Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-01-13
WINES WORK,
"PrOmise me, Charlie !"

"Pr0mise me, Charlie"
J. She Was leaning playfully over the back
Of his chair, looking down into his face
BY ''she'' mean Mrs. Code, and Char.
lie'' WAS her husband. He had just set
tied himself for quiet afferiainnjr 'Ui-
gar. But Mrs. Gale had miscllievously
sns,ched it from his hand, threatening t"
Withhold it until he gave her the desired.
promise. sAnd now she laid one hand ca
rtssingly on his forehead, and stealing
The other under his chin she looked arch
ly yet half earnestly down into the dark
depths Of his eyes. with her tender blue
eyes, as she repeated: Promise me, Char
lie. Now. do; that's dear!''
"N"nscnse, Virginia!'- he tried to
put her away.
"Oh, Chariie!" reproachfully.
"Pshaw, do let me 60. You'll choke
me-" he said, half impatien,ly.
And 50 WILL" she cried, merrily, "if
you don't promise me this very minute,
not t" drink anything stronger than pure
::;.'.ld water, at Uncle -Logan's party to-
Eyes, yes, yes| There, now, hope I've
promised often enough to satisfy YOU"
ION your honor?''
"Certainly. Yes, of course"
"Oh, sir, thought I could bring you to
terms. Rccollcct 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 l have felt about this party ever since
you decided to go. They a.&hys have
such a gay time ut Uncle Logan's. And
you know, dear, though you would not
do wrong thing yourself, how easy it is
for your companions to make you go too
far, because you are such dear, good
tured fellow. But now that you have
promised nc, l feel quite easy. And, dear,
don't forget when the young men begin
to get too gay, come up stairs to me and
baby"
And he promised.
Going out to IN evening party at Uncle
Logan's was no small affair, considering
that it was good five mile ride from
Glendale, out into the country, over
rough roads, with Maple River-swollen
by recent rains-tO be crossed. For this
vas in remote and secluded rart Of
England, distant from any railroad, and
With 10 town near where a vehicle might
be obtained. Besides, Virginia Gale was
!, firsl-ra,e hOrsewOman, and feared nOth-
ing on her own account. That she was
thus rather rash and toolhardy, will ap
pear from the fact that she had resolved
t. cncunber herself with burden, though
If a very interesting kind.
Lights were glimmcring from the win
dows as they rode up to Uncle Logan's
gate; and the number horses and vehicles
already congrcgated around it showed
tha, the invited guests Of the Christmas
eve party were already beginning to drop
in. Aunt Lizzie came out to the door to
NICE, them, and took the sleeping babe
from Vlrgic's poor, tired arms.
"i.cmcn,bcr, Charlie" she said implor-
ingly laying her head OH his shoulders as
they were on the point OF separating
she tor Aunt Lizzic's comfortable room
above stairs, he for the society Of his
boon cOmptElOns.
"Ncvcr fear met" And he went gaily
away.
Alas! for the plomisc made to the fond,
crcduluus wife, sitting up stairs in the
quiet Mltronly circle, with her babe on her
Knee, so proud and happy-for it was her
first Child. And what young mother ever
failed to to appreciate tue dignity Of her
Position 1T such Il time!
In less than half al hour Charles Gale
had forgotten ris promise, wife, Child
everything; and again and again his
glass WAS filled, and his voice raised in
rs'ious chorus with the loudest.
lf:ie nj yl:: %anIied ant. tllt guests began
t. disrcrse. Eirgic sat in the dressing
r.s,m all ready f,r the ride, holding in
ier lap what seemed to he ii huge bundle
OF sllawls, but which was in reality little
Charlie who lay curled up i'll his warn,
rest fast asle' p, with one little fat thumb
in his n,ou,a.
Il wonder what makes Charlie 80 la,c,' -
she said, y, last impa,iently.
Aunt Lizzie, will you please send for
him aid say I'm waiiing!'
liz came at length. But the first words
he spoke told her all. She knew ut once
tha, he was intoxicated, though to others
only a very slight cxcit, ment was all thu,
appeared unusual abcu, him.
OH! the shame! She hardly dared
speak TO Him. All her thought was to gc
him away before he betrayed his condi
ton to other eyes.
"Givc me thu child" lie said.
And rs she did, she felt that his arm
was unsteady
! "Oh! | dare no, trust the baby Will
him." was her thought, but she was 81
lent.
She could not bear that those arount
should know the mortifS ing truth.
NJ DO wish you would stay all night
Virgic," spoke Aunt Lizzie, renewing he1
cntrcatics. 1T is 50 late and it is grow
ing colder"
Vlrgie thought of the drcary five miles
ride with drunken husband-and thel
the river! She had before refused to stay
but now she thought better of it.
| "Whqt do you think Of it Charles
Hadn't we better stay?" she asked, per
suasivcly.
But liquor had made him sullcn.
mo, We must 60 homc," hc said, surli
She knew it would avail nothing to ar
que the matter with him, but only lead t
a painful exposure, so she commenced
paying her adieux.
BY dint of gentle coaxing she induced
him to give the babe to ler before they
started.
As they rode away Uuclc Logan shout
cd out to them:
"Look out for the river!"
| Virgie's heart was too heavy for a reply
but Charles shouted back with maudlir
cheerfulness:
"All right"
AS they rode on she saw that he wa
sinking into a drunken stupor. Oh, !
they were only safe ut home, now glad sh'
would be. And then she thought Of th'
river vet to be tordcd; and every breatl
was . prayer. She determined not to Il
him have the child when they came t,
the crossing, but to trust to her own arm
and courage to carry herself and bab
through. She hoped he would not lhinI
to ask her for the child, and was nervin!
herself for refusal in case he should
when they came N sight of the water.
The moon shown down, making it a]
most As bright IS day. Virgic Thanked
heaven for that! But she shuddcrd a
the sweep of the waters fell an her ear
and she saw it foaming white in the moon
light, as it swept on in strong current.
Charles reused himself.
| "Where's the h0v ~ he asked