The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-01-06

needs, and fostered the selfishness G
her husband that it was hard to brea
through the meshes of habit whic
his stern will had woven around re,
The afternoon wore away, and Mrs
Giles laid aside the unfinished gar
ment to prepare the evening meal.
The next morning at breakfast sh
remarked to her husband that an agen
for sewing machine had called tn
day previous, and wished her to tr!
one of his machines.
81 told him." she said, 'she nigh
leave one when he came next week.
Mr.. Giles laid down his knife ant
fork and sat with utter amazement de
picted upon his countenance. GA
sewing machine!' he gasped, when hi
| had recovered himself. He needn'
leave any of his new tangled hum
bugs here; have no use for them."
"But | have"
| "You !" interrupted he; "don't see
what use .youhave for machine. You
could never learn to use it; or, if you
did, what have you to sew7 Only
my clothes and the boys.' Women
nowadays, are getting mighty indie
pendent, wanting machines to do their
work, too lazy to do it themselves.
Suppose they want to gad about and
gossip about their neighbors." oeiq
"Why, Phillip"
"Woman's work is nething," contin-
ued Mr.. Giles, not needing the inter-
ruption. "My mother had not as
many conveniences for doing her
work as you have, yet she always had
her meals regular and we'll cooked
and that is more than l can say for
you. No. l don't want any sewing
machine about my house. God made
as good sewing machine as 1 want
when he made womaa." a5t
With this ultimatum he left the ia
BILE, anl taking his hat mounted his
horse aud rode away to look at the
new reaper he contemplated buying.
One by one the members of the
family finished their breakfast and
passed out, leaving Mrs. Giles alone.
She sat with her head resting en- her
hand; her thoughts wandered back TO
the days, when in the freshness of her
youth, she gave her hearts deepest
and best affections to Philip Giles.
Blinded by her great love for him she
SAW not the extreme selfishness nor
coarseness OF his promises, and heed.
ed not the warning of her friends.
1t seemed a long time since then, 80
many shadows had darkened their
pathway darker yet seemed to- grow
life's rugged journey. She saw. her
six sons growing up around her, r,amidst
rough and evil inf lences, without the
ability to s.counteract them. Mrs. Giles
remained long time bowed over that
breakfast table, praying with sense
of helplessness and feeling of need
such as she had never before expert
enced. A loud rap at the door STAR
tied her. On opening it she found Mr..
Harris had called to pay off note
which had long been due; note
which Mr.. Giles had often declared he
should never be able to collect. The
poor wretch" he insisted, "will never
be able to save enough to pay his
honest debts, while his wife spends all
his earnings on such things as wash
ing machines" .rs5-
Mrs. Giles informed Mr.. Harris of
her husbands absence, but said she
would attend to the business. When
all was satisfactorily settled and Mr..
Harris had gone,, Mrs. Giles sat for
some time looking at the rell of money
in her hand.
At length a new thought came in
her mind. Carefully placing the bills
in her pocket, she went into the
kitchen and finished the mornings
work. and then dressing herself, she
walked down to the station, which
was only q quarter of mile distant.
She was just in time for the morning
train for the city, ten miles away.
1t was nearly four o'clock in the
afternoon when she returned home,
Mr.. Giles was still absent; Leonard,
he eldest son, was in the yard with
the team.
"IIeigho, Mother" said he, 81 was
ust going to look for you. thought
It was too bad for you always to have
10 walk"
swell, my son." you would not
baye found me. ] have been to the
;ity."
"rhe city! Gee Whittakerv' and
Leonard gave prolonged whistle.
"Yes," said Mrs. Giles, getting into
he wagon. "And now 1 wish you to
20 to the station and bring home my
purchases"
Leonard mounted beside her, say
ng, "And SO the old man did shell
,ut for once in his lite and give you a
title money, did he 2"
Mrs. Giles reproved Leonard for
peaking thus of his father, but he
"Well, can't help it. l think it a
mean shame. lie never gives you
,ent to spend, but sends you to the
store at the corner with the same cid
,rder: 'Please let the bearer have
what she needs.' L would make it
to need a great many
hings If l were you,"
1t was late when Mr.. Giles returned.
He hastily dismounted and gave his
lOrse to one of the boys. Entering
he house he called for his supper in
10 gentle tones. Fortunately supper
was just ready. Having satisfied his
ravenous appetite he arose from the
liable. saying;-