Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-28

Ou are very kluu, uC ldlIeT6U, the
instincts of a gentleman battling with the
strong desire to tell Lima she would GER
tainly drive him into lunatic asylum by
six months more of her model house
keeping.
Not at all. a man who has made an
unfortunate marriage certainly needs all
the aid and sympathy his family can
give him"
The last straw was laid upon the cam
els back. Herbert spoke hotly: You
are entirely mistaken, Lima! have not
made an unfortunate marriage If ever
a man was blessed in a wife, 7 am that
man"
You amaze me, Herbert" Lima cried,
in well-feigned establishment.
Il do not see why you should be sur
prised. Essie is gentle, loving, orderly,
a model mother and perfect home angel
God bless herr'
" Herbert, is that true?n
Certainly it is true"
" [ cannot believe it" was the slow re-
Spouse.
cannot believe 1t! Why?"
Because"-and Lima dwelt impress
sively upon every word" during the
nine years Of your married life, though
visiting here frequently, l have never
heard you speak one word of encourage
ment or praise to Essie. Inever saw one
look Of appreciation or appreciation of
any effort she made for your comfort
upon your face. Continual fault-fnding,
constant blame, have changed her from
happy, winsome girl to pale, care
worn TToman. Even her last illness was
but the unspOken despair of a heart
crushed under load of daily censure
and constant striving for the approba-
tion never given. And you tell me now
she has never failed in her duty to you
There is grave error somewhere, broth
err"
The sadly earnest tone, the face of
thoughtful gravity, sent every word
home to Herbert Worthington's heart.
He spoke no word of self -defesse as
Lima slowly left the room. In the pro-
found silence that followed, conscience
reviewed the past, and he knew that his
sister had spoken only the truth. The
habit of fault-fnding, meeting no resist
ance in Essie's gentleness, had gained in
force till all it's monstrosity stood re-
vealed in the experience of the past
month and Lina's words.
In the days when EssIe lay dangerous
ly i'll there had been no sef-reproach like
this in her husbands sorrow. He had
given his wife fair home, an ample in
come, frequent social pleasure, many
costly gifts, and loved her faithfully
while poisoning her whole life.
God help me-" he whispered, ito
conquer this fault. Essie shall hear no
more fault-fnding, and if see her droop-
ing will send her to mother and have
Lima here to keep house.
Never had wife and mother warmer
welcome than greeted Essie. The chill
dren were unchecked in the loudest
demonstrations of delight. But Lima
had to rush into the hall to hide her
merry eyes when Herbert, kissing Essie,
said:
1--WE must let mother have Lima now,
dear. She has been very kind and
worked hard for my comfort; but there
is no home fairy like my Essie''
: The quick, glad look IN his wife's soft
eyes told Herbert one step had been
taken in the right direction. AS the
days glided by, and Essie found appre
citation meeting every effort to add to
home comfort, a word of praise for every
little triumph of cookery or needlework,
her pale face grew bright with happi-
ness. Gradually the careworn express
sion was obiiterated by one Of sweet
content, and Herbert found his own
heart lightened by the cheerful voice,
the sunny smile, the bright eyes of Essie
he had wooed years before.
And Lima, making a visit six months
later, told her mother on her return:
Herbert learned his lesson by heart,
mother. He appreciates Essie now at
her value, and lets her k1aoW Gt"-Hea1M
and Home.