The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-29

her 'unaccustomed labors, for wasn't
everything to be ours by and by?
Thus brightly the summer months
passed, and the early Autumn. The
butter was sold, and Chester announced,
with pardonable pride, that it brought
the very highest price. The apples
went next, and then the plump chickens
that Nellie had so assiduously watched /;
then the wheat and oats, and everything
that could well be spared, went to swell
the income.
Chester was jubilant over the result.
II tell you, Nellie," said he, Its
worth everything to have o good wife.
We have been wonderfully prosperous.
Mr.. Goldthwait wants to get the farm
back into his hands, bat he can't do it,
for the second payment is ready for
him, and have considerable money be-
Sides
Nellie heard all this, and reioiced
with him; but she began to wonder
vaguely when she was to receive her
share of the wonderful income.
Not cent had she in the once we'll
filled purse; and as she ruefully survey
ed her boots, she fully realized that even
the strong ties, supposed to exist be-
tween sole and upper leather, must
yield to the footsteps of time. She was
so hard on bootsl "And who wouldn't
be?" she said to herself grimly, "trot-
ting all over the house, and out into the
yard every half hour to see if stray
hawk is after my chickens?"
When the cold November winds began
to blow, Mrs. Nellie said to herself, 1T
is no use, my lace bonnet and white
gloves look ridiculous at this season,
and my boots grow worse and worse. I
must stay at home from church."
But no, her husband would not listen
to that, he felt lost without her COM
pany, and her alto in the choir. So,
without telling him the cause of the
proposition, she retrimmed her old hat,
mended her second-best kids, and patch
ed her boot, with the aid of an awl to
pierce the sole. Not being cobbler by
profession, her fingers received some
wounds which made her feel almost ex-
asperated, and she concluded that il
men were not as blind as bats by nature.
Chester would see that she needed some
new ones. He, innocent heart, thought
she looked uncommonly well, as she ap-
peared on Sunday morning, arrayed in
her "old things" and, although she
took pains to put the worst foot forward
as she stepped into the carriage, Ches-
ter only thought, "What pretty little
foot my wife has got"
| His new broadcloth suit, so stout and
firmly made, was warranted to last a
year at least, and what should he know
of woman's wants?
| Monday morning, Nellie scrubbed out
her clothes with more than usual celeri-
ty; for torturing thoughts make ones
hands move quickly; and the day before,
while in Sabbath school, she had been
Mortified to see that her impromptu cob
bling was proving treacherous, and her
boot gaping in derision. 81 wonder if
Chester expects my clothes will last for
ever" said she to herself. "Maybe he
expects I'll ask him for money, but I
cannot Oh, dear, cannotl Haven't I
earned anything, I'd like to know? And
isn't it right for him to give me a part
of the gain? 1 guess 1 could take care
of myself better than he does it." and if
few tears ran down her cheeks, think
it not strange, oh, ye lovers of independ-
encel
That night, on his return from the
village, Chester tossed bundle into her
lap, saying: "Ive got scme splendid
cloth there for vest, Nellie; have al
ways bought my clothing ready-made,
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 ner, she added: "By the way,
Chester, think must have some new
boots some time this week"
"Well, I'd go to Stearns' and get
some then, if 1 were you. He's just got
his new goods" and Chester unfolded
his paper and began to read Poor Nell
lie bit her lip, and wondered if other
husbands were as slow to take hint as
hers was proving himself to be. She
said not another word, however, and the
next afternoon, got ready for her shop
ping expedition and waited for her
liege lord to provide her with the neces-
sary funds.
But he sat writing at his desk, oblivi-
GUS of all domestic cares, and at length
she said. with an assumed nonchalance ::
Can you let me have some money,
Chester"
"Oh! yes, you haven't any, have you?"
and he drew out his wallet and began to
count the bills therein.
There's five-that must go 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, 1 guess" sep
arating it from the rest; Twill that do?"
Nellie's face grew white and then red,
and her heart beat so that she could
hardly answer: 81 will try to make it,"
Chester looked up, thinking her voice
did not sound just natural; but she had
turned toward the window.
There's some change you can have
too said he, adding several pieces of
scrip to the bill. She took the money,
thrust it into her purse, and walked rap
idly away; but her thoughts ran some
what after this fashion: 'And so nv
claim is last and least in his estimation.
L suppose that is the reason why so
many women grow so sort of antiquated;
they hate to beg" Her husbands ears
would have tlngled could he have known
these reflections, but as it was, he only
looked after her and thought what for
tunate 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
lily invested In pins, needles. and thread.
and she returned home resolved "to la
bor and to wait little while longer.
A few days after this, as she was bend
ing over the table trying to cut Chester's
vest, Miss Eunice Perkins called, and
after few minutes desultory chat, the
worthy spinster drew from her pocket a
paper. which she handed To NaIl;a COW