Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-23


Oh, we shall have time," interrupted
Mary, briskly: "we can make the place
look so nice before he's home; he'll be
so surprised"
"Well you are making me feel quite
bustling," answered Mrs Parkins, pleas
! antly, as she rose from her chair.
Both set to work with will, and in
less than an hour quite change had taken
place in this home. Not only was the
cottage itself in order to receive its master,
but the wife and little ones presented such
| a trim appearance that Mr.. Parkins him
self would scarcelyhave recognized them.
No cottage home could look more COM
Portable. The tea-things were set, and the
curtains were drawn; and as Mrs. Par
kins sat enjoying the fire whose cheerful
blaze lighted UP every corner Of the little
| room, she began to look back over the
years Of her past life. She had time to
good, and Mary, after all her kindness,
had taken her departure. But the good
she had done remained behind her. Its
healthy influence was at work in the cot
| tage home that November evening.
Guardian angels must have drawn near
and brought holy power with them!
Jane Parkins was beginning to see her
faults more clearly; and as the new light
dawned upon her she resolved to guard
against them.
There should be no more gossiping with
neighbOrs! This, she saw, was the foun-
dation of her untidy home, and also the
cause of the many quarrels that had taken
place between herself and husband. This
bad habit, given up, would leave plenty
of time for keeping her house in order,
and for attending to her duties as wife
and mother.
But where is Tom?" she asks herself
after long and thoughtful pause; "he
| certainly ought to be home by this time
With look of anxiety ON her face she
glanced at the large Dutch clock, and saw
that it was half an hour over his time al
ready.
She went to the door and tried to look
down the Row, but the fog that had been
gathering when she let Mary out had be-
come SO dense that she could only see a
few yards before her.
Yes, the fog had increased, and walk
ing was most uncomfortable Along the
crowded thoroUg hfares people were hast
ening home, cheered by the memory of
the loving faces which would welcome
them at the end of their journey, and
which made home home to them.
CHAPTER IL
1t was not with any of these pleasure
able feelings that Tom Parkins turned his
face homeward; indeed, the nearer he APP
preached his own neighborhood, the
heavier grew the frown upon his brow
1--we borne it as long as l can-what's
the good of toiling and saving? I may
just as well spend a bit Of money on my
SELF" were his thoughts.
Just at this moment he came to tavern,
the bright light from which shone full on
his gloomy face. Three men were going
in at the door, but one of them catching
sight of Tom, stepped back, and grasped
him warmly by the hand. as he said:
"Well, Old fellow-itis you l thought
] couldn't be mistaken"
Then as the other two men came I'D,
hearty greetings were exchanged all
round.
There's no reason for us to stand out
in this fog" said the first speaker
'we're just going IN to knock about the
balls bit, and to have glass-you'n
make one of us, Parkins, won't your"
The other two Joined in with,
"Come now, do; yes. you must-you
are not going to get off in that way"
Tom hesitated and said no, he could
not, for he must get home to his wife; but
as he spoke the miserable picture of his
comfortless home rose before him and as
he glanced at the half open door of the
tavern the light and warmth seemed to en-
courage him to yield to the wishes OF Ii his
tempters.
Come now, do! Never mind about the
wife; she can spare you for an hour or
two"
ooh, yes; she can spare me well
enough!' replied Tom, with some bitter
ness.
Well, then, what's to prevent you
having game or two at bagatelle-got
something about you dare say that you
would like to double" And the speaker
gave a knowing look at his companions,
whilst Tom answered openly:
Yes, I've my weeks wages, but l
should be more afraid of losing it instead
of doubling it,"
He spoke very firmly and at the same
time held out his hand, and wished his
tempters good night; but they had no
intention of letting their prey slip through
their fingers, and they renewed their
persuasions that he should make one of
them.
Tom wavered, and he began to argue
with himself. ..
If l do go in this once, I'm not
obliged to become drinking man, and
surely the tavern will be more comforta-
BILE than my untidy home?"
But, speaking aloud, he said:
Ill