Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-12-23
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! tion that sho bad p|ept ,solcmnly doclar
l ing tisnt sho had never closed her eyes
but, nevorthlcss esItain sounds hnd
now and'fhcn come from under ths
shects which indicated that II I'll
events she had brcathed worry hard.
She was now awake for purpose
She was q woman Of purpose. Her
cousins daughter was about to- be
married. She had received invitations
10 the wedding, and was determined
on making her a handsome wedding
present, and 10 Wedding presents she
knew Mr.. Brown, had most decided
aversion. ',.' y
p The CathedinI, clock struck IL tho
chimes rang out the quarter then the
half hour Brown had not come in
She smiled as she heard--a drowsy,
sleep smilej then.. she brcathed hard
again. lo sna .gl i.ln.fi vaK b4oeI
1t was election times, and for the
last two months Brown had been out
nearly every night At first he must
go to see about the nomination, he must
work TOR the party, go to ward meet
ings general rallies, see that this man
and that was posted, and talk and can
vass, and so the night passed. Then
came the election. One night he was
not home at all. After that the re-
turns kept him away until the eve
sma' hours Now, the election had
been over week; twas next morn
ing and he was not at home.
She had been very northumberland
patient over It all and staid at home
uncommonly close, attended to her six
children When Brown does not stay
out too late, he finds her on his return
industiiously sewing. She listened TO
his excuses without word, and meyer
scolded, This made him quail and feel
badly. Why she did not ay at him he
did not understand.
To-nights as he stood upon his door
step fumbling in his pocket for the
latch-kcy, with a startled sort Of feel
ing thinking what excuse he could
make, wondering if the old one
"Oliged 10 meet man on business
would do, the clock struck one. He
thought hardly of il, and he muttered
hard words under his breath. Was
his wife awake? Would she notice he
had been drinking beer?
Quietly as he came in, Mrs. Brown
heard him, forhewas ON her mind. He
stopped a moment at his chamber door,
opened it in his stocking feet, started
and dropped his shoes, as she, sitting
up in bed, met him with:
'1s that you, Brown? ] thought
you would never come; my head aches
so; hand me that bottle"
He did as he was hidden, muttering
excuses the while for being so late; he
was detained, etc. She did not reply
to him. He felt this ominous, so hast
ened his proceedings. When the light
was out She turned over and sighed
"The invitation for Amanda's we'd
ding has come" lsH
He made no reply. ir
~ shall be obliged to make her
present, of course. Her mother made
me present when was married.
He did not speak.
''You have not been in the house
long enough the last two months for
me to speak to you about this" she
said sharply, and waited for an answer
"Presents cost money"
Z "Of course they do; so do elections
lie turned uneasily.
"We must make her present, and
q handsome one. too; owe her one"
"You made a bargain, did you ?"
'4fy you choose to call it that. l am
not going to be put upon, Mr.. Brown,
nor am j going to be made to appear
mean. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones will
give her something, and more will be
expected of me, relative. ] am not
going to see my name in the paper
tackled to a pincusssion, l can tell you"
Nv Rrnwn softly snnrcd
She had struck the first blow, and
would put in wedge and leave it.
"You think it costs money to do as
you sbonld do by my relations, but it
don't cost anything to be out every
night for two months drinking beer,
eating suppes, and spending time try
ing to get Job Stevenson elected, and
not doing it after all, while / staid at
home and took care Of the children,
who had hardly known they had fa-
ther. 1t Is my turn now. If you can
spend ON elections l can spend on
wedding present"
This was spoken viciously and deter
minedly, as she jcrkcd the bedclothes
and turned her back to him. faia'
Mrs. Brown was up early the next
morning. She was down while he still
slept, saw that the dinning-room was
comfortable, the table nicely set, and
ordered his favoritc dish, seeing her
self TO the coffee, about which she was
particular, She heard him moving.
She took look in the glass to be sure
her collar was neatly arranged and
her hair all right; then, with little
book in her hand, entered their bed
room. Brown was drawing on his
boots.
as breakfast readyy he asked, as
she opened the door. q ~ 11iiai- s-
at will be in few moments" She
took a seat by the window. II have
something to read to You" She opened
the book,
"Scptembcr-Mr. Brown left home
at 6 O'clock in the evening and re.
turned at 11.0h1N eig rot'hs i
"September--Mr. Brown went out
before breakfast came home at six TO
dinner, left at two minutes Of Z. |
went TO bed quarter past 10, and he
had not returned" 10 la NHirW f'l
AT first in astonishment, not know.
ing what was coming Drown had
stopped pulling on his boot TO listen),
he stamped heavily in them while he
jerked down his pantaloons. She
quietly read through September.
a0ctobcr Mr.. Brown did not get
up until breakfast was on the table,
(Mr. Brown soused his face in the wa.
ter, rubbed his head and ears Justify,
and did not hcar.) Mr.. Brown came
hv,uv at 20 dlhncI MI. g. called for
him, and they went out together. He
came in at Ave minutes 10 Sf2"o aai
"Oetobcr 3. 3.--Mrp---Brown WINGED
as he dragged the comb through his
head, seized the brush, used il once or
twice, threw IL in the cornor Of tho
room, and turned to get his handker.
chief Mrs. Brown paused In her read
ing. .laiHasf V '.i sli BIZ igt.
al have kept irregular account, Mr.
Brown, and in two months, Sundays
included, except when asleep, you
have spent only eighteen hours and
twenty minutes with your family,whilc
/ have remained hi home and shaved
for them, hnd now | cannot make my