The Van Buren press., 1876-04-18
MISCELLANY.
Wines Work.

She was leaning playfully over the
back of his chair, looking down into his
face By "she l mean Mrs. Gale. and
" Charlie was her husband He had
just settled himself for quiet after.din
ner cigar. But Mrs. Gale had mischev.
ously snatched it from his hand, threat
ening to withhold it until he gave the de-
sired promise. And now she laid one
s.ssn Asaa saTsssi9Y|y Ss on Da biz ehsea sRa @
looked archly yet half earnestly down in
to the dark deeps Of his eyes, with her
tender blue eyes as she repeated" +" Prom.
Use me, Charlie. Now do that's dear !"
Nonsense. Virginia and he tried
to put away her hand. -f
:" oh, Charlie!' reproachfully.
"Pshaw, do let me 60. You'll choke
me-" he said, half impatiently
"And so will" she cried, merrily,
"if you don't promise me, this very min
ute, not to drink anything stronger than
pure, cold water at Uncle Logan's party
to night.
"Yes, yes, yes! There, now, l hope
I've promised enough to satisfy YOU
"On your honor2'
Certainly Yes, Of counsel"
"Oh, sir, l 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 anx.
ious have felt about this party ever since
we decided to go. They always havs
such gay time at Uncle Logan's, And
you know, dear, though you would not
do wrong thing yourself, how easy i,
is for your companions to make you 60
too for, because you are such q dear,
good natured fellow, Butnow you have
promised me. l feel quite easy. Aud,
dear, don't forget when the young men
begin to get too say, come up stairs to
me and baby"
And he promised.
Going out to an evening party at Uncle
! Lcgan's was no small affair, considering
that it was a good fve.mile ride from
Glendale, out into the country, over
rough roads, with Maple river-swollen
BY recent rains--to be crossed. For this
was in remote and secluded part Of Eng
land. distant from any railroad, and no
town near where vehicle might be OBJ.
tanned. Besides. Virginia Gale WAS q
first-rate horse woman, and feared moth
ing ON that account. 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 we're glimmering from the win
dows as they rode up to Uncle Logan's s
gate, and the number of horses and vehi.
cles already congregated around il show.
ed that the invited guests of the Christ
mas 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 implor.
ingly. laying her nand on his shoulder,
as they were on the point Of separating
she, for Aunt Lizzie's comfortable room
above stairs-he, for the society of his
boon companions.
"Never fear me!' and he went gaily
away -.
Alas ! for the promise made to the fond.
credulous wife, sitting up stairs in the
quiet matronly circle, with her babe on
her knee, so proud .and happy--for i,
was her first child. And what young
mother ever failed to appreciate the dig
nifty of her position at such timeS
In less than half an hour Charlie Gale
had forgotten his promise, wife, child.
everything; and again his glass was fill
ed, and his voice raised in riotous chorus
with the loudest.
The night waned and the guests began
to disperse. Virgiein the dressing room
all ready for ride, holding in her lap
what seemed to be huge bundle Of