The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-02-03
JAMES CARaoLI,s WEAKNESS.

sadly.
James Carroll knocked the ashes
from his cigar, held it carefully be-
tween the thumb and forehnger of his
left hacd and looked thoughtfhlly in
to the FIRE.
Mary's tired fingers showed no signs
of weariness, but turned the hem of
sheet mechanically, and then proceed
ed to basteit for sewing.
"Belle will be three years DID," he
said, interrogatively.
"Three James," replied Mary, with
out trace Of bright smile lighting
up her pretty face. James gave q
few more Wits at his nearly consumed
cigar, but he did not seem to enjoy it
much. A listener would have pro-
nonncsd Mary a colt unlovipg wife,
that the presence Of her husband, or
the return or her baby's birthday
failed to please.
Lockers on and listeners do not al
ways look into the depths of the heart
to see what struggles are there. So in
this instance. Another woman whose
life was all sunshine, would have pro.
nounced Mary beartless. Poor thing!
She had too much heart for this worlds
trials. Her wedding day was a bliss
ful one her husband the ideal Of man
ly perfection. His love, unaccompa-
MED by wealth was worth more to her
than all the treasures of earth. But
a cloud arose to dim the brightness of
her sky. She soon made the discUve-
ry that he was but human; and that
the love Of wine and possibly some
thing stronger, filled his heart, as well
as the love of his wife. He was not
what the world called an Incorporate
man-one glass Il dky does not consti-
tute drunkard, why should she fear
At the end of three years he took at
least two glasses a day. What had
she to hope for in years to come.
II wish Mary, l was able to make
Belle present every birthday, in her
life, but you know that it is all that /
can do to get along as it is"
II know it James," meekly replied
the wife.
James was i'll 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 I had a
hard time to get along, and that Belle
can do without presents better than
we can afford to give them2 Fox
gave me wood bill thismorning, and
James wants to know when the grocery
bill is to be paid. I don't like to
bother with these things, only / want
you to understand that as much as ]
love our little girl, / can't afford to
make her presents"
Mary's color came and went. Fears
stole into her violet eyes and her
heart beat quick and fast. Her trem-
bling fingers guided her needle un-
steadily, and her stitches were long
and irregular. Three long years she
brooded along over her husbands s
weakness without reprcof, and much
as she dreaded to speak she knew her
time had come.
81 wish, dear James, I cupla econos
mize in something and save money to
buy our darling present. 1t seems
cruel TO neglect her birthday so soon"
II know nothing you could be more
prudent in, Mary, and you know l am
as economical as possible, don't you"
1t was very hard for the lips that
had uttered only the loving words OF
praise to say no; but strength not
her own came to her aid, with sweet
smile, the wife uttered her first re-
buke.
"No, James, l am grieved to say
that in some things you are too ex-
travagant 1t must be a sin of ignor.
ance, for l know if you realized it you
would never wrong your wife and
child"
James started from his seat. His
eyes flashed and his cheeks paled.
"Maryl you are .cRzy y
''Not crazy, James, but clear head
ed for your happiness
After the first shock passed, and he
was prepared to listen, she went on,
and in a clear, concise manner, laid
before him the cause of her bitter
words:
During the last year you have
drank at least two glasses of liquor a
day haven't your"
"Why, yes, suppose so. What Of
thati"
"Only ten cents glass that can't
ruin a man."
"Three hundred and sixty days
which multiplied by twenty cents
amounts to seventy-three dollars. And
three cigars a day, which | know is