Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-10-21
THE PRESCRIPTION.

!
dunn book and note down four harness
straps, five pounds of nails, and a
glmlet, half Jockey strap, and-and-
yet believe that is all. / forgot them
when made out the items this morn
ing"
Mrs. Streeter rose YEARLY, laid her
sleeping babe carefully in its crib, and
proceeded to record the articles named.
She was young-not over twenty-five,
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
unsatisfied heart.
And this thin checked, pink-eyed
woman had been called beauty only
seven years before And when she gave
her hand to Newton Streeter she could
say what few girls can "I married my
first love-"
Judge Streeter, the father, was sup
posed to be wealthy. But soon after his
sons marriage financial crisis came,
and the thousands dwindled into
hundreds.
1t was false pride, perhaps, but the
young man shrank from a position
under those who had once looked up to
him and his thoughts turned wistfully
towards the western prairies.
He expected objections from his
young and accomplished wife. But she
saw with his eyes, and was not only
willing, but eager to go and help him
make home that should be all their
own. The purchasing of a prairie team,
some farming implements, and the ex-
pense of building a small house, ex-
hausted his capital-and the young
couple commenced their married life as
many others had done, who had been
blessed with their advantages. The
small dwelling contained but three
sleeping apartments, and this fact,
added to their uncertain income, in
duced Mrs. Streeter to take upon her.
self the entire care of the household.
Two children had come in the seven
years to nestle in her bosom. But one,
fairy child of three summers, had slid
F., away from them, and was now sleeping
beneath the flowers of the prairies; and
the tired wife had sighed as she looked
on the cold, folded hands.
"She will never toll, as have done /;
/ but oh, l wanted her so much" the
lonely mother sobbed forth.
Mr.. Streeter was considered wealthy
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
ILL., hnn1,nox hannafh n
burden voluntarily taken up. With ex-
ception of an efficient girl for few
weeks when little Mary died she had
performed all the labor required in the
house since she became its mistress.
Newton Streeter took the memoran-
dunn, glanced hastily at the nearly
written items, and then he stepped into
the light buggy and drove away.
But no longer might she Gnger, for
the sponge was wanting in the kitchen
to be kneaded, and the baby's maps
were like angels visits. And before
the task was well over his bugle note
sounded to arms, and the fretful child
was taken up and caressed and soothed
to quietness.
She was conscious of strange diZZi-
ness. When she arose from a STOPPING
position her head was aching 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
asked herself, for the first time, if she
had done wisely to leave it for this life
of toll and care?
1t was a dangerous question for
wife-mother, and she clasped her child
more closely to suppress In her heart
the disloyal answer.
When Mr.. Streeter returned exultant
over the dollars he had deposited in the
bank, he found no supper prepared, and
his wife helpless upon the bed, with
cheeks flushed with fever, and the wall
ing child distracting her with demands
for care.
Aphysician and nurse were soon sum-
moned from the city, and the weary wife
enjoyed the luxury of being i'll.
But convalscence soon followed and
before leaving his patient, the old
doctor, close observer and q deep
thinker, took the husband aside, and
asked:
"Did you know what brought this
fever on your wife, Mr.. Streeter? You
have worked her nearly to death.
"You are speaking of my wife, not
my horse"
"Granted /; and say again you are
working her to death"
"Really, Doctor, such language is
unpardonable.'
sAnd yet you will pardon it. And
furthermore by your great love for the
self-sacrifcing woman we have Just left,
/ shall perform an operation on your
eyes that you may see as see.'
And then he placed the cold hard
facts before him, from the time she be-
came a bride, beautiful and accom-
plished, to the village, up to the date
of present illness in which domestic
cares only had haunted here in feverish
dreams. In concluding he added
81 truly believe, if she takes up her
old burdens at once, that before the
year has passed, the grave or insane
asylum will receive her.
The strong man shuddered.
Gas heaven is my witness, sir, have
only permitted, not exacted, this sacrl-
fee. She voluntarily took her place by
NV side and has uncomplainingly kept
step with me-"
No, she has not kept step, to follow
your own figure. Uuable to keep up
with your long rapid strides, she has
fallen, faint and footsore, by the way.
/ tell Won she must have rest for both
mind and body or 1 will not answer for
the result. And it would be better
found away from home.
sYes, begin to comprehand, and 1t
can be found away" And offering his
hand, 81 will take care, doctor, that you
do not get chance to administer an
other such dose to me.
Mr.. Streeter went back to the room
where his wife was sitting propped up
by pillows, and gush of unuttera6ie
tenderness swelled in his heart as ne
Glanced at her pale face and almost
transparent hands. He sat down beside
her and said softly:
l.,k