The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1874-08-05
THE PRESCRIPTION.

sheep-l want the merinoS. And
while l am getting ready, please take
my memorandum book and note down
fonr harness straps, FIVE pounds Of nails,
and gimlet, half a jockey strap, and
-and-yes, believe that is all. l
forgot them when made out the items
this morning" Mrs. Streeter rose
wearily, laid her sleeping babe care
fally in its crib, and proceeded to re-
cord the articles named. She was
young--not over twenty-fve-but the
complexion was sadly faded, and faint
lines were already marking the white
forehead, while the tired eyes told Of
care and limited strongly Of an unsat-
isfied heart.
Aid this thin-cheeked, pink-eyed
woman, had been called beauty only
seven years beforel And when she
gave her hand to Newton Streeter she
could say what few girls can: IL mar
ried my first-love."
Judge Streeter, the father, was sup
posed to be wealthy. But soon after
his sons marriage a financial crisis
came, and the thousands dwindled in
10 hendricks.
1t was false pride, perhaps, but
the young man shrank from position
under those who had once looked up to
him, ard his thoughts turned wistfully
toward the Western prairies.
He expected objections from his
young and accomplished wife. But
she saw with his eyes, and was not on
ly willing, but eager to go and help
him make home that should be all
their own. The purchasing of prai-
rie team, some farming implements,
and the expense of building small
house, exhausted his capital and the
young couple commenced their mar
ried life as many others had done, who
had not been blessed with their advan-
tages. The small dwelling contained
but three sleeping apartments, and
this fact, added to their uncertain in
come, induced Mrs. Streeter to take
upon herself the entire care of the
household.
Two children had como in the seven
years to nestle in her bosom. But one,
a. fairy child of three summers, had
| slid away from them, and was now
sleeping beneath the flowers of the
prairie, and the tired wife had sighed
as she looked on the cold, folded
hands.
"She will never toll as have done /;
but oh, wanted her so much," the
lonely mother sobbed forth.
Mr.. Streeter was considered veal
thy farmer. His acres had broadened
and his stock increased. Physically
and mentally strong, and with 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 beneath a
burden voluntarily taken up. With
the exception of an efficient girl for a
few weeks when little Mary died, she
had perf@eed all the labor required
| in the house since she became its mis-.
lress. F.Nt A's-~
| Newton Streeter took the memoran-
dunn, glanced, hastily at the neatly
written items and then stepped into
the light buggy and drove away.
But no longer might she linger, fol
the sponge was waiting " the kitchen
to be kneaded, and the baby's maps
were like angels visits. And before
the task was we'll over his bugle note
sounded to arms, and the fretful child
was taken up and caressed and sooth
ed to quietness. 1., -..-
She was conscious of a strange dizzi
ness. WheAshs arose frem STOPPING
position her Hehd was aching misera
bly,, and her eyes seemed burning
What was coming oyer her? She mus
be i'll. Oh, no; she had no time fol
thatl And then her thoughts drifteC
away to the dear old home of child
hood, and she asked herself, for tn,
FIRST time, if she had done wisely Il
leave it for this life of toll and care
1t was dangerous question for I
wife-mother, and she clasped he
child more closely to suppress in he
heart the disloyal answer.
When Mr.. Streeter returned, exault
ant over the dollars he had deposited
in the bank, he found no supper pre-
pared, and his wife helpless upon th
bed, with cheeks flushed with fever
and the wailing child distracting he
with demands for care.
A physician and nurse were sool
summoned from the city and the wear
: wife enjoyed the luxury of being il
But eonvalescence soon followed
and before leaving his patient, the oil
doctor, q close observer, and a dee
' thinker, took the husband aside an
asked.