Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-29
THE PRESCRIPTION.
Dedicated 20 the Husbands OF Farm.
ers wives.

Dedicated 20 the Husbands OF Farm
ers wives.
81 wish you would tell James
when he comes in, to turn the cows
into the lower lot. Ard IL TurpiT
calls, tell him l have concluded tC
take those shecp-I want the Meri'
nos. And while am getting ready
please take my memorandum book
and note down four harness straps
five pounds OF nails, and gimlet
half jOckey-strap, and-and-ycs
! believe that is all. forgot them
when l made out the items this
morning."
Mrs. StrcctcF rose weariiy, laid
her sleeping babe carefully in it'
crib, and proceeded 90 record tho
articles named. She was young
not over twenty-fve-but the com
plexion was sadly faded, aud faini
lines were already marking tho
white forehead, while the tired eye
told 81 care, and limited strongly o.
an unsatislied heart.
And this thin-chceked, pink
Tipped woman had been called s
beauty only seven years before
Aud when she gave her hand "a
Newton Streeter, she could say
what so few girls can:
81 married my first love-
Judge Streeter, the father, was
supposed to be wealthy. But sOon
after his sons marriage a financial
crisis came, and his thousands dwin'
died into hundreds.
Ii was false pride, perhaps, bat
the young man shrRnk from a posi-
ton under those who had once
looked up 10 him. And his thoughts
turned wisully toward the West.
ern prairies. lie expected Objec.
tions from his young aud accom-
plished wife. But she saw with his
ewes, and was not only willing, but
eager, TO go and help him make a
homo that should be all their own
The purchasing Of a prairie team,
some farming implements, and the
expense OF building a small house,
exhausted his capital and the
Young couple began their married
life as many others had done who
had not been blessed with their adj
vantages. The small dwelling con-
tanned but three sleeping apart
ments: and this fact, added TO their
uncertain income, induced Mrs.
Streeter to take upon herself the en-
tire care OF the household.
Two children had come I'm the
seven years to nestle in her bosom.
But once, a fairy child Of three sum-
mers, had slid away from them, and
was now seeping beneath the flOw-
ers OF the prairie; and the tired
wife had sighed as she looked on
the cold, folded hands.
s'She will never toll as have done;
but, oh, l wanted her so much" the
lonely mother sobbed forth.
Mr.. Streeter was now considered
a wealthy farmer. His acres had
broadened 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 been like a willow, bending be-
meath a burden voluntarily taken
up. With the exception Of an efli-
cient girl for q few weeks when lit
tic Mary died, she had performed
all the labor required in the house
since she became its mistress.
Newton Streetcr took the memo
randum, glanced hastily at the
neatly-written items, and then he
slipped 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 ba-
dy's nape were like angels visits
And before the task was we'll over
his buglc note sounded to arms, and
the fearful child was taken up and
caressed and soothed TO quietness.
She was conscious OF a strange
dizziness, when she arose from a
STOPPING position her head was ach-
ing 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
had done wisely TO leave IL for this
life or toll aud care
1t was a dangerous question for a
wife-mOther, and she elapsed her
child more closely to suppress in her
heart the disloyal answer.
When Mr.. Streeter returned, ex-
ultant over the dollars he had de-
posited in the bank, he found no sup
per prepared, and his wife helpless
upon the bed, with cheeks flushed
with fever, and the wailing child
distracting her with demands for
care.
A physician and nurse were soon
summoned from the city, and the
weary wife enjoyed the luxury of
being i'll.
But convalesence soon followed
aud before leaving his patient, the
old doctor, close observer and
deep thinker, took the husband
aside and asked:
"Doyou know what brought this
fever on your wife, Mr.. Streeteri
You have worked her nearly to
death"
"You are speaking OF my wife,
not my horse"
"Granted; aud say again, you arc
working her to death"
Greatly, doctor, such language is
objectionable"
land yet you will pardon it. And
the self-sacrifiicing woman we have
Just left, shall perform an opera
tion on your eyes that you may see
even as l see"
And then he placed the cold, hard
facts before him, from the time she
came q bride, beautiful and accom-.
plished, to the village, up to tho
date of present illness, which do.
nestle cares only had haunted hel
feverish dreams. In concluding, hi
added:
''I truly believe, if she takes M
her old burdens at once, that before
a year has passed the grave or th'
insane asylum will receive her"
The strong man shudered.
GAS heaven is my witness, sir,
have only permitted, not exacteC
this sacrifice. She voluntarily tool
her place by my side, and has un
complainingly kept step with me-
''No, she has not kept step, to fol
low your own figure. Unable 4
/ keep up with your long, rapi,
strides, she has fallen, faint an,
| rootstore, by che way. l tell YOU
she must have rest for both min,
I and body; or 1 will not answer 70
the result. And it would be bette
If found away from home"
eyes, l begin to comprehend; an,
il can be found away. And" offer
ing his hand, 81 will take care
| doctor, that you do not get a chanc
to administer another such dose t.
me-"
Mr.. Streeter went back TO tn
room where his wife was sitting
propped up by pillows, and a rusl
! of unutterable tenderness swelled il
his heart as he glanced at her pal
face and almost transparent hands
He sat down beside her aad salt
softly:
"You don't know how glad an
that you are better"
"Thank You. Yes, l am almos
we'll now-shali soon be able to b