The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-12-27

the burden Of little Johnny has fallen
on me-"
"Itstrikes ME, said he, with pro.
roking complaccncy Of tone, "that if
you earned his living you would have
less to soy about the burden falling on
you"
"John," said I, "answer me hon.
estly. Do you work any harder or any
longer now than you did when he was
born :"
81 don't know rs l do" said he; ~
always worked hard enough"
"Well, and so do I. But now as to
johnny. Ipresume you will allow you
self half owner OF him, as the law allows
you entire control over him. How much
do you do for him I"
~ maintain him. do my pa t."
"No, John, you are wrong; you don't
do your part. From the first you never
have. Did not weary months go by in
which you bore no part whatever Of the
burden?"
"Well, that is curious complaining !;
what would you have me dol"
"You might have got servant, in
stead of letting all the housework fall
OIL me; or you might have kept horse
so that could ride out and enjoy the
fine weather; but that is NIL past now. "
~ should say that it cost me enough
for the doctor, nurse, ETC., without
talking about keeping horse"
"True, it cost enough; but I nm talk
ing about the division Of the burden.
Was the part you bore in the payment
OF those bills equal to my part in the
matter2 Would you have taken my
place for that money if it were to have
been paid you instead OF those who
cared for you? I think not"
"Didn't have all his clothes to
buyl"
OF any sort for season, and the money
saved from my wardrobe supplied all
that was needed; and I might add that
all lis other clothes have been got in
the same way"
"Well, really, l had no idea how
much Of a martyr you were. Next you
will he clothing me in the same way.
How thankful I ought to be for so calcu-
hitting a wife,"
".Now, in these two years." said /,
continuing in tho face of his snecr, "Nll
Of tile care and confinement consequent
Oh attending the child have fallen on
me. I have managed some way to nc
complish my housework and sewing as
used. I can hardly think how it has
been done. Did it ever occur to you
TO think how many times I have been to
church since he was born I"
"You wouldn't expect n man to take
care Of baby, would youl That isn't
n mau's work"
"Isn't It'll" said I. bitterly; then I
wouldn't have n baby. l haye been to
church Just four times, and then some
visitor had staid with johnny. How
many times did you ever get up in the
night to soothe him when he haq been
sick and fretful?"
How do you suppose, said he, al
could work by day if I didn't get my
nights sleepl"
"Just tho samo way that 1 do when
my night is broken, exactly"
"Well, Sarah, what is the drift OF all
this talk, my way' for l don't see any
use in prolonging it."
"Well, then it is my original state.
ment-tbat us I did my part Of the fami.
ly labor and took NIL the care Of Johnny,
and you are n man in prosperous cir
cumstanccs, 1 an entitled to US much
money for that rs ii were employed and
paid by tho month for the same work,
and I havo n right to spend money for
things that don't suit you, if I please to
do so and I may add," said I, with n
sudden vehemence, "that it is mean and
contemplate i'll You to try to oppose or
forbid my doing So"
Johu said no moro. saw by the
look in his eyes that hc was quite angry !;
ind so was /. That was tho first time
in our married life that we failed to kiss
each other goodnight. Indeed, l felt
guilty, though hardly know why, but
was late before l fell asleep.
The next morning all was serene. No
trace remained of the evenings storm,
but nothing more was said about the
obnoxious subscriptions. Next day l
met Mrs. West, md she thanked me
very much for doubling my money.
Dear John He didn't mean to bo
unkind, but hc had never stopped to
think auout such things. When his
next settlement came, aud he slipped n
$40 bill into my hand and said, "That
is for your private purse" really
thought he was the best husband in tho
world