The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-03-25

impair your appetite; and then. aftel
tea we will talk it all over. God doeth
everything for the best! 'And as our
day 80 shall our strength bev"
In the evening it was decided that
the quarters rent should be paid i'm
mediately, a new supply of coal OBJ
tanned, and the remaining portion OF
the money placed in the wife's hands,
to be dealt out as sparingly as psssi-
BILE. Then Mary suggested that all
her pretty parlor furniture should be
slowed away in the garret, and the
front room let out. Further than this
they could lay no plans, and her hus-
band went out to pay his rent, the fu-
ture looked so dark to the young wife
that che could not altogether restrain
her tears but seeking strength from
on high, her face wore the same cheer
full smile when her husband returned,
md ffttIe did he know that during all
that long night, while he and his babe
were soundly sleeping. his wife lay
awake planning out the future,
Three months have passed, with
scarcely a days work in all that time,
and now another quarters rent is due,
in vain the laborer thrusts his hands
down into his empty pockets, and in
vain racks his brain for some solution
of the problem how that rent is to be
paid. The lodgsr had paid his money
monthly ;but then that was not enough
to meet the sum if he had it, and of
course his wife had spent that as fast
as she received it. as it was an every
day wonder to James how Mary man
aged 50 well.
With feelings of deep despair he
entered the house. The table was
spread with his same favorite dishes.
There was the short cake and toast,
flanked with the golden lump of but
ter, plate of honey, and deep dish
of roasted apples, to be served with
sugar and cream, while at his wifes
plate sat the steaming teapot. AS
James took it all in at a glance, he
greatly wondered at the frugal yet
comfortable way of living. How his
wife had been able to make the small
amount of money last so long was
mystery to him, and yet he could not
help wishing inwardly that she had
been more economical; then, perhaps
the rent might have been better paid
and he felt that it would have been
better to have subsisted on one crust
a day rather than to have been turned
out of doors homeless.
He refused to sit up to the table,
pleading that he had no appetite. And
great large tears arose in the strong
mans eyes as he informed his wife
that on the morrow they would be
turned from their home, to go, he
knew not whittier, as he had not q
dollar in his pocket to secure them
even a room else ewhere.
"Is it that ?" exclaimed his wife, in
soft, ripping tones; and tripping up
stairs she soon returned and placed
two ten dollar bills in his hand.
"Where did you get them ?" he ex-
eagerly turning them over
and oyer in his hands, as though to as
certain whether they were genuine or
not.
Il earned them;" replied his wife,
gaily. l knit afghans, shawls, chill
dren's sacques, hoods and socks; at
first only for those whom proyiden-
tally heard wished articles OF the
kind afterwards was employed to
furnish trimming establishment
with my work"
Aud kept it a secret from me?"
Yes, because L thought you would
be worrying for fear that l was doing
too much. love to knit dearly, and
it more Of pleasant pastime
than labor"
"God be praised for giving me such
1 woman!" exclaimed her husband.
and pressing his wife and child TO his
bosom, he said: "Her children arise
up and call her blessed; her husband |
also, and he praiseth her; for many |
daughters have done virtueusly; but
thou excellest them all"
Twenty years have passed, and |
James Hawley is rich man. But
Joseph Smith is a confirmed drunkard |
while his wife has long since passed !
from earth, a victim of misery and
want.
Why will not all wives assist their |
husbands to bear their trials, with !
helping hands and willing hearts? If
hey would do this how many fami- |
les would be saved from ruin, and |
how sweet would be their reward,
not only OH earth, but in heaven!