Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-04-30
MLLERsBURG HOLMES COUNTY, O. THURSDAY APRIL &C. 1874

She kept back the sentence that W
on her tongue.
'sBut what?' asked her husband.
"John," said Mrs. Wheaton, draw
ing herself up in resolute manner, ar
looking steadily into her husbands fac
"as things are going on"
"Things are going On differently,
interrupted Wheaton. I've thought
all over.'
allow differently, Johnr''
"Ob, in every way, I'll turn over
new leaf"
Wheaton saw light fash into hi
wife's face.
"First and foremost Pm not gsing t
lose any more days. Last month / ha
six docked from my wages"
"Why, John!''
It'sitrue more's the shame for me
That was eighteen dollars, you see, no
counting the money 1 fooled away il
idle cempany-enough to pay for al
these babes would eat and wear twic,
over"
There was somthing eager and hope
full in his wife's face as she leaned to.
ward him.
"I'm in downright earnest, Jane,
he answered. Ifyou'll take the babies
I'll do my part, Ill turn over a new
leaf. There shall be ne more lost days
no more foolish wasting of money
no spending Of evenings at Nc
Brides"
"Oh, John" In her surprise and de-
light she could only repeat the excla-
nation. As she did so this time she
rose, and putting her hand on his shoul-
ders, bent down and kissed him on the
forehead.
"You'l take the babies ?" said he.
eyes, and twenty more, if you keep
to this, and say so,'' answered Jane
laughing through tears.
"All right then. It's BARGAIN
Wheaton caught his wife's hand
and shook .it by way Of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton turned over
new leaf. Neighbors expressed sur
prise when it was told that Jane Whea-
ton had adopted the tive orphan chill
dren as her own. Fellow-workmen
taunted John, calling him soft hearted
and fool tor taking other mems brats.
One said to him: care four mouths
easier to fill than two?"
L Another, "Ysu'll be sick of all this
before the years OUT
And another, "I'll see you sold out
by the sheriff in less than six months" !"
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 net lost a
day-something very unusual; and net
one evening during that time had he
spent at McBride's drinking saloon.
HIS poor little home, which had come
to have aneglected look, was putting ON
a new appearance. The gate that for
months had hobbled. on one hinge, now
swung smoothly, and the nended
latch held it shut. Rank weeds no |
longer filled the door yard; tile broken
steps were mended, and clean panes Of \
glass filed many place in the sash
where had been unsightly rags and |
paper. A neglected running rose was
trimmed, and was now pushing out
young leaves and buds.
Within pleasant changes were also
apparent. Various new but inexpen-
siYe articles of furniture were to be
found. Old things were mended, pol
ished up and wonderfully improved,
with all this marvellous to relate.-l
Wheaton's earnings had not only been
equal to the incre eased expenditures but
there was an actual surplus Of ten dol
lars in hand.
81 never would have believed it,"
said John as he and his wife sat one eve
ming talking over their improved condi-
ton after the babies-loved now almost
as their own-were asleep.
"It's just as old Brown used to say,
Waste takes more than want l de-
clare I'e get a heart in me again. I
that we would have to let the
place 60; that I'd never be able to pay
off the mortgage. But here we are ten
dollars ahead in less than month and
going on at this rate we'll have it all
clear in eighteen months"
"Next day fellow workman said to
halfin banter: "Didn't I |
see the constable down your way yes
terday!"
81 shouldn't wonder, replied Whea-
ton with more gravity Of manner than
his questioner had expected.
81 thought saw him looking around
after things and counting his fees on
his fingers
Likely as not" said Wheaton. 81
know of goodmany rents not paid up
last quarter. Money gone to Mcbride
instead of the laudlsrd, ehn' L
"How are the babies ?" he asked.
"First rate" Wheaton answered and
with smile so real that his fellow
workman could not pursue his banter.
Time went on and to the surprise of all
Wheaton's circumstances kept improv-
ing. The babies Lad brought blessing |
to the house, in more than one way. In
less than eighteen months he had paid
off the light mortgage that Ter years
had rested on his little home and not
only this but had improved it in various
ways even to the putting up of small
addition SO as to give them neat break
fast room.
The children grew finely-there were
three of them now for their hearts and
theirhome had opened to another orphan
babe-and being carefully trained by
Mrs. Wheaton were q light to the
house.
At the end of five years will intro
duce them briefly to the reader. Whea-
ton is master workman. He has en-
larged his house and made it one of the
neatest in the village. Among his men
Ia the very one whe bantered him most