The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-10-08

ms good a 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 Mt the new reaper
which he contemplated buying.
One by one the members OF the family
finished their breakfast and passed out,
leaving Mrs. Giles alone. She sat with
her head resting upon her hand f; her
thoughts wandered back to the days
when, in the freshness of her youth, she
gave her hearts deepest and best affec-
tons to Philip Giles Blinded by her
! great love for him she saw not the ex-
| treme seltishness nor coarseness of his
nature. She implicitly believed all his
! promises, and needed not the warning
of her friends.
1t seemed long time since then, so
many shadows had darkened their path
way darker yet seemed TO grow life's
rugged journey. She saw her six sons
growing up around her, amidst rough
and evil influences, without the ability
to counteract them. Mrs. Giles re-
manned n long time bowed over that
breakfast table, praying with a sense of
helplessness and feeling of need, such
as she had never before experienced. A
loud rap Mt the door startled her. On
opening it she found Mr.. Harris had
called to pay off note which had long
been due ; Il note Mr.. Giles had often
declared he should never be able to col
lect "The poor wretch, he insisted,
60 will never be able TO save enough to
pay his honest 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 look
ing at the roll of money in her hand.
AT length a new thought came in her
mind. Carefully placing the bills in her
pocket, she went into the kitchen and
hurriedly finished the mornings work,
and then dressing herself, she walked
down to the station, which was but
quarter of mile distant. She was Just
in time for the morning train for the city,
ten miles away.
1t was nearly o'clock in the after
noon when she returned home. Mr..
Giles was still absent Leonard, the
eldest son, stood in the yard with the
team.
"Heigho, MOTHER" said lie, CT was
just going to look for you. / thought
it was too bad for you always to have to
walk.
"Well, my son, she replied, "you
would not have found me. I have been
to the city"
"The cityl Gee Whitaker !" and
Leonard gave a prolonged whistle.
"Yes, said Mrs. Giles, getting into
the wagon. "And now l wish you to |
to go the station with me and bring my
purchases.
Leonard mounted beside her, saying
"And so the old man did shell out for
once i'll his life and give you little
money, did hel"
Mrs. Giles reproved Leonard for speak |
ing thus of his father, but he continued |
"Well, l can't help it. think it a
mean shame. He never gives you n cent |
to spend, but sends you to the store at
the corner with the same old order
Please let the bearer have what she |
needs. / would make it convenient to |
need great many things if were YOU"
1t was late when Mr.. Giles returned. |
He hastily dismounted, and gave his |
horse to one of the boys. Entering the |
house he called for his supper i'll no gen
tie tones. Fortunately, supper was Just /.
ready. Having satisfied his ravenous
appetite, he rose from the table, say
ing,
"Come, boys, it's time that you were
III bed. III want you by daybreak in
the morning" ;" and, setting the example, |
Mr.. Giles went TO bed, and was soon
asleep.
About II o'clock, Mrs. Giles, having
finished her work, and made prepara-
tions for breakfast, retired to rest. Be
ing much fatigued by the days excite
ment she soon slept heavily.
After the first nap Mr.. Giles was rest !
less and uneasy. He tossed and turned
from side to side, but no more sleep for
him so he concluded to get up. Hav-
ing dressed himself, he took the candle |
and proceeded to the kitchen. The
slender, tallow dip threw lurid light
around the apartment. Things seemed
to have changed since morning. Rails
ing the light above his head, he gazed
long and earnestly around the kitchen.
There stood "A new stove, with its black
and polished face, smiling upon him
row of bright and shining tinware was
neatly arranged on the shelf behind it,
Turning around, his eye fell upon a
washing machine with wringer at
tached. Taking hold of the crank, and
giving q turn or two, he said,
"a sewing machine, by thunder
But how in the name of common sense
they sew upon it is more than ] can
tell"
Placing the candle on table, he came
i'll contact with patent churn.
What another blasted concern
Polly, Polly !" he screamed, seizing the
candle, and hurrying back into the
sleeping room.
In his haste his foot caught in the
framework of sewing-machine, and he
fell full length in the middle of the
floor, while the candle found resting
place on the opposite side of the room.
Mrs. Giles, suddenly aroused from a
sound sleep, started up in a bewildered
way, saying,
"wHat is it, Philip What's the
,ooffarcO