Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-01-19
JEALOUSY.

It is almost impossible to please
everybody. Matte Glenn decided to
please herself, and married Charlie
Cheviot; and consequently she offend
ed all her relations. And now they
were as poor as church mice, and as
happy as two babies to whom butch
er's bills and house rent are mere
dreams; and Providence seemed to have
a special eye over them for awhile, and
both ends were made to meet somehow,
until, one bitter winter day, Charlie
slipped upon the ice, and fell heavily,
breaking his leg and iniuring himself,
as the doctor thought, internally.
His employers were every kind. .
They paid him months salary, and
promised to keep his place for him
but, after ali, that did not help the
young couple to live through the long,
long time which the doctor prophesied
must be passed by Charlie on his back
in utter helplessness. Matters looked
very dark; and as the young man drew
bis wife's head down upon his broad
bosom, and whispered that all would
end we'll at last; he did not quite utter
his full heart.
Had Matte not offended her rela>
tives, things would have been differ
ent; but the only one who would have
relented-old grandfather Glenn-was
as poor as they were, and dependent
on some of his rich children for sup
port.
Alone they must fight it out. Charlie
knew that.
Matte was economical; but there
were medicines and delicacies which
must be had in sickness, but the little
purse grew lighter every day. That
thought made Charlie worse. He grew
feverish and very weak. His cheeks
were hollow and s. cough set in.
IVORY" kills more people than
disease and s'worry was In fair way
of killing him. Not Cor himself. He
was a man every inch Of him. He
could enjoy luxury, and he could
trough it" equally well. It was for
this little wife of his that he grieved
and was anxious. So there he lay,
bound to the wheel of helplessness,
through the long days and the longer
nights, and Matte nursed him. Would
she not get weary of him Z?
Once or twice he missed her for all
hour or two in the morning; and once
she was gore all the afternoon, on some
errand, she said: and foolish as he
knew it was, he suspected that she lin.
gered longer she need ON purpose; and
he feigned to be asleep when she re-
turned, and felt angry, though her kiss
was more tender than ever as she bent
over him.
A change of some sort had come te
her. Did she care no longer for him
was she weary of nursing him? He
never would have changed to her. THAI
thought once in Charles mind, i
weighed upon it until i. seemed {
truth.
Matte came to him one evening, an6
said, in half-abashed whisper, ssM,
dear, you are so much better now, tina
perhaps you would not mind my leaving
you for little sometimes. I have on,
Or two invitations for evenings, ant
would like to accept them"
He answered, not SO much surprised
as hurt, $50, Matte; never mind me
A sick man is poor company b.
turned on his head with sigh that hat
as much bitterness in it as sorrow.
Matte heard it; but perhaps she dit
not read its meaning. She went to he
wardrobe, and took down her treasured
black silk, and put it on. She coaxee
her hair into bewitching curls upol
the forehead, md knotted pink ribbon
at her throat. She unfolded from thei
wrapper her long-hidden weddin,
gloves. With what pang Charley sa,
that, for they had made compact t
keep them forever. She looked at her
self as one looks who wishes to appea
well. Then she said, "Good night
Charlie"
He did not answer. She thought hir
asleep, and only touched his hair softl
with her lips. His medicine and cool
ing drinks were at his hand, and th
room was fresh and orderly. Matti
Locked at il with a little sigh, as sh
went. He did not hear the sigh; ant