
love-"
Judge Strccter, the father, was supposed
to be wealthy. but soon alter his sons mar
riage a. financial crisis came, and his thou
sands dwiudled into hundreds.
It was false pride, perhaps, but the young
man shrank from position under those who
had once looked up to him. And his
thoughts turned wistfully towards the Yves.
tern prairies. He expected obje ,tions 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 home
that should be ali their own, The pur-
chasing OF prairie team, some farming
Implements, and the expense OF building a
small house, exhausted all lis capital and
the young pair began their married life as
many others had done who had Rot been
blessed with their advantages The small
dwelling contained but three sleeping apart
ments, and this fact, added to their unser-
tain income, induced Mrs. S:reeter to take
upon herself the entire care of the house.
hold.
Two children had come in the seven years
to nestle IN her bosom. But one. a fairy
child of three summers, had slid away from
them, and was now sleeping meath the
flowers OF the prairie And the tired wife
sighed as she looked on the cold. folded
hands.
"She will never toll aa | have done
but, oh, l wanted her 50 much" the lonely
mother sobbed
Mr.. Streeter was now considered veal
thy farmer. His acres had broadened and
bis stock increased Physically and men.
tally strong, 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 willow, bending meath burden
voluntarily taken up. With the exception
Of. an inefficient girl for few weeks when
little Mary died, she had performed all the
labor required in the house sincs she had
become it's mistress.
Newton Streeter took the memorandum
glanced hast ly at the neatly written items,
and then stepped into the light buggy and
drove off.
But no longer might sine lipger, for the
sponge was waiting in the kitcken to bt
kneaded, aud the baby's maps were like
angels visits. And before her task wa
over, his bugle note sounded to arms, ane
the fretful child was taken up and sootheC
quietness.
She was conscious Of a strange dizziness
when she arose from STOPPING posture
Her head was aching and her eyes burning
What was coming over her She must b.
| ill Oh, no-she had 10 time for that !
And then her thoughts diifted away to he
dear old home of childhood, and she aske,
herself, for the first time, if she had dcn'
wisely in leaving it fer this life Of toll ant
care:
1t was dangerous question for wife
mother, and she pressed her child closer t
her heart to suppress the disloyal answer.
When Mr. Streeter returned, exuteD
over the dollars he had put in the bank, h
found no supper prepared, and his wife help
less upon the bed, with cheeks flushed witt
fever, and the waiiing child distractlng he
with cries for care.
A physician and nurse were soon sum
moDed from the city, and the weary vii
enjoyed the luxury Of being ill.
But convalescence soon followed and, be
fore leaving his patient, the doctor, eles
observer and deep thinker, took the hus
band aside and asked
"Do YOU know what brought this feve
on your wife. Mr.. Streeter Your hav
worked her nearly to death. :"
"You are speaking of my wife, not Of m
horse"
"Granted, and I say again, you al
working her to DEATH"
"Really, doctor, such language is unpal
donable"
And yet you will pardon it. And fu
thermore, by the great love for the sci
sacrificing woman we have just left, l shA
perform an operation on your eyes, that 70
may see just as I do. l believe if she TAX
her old burden at once, before year IL
grave orinsane asylum will receive her."
The strong man shuddered.
GAS heaven is my witness, sir, l ha'
only permitted, not exacted this sacrifice.
)She Voluntarily took her place at my 81