The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-01-01

the Olu One-'ODllSeO 10 meet = iDdH OA
business"-wouldd do, the clock struck ons.
He thought hardly of it, and he muttered
hard words under his breath. Was his
wife awakeP Weuld she notice he had
been drinking beers
Quietly as he came in, Mrs. Brown heard
him, for he was on her mind. He stopped
moment at his chamber door, opened it
liz his stocking feet, started and dropped
his shoes, as she, sitting up in bed, met
him with /:
''Is that yen, Brown? l thought you
would never come my head aches SO ;
hand me that bottle"
He did as he was hidden, muttering ex-
cuses the while for being SO late he was
detained, etc. She did not reply to him.
! He felt this ominous, SO hastened his pro-
ceedings. When the light was out she
turned over and sighed
"The invitation for Amanda's wedding
has come"
He mace no reply.
81 shall be obliged to make her pres
ent, of course. Her mother made me a
present when | was married"
He did not speak.
t'You have not been in the house long
enough the last two months for me to
speak to yJu about this, ," she said sharply,
and waited for an answer.
presents cost money"
''Of course they do !; SO do elections"
He turned uneasily.
''We must make her a present, and a
handsome one, too; owe her one"
''You made bargain, did you?
'If You choose to call it that. | am not
going to be put upon, Mr.. Brown, nor am
going to be made to appear mean. Mrs.
Smith ard Mrs. Jones will give her some
thing, and more will be expected of me, a
relative. l am not got going to see my
name in the paper tackled to pincuShion,
can tell YOU"
Mr.. Brown softly snored.
She had struck the first blow, and would
put in a wedge and leave it.
! ''You think it costs money to do as you
! should do by my relations, but it don't cost
! anything to be out every night for two
months drinking beer, eating supperS, and
! spending time trying to get job Stevenson
elected, and not doing it after all, while
staid at home and took care of the children,
+ who had hardly known they had father
! 1t is my turn now. If you can spend OF
elections l can spend on wedding pres
/ ent."
This was spoken viciously and determin-
edly, as she jerked the bedclothes and
turned her back to kim.
Mrs. Brown was up carly the next morn
ing She was down while he still slept,
saw that the dinning>room was comforta-
BILE, the table nicely set, and ordered his
/ favorite dish, seeing herself TO the coffee,
about which she was particular. She heard
him moving. She took a look in the glass
4 to be sure her collar was neatly arranged
and her hair all right; then, with littie
book in her hand, entered their bed
Brown was drawing on his boots.
els breakfast ready?' he asked, as she
opened the door.
sIt will be i'll few moments" She
, took a seat by the window. Il have some>
thing to read to you" She opened tho
book.
"September--Mr. Byown left home at 6
o'clock in the evening and returned at II.
'sSeptember-Mr. Brown went out be
fore breakfast, carno home at six to dinner,
left at two minutes Of Z. | went to bed
quarter past ten, and he had not returned"
At first in astonishmcnt, not knowing
what was coming Drown had stopped pull
ing on his bopt to listen), he stamped heav-
ily in them while he jerlled down his panta-
looms. She quietly read through Septem-
Der.
October 1.-Nr. Brown did not get up
until breakfast was eu the table. lAlr
Brown soused his face in the water, rubbed
his head and ears Justify, and did not hear.)
Mr.. Brown came home at tc dinner /;
MIR. S. called for him, and they went oat
together. He came in at five minutes
to 12"
<<October 3-Mr."-Brown WINGED as
he dragged the comb through his head,
seized the brush, used it once or twice,
threw it in the corner of the room, and
turned to get his handkerchief Mrs.
Brown paused in her reading.
az have kept regular account, Mr.
Brown, and in two months, Sundays in
cluded, except when asleep, you have
spent only eighteen hours and twenty min
utes With your family, while | have re-
mained at home and shaved for them, and
now I cannot make my cousin wedding
present because it will cost money. very
well, shall wTito to my mother to come
and keep house for me. | shall 60 TO the
wedding and stay and pay Amanda visit"
The house shook with the slam Mr.
Brown gave Tie door as he went out.
When she reached the dining-room he
was seated at the table. His appcJite was
excellent, and he enjoyed his breakfast
She was soft-vo;ced, amiable, talked 4
great deal ia the children. 1t was late
when the meal was over. Brown hurried
up stairs, hurried down and closed tie