Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-02-16
VINES WORK.
Promise me. Charlie I"

:" Promise me, Charlie y
She was leaning playfully over the
back of his chair, looking down into his
face. By She" / mean Mrs Gale, and
"Charlie" was her husband. He had
lust settled himself for quiet after
dinner cigar. But Mrs. Cole had mis-
cheivously snatched it from his hand,
threatening to withhold it until he gave
her the desired promise. And now she
laid one hand caressingly on his fore
head, and stealing the other under his
chin she looked archly yet half earnest
ly down into the dark deeps of his eye,
with her tender blue eyes, as she re-
peated: Promise me, Charlie. Now
do; that's dear p
Nonsense, Virginia r'-And he tried
to put away her hand.
aOh, Charlie !" reproachfully.
"Pashw, do let me go. You'll choke
me-" he said, half impatiently.
"And SO I WILL she cried, merrily,
if you don't promise me, this very
minute, not to drink anything stronger
than pure, cold water at Uncle Logan's
party tonight"
e Yes, yes, yes There, now, | hope
I've promised often enough to satisfy
you
Con your honor?'
Certainly. Yes, of course p
ooh, sir, thought could bring you
to terms. Recollect, you have said on
your honor.
And then, while her face grew
earnest in its pleasing expression, she
added "Oh, Charlie, you don't know
how anxious [ have felt about this party
ever since we decided to go. They
Away have such a gay time at Uncle
Logan's. And you know, dear, though
you would not do wrong thing your
self, how easy it is for your companions
to make you go. too far, because you
are such dear, good-natured fellow.
But now that you have promised me,
feel quite easy. And, dear, don't for
). get when the young men begin to get
too gay, come up stairs to me and
baby"
And he promised.
Going out to an evening party at
Uncle Logan's was no small affair, con-
sidering that it was a good five-mlle
ride from Glendale, out into the coun-
try. over rough roads, with Maple river
swollen by recent rains-to be cross
ed. Fer this was In a remote and Sc
cluded part of Edgland, distant from
any railroad, and no town near where
vehicle might be obtained. Besides,
Virginia Gale was frst-rate horse
woman, and feared nothing on that ac-
count. That she was thus rather rash
and foolhardy, will appear from the
fact that she had resolved to cucumber
herself with burden, though OF very
Interesting kind.
Lights were glimmering from the
windows as they rode up to Uncle Lo-
CANS gate and the number of horses
and vehicles already congregated
around it showed that the invited
guests of the Christmas eve party, were
already beginning to drop in. Aunt
Lizzie came out to the door to meet
them, and took the sleeping babe from
Virgie's poor, tired arms.
Remember, Charlie" she said I'M
ploringly, laying her hand on his shout
der as they were on the point Of sep
arating-she, for Aunt Lizzles CON-
Portable room above stairs-he, for the
society of his boon companions.
"Neyer fear me p and he went, gally
away.
Alas for the promise made to the
fond. credulous wife, sitting up stairs in
the quiet m atronly circle, with her babe
ON her knee. SO proud and happy-for
it was her first child And what young
mother ever failed to appreciate the
dignity of her position at such time?
In less than half hour Charles Gale
had forgotten mis- promise, wife, child,
everything; and again and again his
glass was filled, and his voice raised IN
riotous chorus with the loudest.
The night waned and the guests begin
to disperse. Virgie In the dressing
room all ready for ride, holding In
her lap what seemed to be a huge
bundle of shawls, but which was in
reality little Charlie, who curled up in
his warm nest, fast asleep, with one
little fat thumb in his mouth.
81 wonder what makes Charlie so
late" she said, at last, impatiently.
Aunt Lizzie, will you please send
for him, and say I'm waiting =
He came at length But the first
word he spoke told her all. She knew
at once he was intoxicated, though to
others only very slight excitement
was all that appeared unusual about
him.
Oh the shame She hardly dared
sneak to him. All her thought was to
oee him away before he betrayed bis
condition to other eyes.
aGiye me the child" he said.
And as she did so, she felt that bis
arm was unsteady.
aOh I dare not trust the baby with
him." was her thought, but she was
silent
She could not bear that those around
should know the notifying truth
CT do wish you would stay all night,
Virgie,' spoke Aunt Lizzie. renewing
her entreates. at is SO late and it is
growing colder.