Middletown transcript., 1874-08-01
perfection under the touch of her quick,
skilful fingers. 895

ohihui uu6st1. .N4.H Et
She was D andsome woman Of two-and-
twenty, with wavy, brown hair, scarlet
lips, and q charming face that looked as if
made for smiles and dimples. When Gill
bert Drew married her, three years before,
people said be made sad mistake-that
this dainty girl, with her graces and ac-
complishments, would never be fit for a
farmers wife, and would have no idea of
thrift and economy. But thus far in her
the prophecy 81 the gossips. Blest with
perfect health and an active temperament,
she took readily to household duties and.
with the help Of stout girl during the
summer months, managed affairs easily
and skillfully ai the farm house.
The farm itself, Gilbert's wedding gift
from Grandfather Drew. was large, fertile
and situated in pleasant valley, and if
we'll worked and tended would yield any
man comfortable living and something
over for q rainy day. The house was
roomy and pleasant, fitted for comfort as
we'll as convenience. To Gilbert Drew
this place seemed the very paradise of
homes. He loved his young wife with an
absorbing affection he took pride in his
| fine, well-stocked farm aud comfortable sur
roundings, and was perhaps as thoroughly
content with bis lot in life as it is possible
for any man I'd be- But of late feeling
of dissatisfaction had been creeping into
the heart of his wife and, like many a
mistaken mortal, she failed to appreciate
the real and solid comforts that she every
day enjoyed, and coveted the fair forbid
den fruit that seemed just beyond her
reach. A few months previous to the
opening Of our story she visited an old
school friend whose home was in the city.
She attended several parties, visited the
opera and othe places Of amusement, and
rode in the park on sunny afternoons and
the gayety and glitter Of those few weeks
so completely turned the head of the coun-
try-bred woman, that the visit which her
husband expected would prove recrea-
tien to her, only served to make her rest
less and dissatisfied with her life. Ever
since then she had been considering the
possibility of inducing Gilbert to give uT
farming and remove to the city but as
yet she had not broached the subject to
him, and she had felt reluctant to dc so
for, knowing how much he was attached
to his present home, she was well aware
that a knowledge of her feelings would
shock and pain him. But on this partic,
uar morning she was even more discon,
tented than usual, and as he cam, whist
ling up the path and to the room where
she was working, she made no effort to
hide her tears but met him with such 9
gloomy, poutin g face that he stopped, sur.
prised aud wondering, in the doorway.
Why, Alice! what is the matter u
he asked, quickly.
Il am tired Of this everlasting house
work." she ans wered gloomily.
Gilbert Drew went forward then anc
drawing his young wife to him said ten.
derly: Don't cry, Alice. l did no
know that you we're working so hard yor
should have told me before. We viii
have better girl, or you can get little
Mamie Briggs up here to help Susan, i
that will suit you"
Z" don't want any more help. If We
must live in this out-of-the-way place,
may as we'll be kitchen maid as anything
else. But don't want to live on a farm
and l wish that you would sell out and &C
to the city"
i" Sell the farm and 60 to the city !
Do you mean that, Alice ="
Z" Yes, | me an it. What is the use O
our shaving our selves to death here, wher
we might live 50 much easier and happier
in the city :"
~ am not sure of that. The farm af
fords us CON Portable living, and if W,
should sell it and 60 away, am afraid w
might see the day when we would be glat
to come back.
81 am sure that l never should. II
the city you co nld get iu some business
that would occupy only part of you
time, and when you are at liberty WI
could 60 out and enjoy ourselves and Sc,
something of the world, instead of being
cooped up in this lonesome place."
Oh, Alice, l am SO sorry to hear yo,
talk in this way thought you wer'
contented and happy here" He was sur
prised and deeply grioved, and Alice knew
it; but she had pondered this matter to'
long to give it up easily now, and sh'
brought forward every argument that she
could devise to convince him that she wa
right, and Glib ert Drew went back to th'
field that morning with sadder hear
than he had carried for many day.
After that A ice gave him no peace
She had set her heart on leaving the farm
and she was constantly picturing to hin
the easy care-free life she imagined the.
might live in The city. Gilbert was ia
from sharing her views on the subject
but be loved her too we'll to be unminafu
of her pleasure, and finding that sh
would be satisi with nothing less, h
finally yielded 70 her wishes. Having al
opportunity to dispose Of his farm AM
stock for a good price, be did SO. and an
other spring time found our countr.
friends safely settled in city quarters.
They purchased handsome house in