Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-30

FIGURES WONT LIE.

''Io-morfoW IS the twenty -iouiIii, ISL
it, Mary pr
The twenty fourth,' answered tho
young wife, sadly.
James Carroll knocked the ashes from
his cigar. held. it carefully between the
thumb and forefngcr of his left hand, and
looked thoughtfully into the fire. Marv's
tired fingers showed no signs of WEAKNESS
but turned the hem of sheet mechanical
ly, then proceeded 10 haste it for sewing.
"Belle will be three three years old - he
said, interrogatively.
Three, James," replied Mary, without
the trace of bright smile lighting up her
pretty young face. James gave a few
more whffs at his nearly consumed cigar,
but did not seem to enjoy it. a listener
would have pronounced Mary a cold, I'M
loving wife, that the genial presence OF
her handsome husband, or the return OF
her baby's birthday failed to please.
Lockers on and listeners do not always
look into the depths of the heart to see
what trials and struggles are there. So
in this instance. Another woman whose
life is all sunshine would have pronounced
Mary Carroll heartless. Poor thing !
She had too much heart for this worlds
trials. Her wedding day was a blissful
one; her husband the ideal of manly per-
lection. His love, unaccompanled by
wealth, was more to her than all the
treasures of the earth. But cloud arose
to dim the brightness of her sky. She
soon made the discovery that he was hui
man, that the love Of wine, and possibly
something stronger, filled his heart, rs
well as the love of his wife. He was not
what the world cclled an Incorporate man
--one glass day does not constitute
drunkard-why should she fear?
At the end of three years he took at
least two glasses day. What had she
to hope for in the years to come?
II wish, Mary, l was able to make Belle
a present every birthday in her life, but
you know it is all ! can do to get along as
it is"
II know it, James, mcekly replied the
wife.
James was ill at ease Something in
Mary's manner disturbed him.
"What makes you SO solemn and quiet,
Mary? Why not sympathize with me, and
say you know ! have hard time to get
along, and that Belle can do without pres
ents better than we can afford to make
them Fox gave me the wood bill this
morning. and James wants to know when
the grocery bill is to be paid. Idon't like
to bother you with these things, only |
want you to understand that as much as
love our little girl, cannot afford to make
her presents"
Mary's color came and went. Tears
stole into her violet eyes, and her heart
beat quick and fast. Her trembling fin
gers guided her needle unsteadily, and
her stitches were long and irregular.
Three long years she had brooded alone
over her husbands weakness without a
reproof, and much as she dreaded to speak
she knew her time had come.
II wish, dear James, could economize
in something, and save money TO buy our
darling present, it seems cruel TO neg
lect her birthday SO soon."
81 know nothing you could be more
prudent in. Mary, and you know am as
economical as possible, don't you ?"
1t was very hard for her lips that had
uttered only words of praise, to say no !;
but strength not her own came to her
aid, and with a smile, the wife uttered
her first rebuke.
''No, James, | am grieved to say that
feel that in some things you are too eX-
travagant. 1t must be "a sin ofignorance.
for / know if you realized 1t you would
never wrong your wife and child"
James started from his seat. His eyes
flashed, and his cheek paled
MARY. are You crazy?"
Not crazy; James, but too clear head,
ed for our happiness"
After the shock had passed, and he was
prepared to listen, she went on, and in a
clear, concise manner, laid before him the
cause of her last bitter words
During the last year you have drank,
at least, two glasses of liquor n day.
haven't yol?"
"Why yes, suppose so. What Of that ?
Only ten cents glass-that cannot ruin a
man."
s.Three hundred and sixty-fve days,
which multiplied by twenty cents amounts
to seventy-three dollars. Three cigars
day, which YOU know is below your aver
age of smoking, will amount to as much
more, which makes one hundred and for
ty-six dollars. Fifty dollars would pay
our coal and grocers bills, now due, and
leave a balance of ninety-six dollars for
baby, you and me. You know, too, the
time spent in drinking and smoking is
worse than wasted, for tobacco and drink
ing poison the system, destroy the health,
sOIten the Draln, weaken the nerves, anu
bring ruin to thousands of happy homes.
There is lack of tenderness for Belle and
me when your nerves are excited by drink
l forgive you freely, but the sting is left
in my heart"
Mary's efforts oyercame her, and she
fell into passionate fit of weeping.
The strong man trembled.
Am blind l. it possible | have
wronged my dearest treasures ?'
They mingled their tears, and talked till
late hour, lying out plans for the future.
and James begged forgiveness of her he
had wronged.
1T is not too late to prove my health and
strength said the penitent man, and so
it proved.
In one year from that day, two beauti-
full silver cups were brought home by the
happy father, one for Bellies fourth birth
day, the other for the wife that saved him
Mary's bore the inscription: IAN angel
saw me falling, and lifted me up" Bellies
was also neatly engraved "A little child
shall lead them.
Years have passed since then, and the
happy couple in the vigor Of life on each
II 4 Il II II