Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-11-27

thougn tnOugnJ was very busy VIII
both of them. Mr>. Wheaton manner
toward the children was kind even t.
tenderness, and this manner won thei'
confidence, and drew from them suci
looks and ways and little expressions o.
satisfaction as touched the heart, and
filed it with loving interest.
After nightfall, when supper was ov
er, and the children asleep, Mrs. and
Mr. Wheaton sat down together, eacl
showing little reserve and embarrass
ment Mrs. Wheaton was the first to
speak.
"What were you thinking about
Johns' said she ALMOST sharply. q
can't have these children"
Wheaton did not lift his eyes, nor
answer, but there was certain dog
ged and resolute air about him that his
wife noticed as usual.
Somebody else must take them, .
she said.
"The county will do it, be replied.
"The county,"
eyes. There's room at the aims
house, and nowhere else, that I know
Of, unless they stay here.
'Unless they stay here!" Mrs. Whea-
toms voice arose a little. ats easy
enough to say that-but who's to take
care of them?'
dts great undertaking. know, .
answered the husband meekly, yet
with new quality in his voice that did
not escape the quick ear of his wife,
''and the burden must fall on you"
81 wouldn't mind that 30 much"
She kept back the sentence that was
on her tongue.
''But what?' asked her husband
John, she said, dlawing herself up
in a resolute manner, and looking stead
ily into her husband face, CAS- things
are going Oh"
Things shall 90 on differently" in
terrupted Wheaton. live thought all
over"
"How differently, John?"
ooh, in every way. III turn s new
leaf"
He saw light fash into his wife's
face.
First and foremost, Tn not going
to lose any more days. Last month
had six days doc|1ed from my wages"
"Why, joint
''it's true-more the shame for me.
That was eighteen dollars you see, not
counting the money | fooled away in
idle company enough to pay for all
these babies would eat and wear twice
over"
"Oh, John?" There was something
eager and hopeful in his ~-ife's face as
she leaned toward him.
I'm in downright earnest, Jane,
he answered "If you'll take the ba
bies, I'll do my part. I'll turn over q
new leaf. There shall be no more lost
days, no more foolish and wasting OF
money, no spending Of evenings at
McBrides."
ooh, John" in her surprise and de
light she could only repeat the excle
ton. As she did so this time; she rose
and putting her hands on his shoulders,
bent and kissed him on the forhead.
.'Y QUILL take the babies? p said he.
''Yes, and twenty more, if you keep
10 this, and say so,' answered Jane,
laughing though tears.
"All right then. It's bargain. y
And Wheaton caught his wife's hand
and shook it by way of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton turned
over new leaf Neighbors express
ed surprise when it was told that Jane
Wheaton had adopted the two orphan
children. Fellow workmen tainted
John, calling him soft hearted and
a tool, for taking other mems brats.
One said to him: care four mouths
easier to fill than two?'
Another, you'll be sick of all this
before the years out.
And another 'Ill see you sold out
by the sheriff in less than six months. y
But John had little to say in reply,
only maintaining an air of quiet good
humor, and exhibiting more interest in
his work
For three weeks John had not lost
day some thing very unusual: and
not one evening during that time had
he spent at McBride's drinking saloon
His poor little home, which had come
to have a neglected look, was putting
on new appearance. The gate tina,
for months had hobbled Oh one hinge
now swung smoothly, and the mende6
latch held it shut, Rank weeds nc
longer filled the door yard, the broker
steps we've mended, and clean panes o.
glass filled many place in the sashes
where had been unsightly rags ane
sheets of paper. A neglected running
rose was trimmed, and was now push
ing out young green leaves and buds.
Within, pleasant changes were alss
apparent, Various new but inexpensiv,