The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-10-28

The first peep of dawn found her busi-
ly preparing breakfast for she knew that
John wanted an early start. The sound
of the coffee mill woke him from his
heavy sleep, and he lay quietly watching
her by the light Of the dim grease lamp,
as she moved quickly back and forth
from table to stove, from thence to the
little row of shelves in lieu of cupboard
setting on the dishes, watching the bacon,
and taking the crisp corn dodger from the
oven. "She is a DEAR good wife," thought
he; "what a scoundrel was to make
her feel so badly" He knew that he
had been rough to her the night before.
He wished that he could remember what
he said. OF course he never got dead
drunk, but he wished that he ever could
let whiskey alone
His brcakfas was just to his liking, and
his wife was cheerful as if be was the best
man in the world. He wanted to say
something pleasant to break the awkward
silence, but he did not know how to be.
gin. lie had an uncomfortable feeling
that he ought to beg her pardon, but be.
ing man, Of course he did not conde-
scend to that. At length he began by
saying: "You was right peert about
your breakfast this morning, Nancy
81 allowed most likely you'd want to
get off soon," she answered.
"Yes, Sones wants US there ag'in sun.
up It's only fifty log raft /; reckon we
can get it down to Leavenworth ag'in the
night train starts, and I'll get right on,
and be back to Atchinson afore day.
Don't catch me foolin' away another day
round that old fort
'Oh, John I'm so proud paused
abruptly for his eyes dropped with a
look of conscious shame. What mood
was be in? Would it do to speak then q?
lie had showed back from the table. and
there was a serious, far.away look in his
eyes, but nothing oullon forbidding
She went around, and dropping on her
knees beside him, slipped her arms about
his neck, saying oh, John, 1 wish you'd
promise me you'd never drink no more
whiskey'
That's most too hard on fellow but
I'll promise not to-not drink too much
ag'in,' he answered.
But I'm afeared that wouldn't do no
good
You talk like you thought hadn't
sense enough 10 stop when I've got enough
if | try he exclaimed.
'Oh, John, don't talk so /; you know
you promised me that nigh onto a year
ago but you think you'll just take one
dram, and then just one more, and afore
you know it, it's too much. Ii you'd
only promise now that you'd never taste
nary drop ag'in.'
Still he kept his eyes steadily turned
away from hers.
Don't you mind now she went on,
how your mother said one time. Il reck-
on Nancy, you count John a mighty
rough chap, but he's all right at the core :
and don't you mind how she used to pray
for you in them old times? Don't you
remember the evenin' We heard her pray
ing down by the old spring? If she's
watching you among the stars, how proud
she'd be to hear you promise. And
john she continued, dropping her voice
to whisper, Il pray too, sometimes. |
haven't never told you, but I've been
feeling right serious here Of late I've
taken to readin' my Bible, and I've just
made up my mind to live better'n | used
to; and pray for you too, and it seems
like God hears me- And she laid her
head on his shoulder to hide her tears.
His arms slipped around her, but he
still kept his eyes turned stubbornly away
from hers. At last, laying his face
against hers, he spoke earnestly, Yes,
Nancy, Ipromise.
Presently, starting up, he exclaimed,
IF | haven't stayed till plum daylight "
'Oh, John come and kiss baby afore
you 90, he looks SO sweet. Sammy Sam.
my wake up, honey, and kiss pappy.'
Bless his sleepy eyes. Pappy's little
man I'll bring him some candy when I
come home again
All day Nancy went about with such a
light, CHEEKY heart as she had not carried
in her bosom for many day; singing
snatches of old hymns, and thinking hap.
py. hopeful thoughts of him who, those
long hours, was working his -udder
against the strong current of the Missouri
That evening the stars shone brightly
down upon her, when she knet by the
little window, and asks Gods blessings Oh
her husband and his good resolutions.
But she was awakened few hours af.
terward, by rush and confusion, show.
er of glass and hail across her bed and
catching her baby in her arms, she sprang
up, frightened and bewildered. 1t was
terrible storm one long to be remember.
ed by all who felt its terrors. The deaf.
ening roar Of the wind and hail almost
drowned the loud thunder olaps A
binding flash of lightning showed the
trees almost bent to the ground, and the
house rocked to and fro like a cradle
She suddenly felt new, strange feeling
as if she was flying, floating through the
air. She thought that she was dizzy ,and
caught hold of the bed. A terrible crasl
she never knew how it all happened
Her baby's cries aroused her, The wine
and rain chilled her through. She start
ed to spring up, but something held he
Q down. A shock of pain darted over her
! and putting out her hand, she felt grea
beam lying heavily across her limbs. |
s seemed as though it was crushing her
$ Something struck her, then another, ant
S another. How they stung! Oh ! wa
her child sheltered from that pities
+ storm? His screams grew louder. Oh
r she must reach him She could Sc,
c nothing through the thick darkness, bu
= she knew he was not far off. What if h
d too was fastened crippled =? She stretch
i ed her arms every movement made he
n pain more excruciating. She strane
e every nerve she could almost reach hin