Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-11-24


and faint determination to assert
her rights, was entering her mind.
She had SO long given up her opin-
ions, set aside her needs and fos-
tered the selfishness of her husband,
that it was hard to break through
the meshes of habit which his stern
will had woven around her. The
afternoon wore away, and Mrs
Giles laid aside the unfinished gar
ment to prepare the evening meal.
The next morning at breakfast
she remarked to her husband that
an agent for sewing machine had
called the day previous, and wished
her to try one of his machines.
81 told him." she said, "he might
leave one when he came next"
Mr.. Giles laid down his knife
and fork and sat with utter amaze
ment depicted on his countenance,
ga sewing machine p he gasped
when he had recovered himself
"He needn't leave any of his new
tangled humbugs hero; l have nc
use for them"
"But l have"
"You!" interrupted he; "don't
see what use you have for ma
chine. You could never learn to
use it or if you did, what have
you to sewl Only my clothes and
the boys. Women, nowadays,
are getting mighty indeper Gen. I,
wanting machines to do their work
too lazy to do it themselves. Sup
d ,se they want to CAD about and
gossip about their neighbors.
"Why, Philip
"Woman's work is nothing con.
tinued Mr.. Giles, not needing the
interruption. "My mother had moi
as many conveniences for doing
her work as you have, yet she al
ways had her meals regular and
well cooked, and that is more than
I can say for you. No, l don't
want any sewing machines about
my house. God made as good q
sewing machine as / want when he
made woman"
With this ultimatum he left the
table, and taking his hat, mounted
his horse and rode away to look at
the new reaper which he contem-
plated buying.
One by one the members of the
family finished their breakfast and
passed out, leaving Mrs. Giles
alone. She sat with her head rest
ing on her hand her thoughts
wande. ed back to the days when
in the freshness of her youth, she
gave her hearts deepest and best
affections to Philip Giles. Blinded
by her great love for him she saw
not the extreme selfshness nor
coarseness Of his nature. She i'm
plicitly believed all his promises,
and needed not the warning of her
friends.
1t seemed long time since then,
so many shadows had darlxened
their pathway; darker yet seemed
to grow life's rugged journey. She
saw her six sons growing up around
her, amid rough and evil infu-
ences, without the ability to count
eract them. Mrs. Giles remain
ed a long time bowed over
that breakfast table, praying with
a sense Of helplessness and a
feeling Of need, such as she had
never before experienced. A loud
rap at the door startled her. On
opening It she..found Mr.. Harris had
called to pay off q note which had
long been due (; note, Mr.. Giles
had often declared he should never
be able to collect. "The poor
wretch" he insisted, "will never be
able to save enough to pay his hon.
est debts, while his wife spends all
his earnings on such foolish things
as washing machines"
Mrs. Giles informed Mr.. Harris
OF her husbands absence, but said
she would attend to the business,
when all was satisfactorily settled
and Mr.. Harris had gone, Mrs
Giles sat for some time looking al
the roll of money In her hand.
AT length new thought came
into her mind. Carefully placing
the bills In her pocket, she went
into the kitchen and hurridly I'm
ished her mornings work, and ther
dressing herself, she walked dowr
to the station, which was quarter