Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-02-16

Virgie thought of the dreary five
miles ride with a drunken husband
and then the river! She had refused
to stay, but now she thought better of it.
"What do you think of it, Charles
Hadn't we. better stay?' she asked,
persuasively.
But liqlior made him sullen.
"No, we must go home," he said
surlily.
She knew it would avail nothing to
argue the matter with him, but only
lead him to a painful exposure, so she
commenced paying her adieux.
By dint of gentle coaxing she induced
him to give the babe to her before they
started.
AS they rode away Uncle Logan
shouted out to them
Look out for the river p
Virgie's heart was too heavy for re-
ply; but Charles shouted back with
maudlin cheerfulness:
Cali right p
AS they rode on she saw that he was
sinking into a drunken stupor. Oh, if
they were only safe at home how glad
she would be. And then she thought
of the river yet to be forded, and every
breath was a prayer. She determined
not to let him have the child when they
were crossing, but to trust to her own
arm and courage to carry herself and the
babe through. She hoped he would
not think to ask her for the child, and
was nerving herself for refusal in case
he should, when they came in sight Of
the water. M
The moon shone down, making it al
most as bright as day. Virgie thanked
heaven for that But she shuddered
as the sweep Of the water fell on her
ear; and she saw it foaming white in
the moonlight, as it swept on in a
strong current.
Charles reused himself
where's the boy?" he asked.
"Never mind, dear He's asleep,
and don't like to disturb him I can
carry him over. I'm strong enough
for it."
:" What is the woman thinking of :?
You carry him over, indeed Give
him to me-"
" But, Charles, you are not in con-
dition to hold him. [ shall be thank
full if you can guide your horse over
safely, as you are.'' -.f
Ha What do you mean by that ?'
She made him no. answer,
"Do you take me for a fool?' he
said roughly and angrily -.
Now, Charles, don't do so You
know your arm is very unsteady, Just
now. It is, indeed !"
"Ah, l understand you now. So,
madam, l suppose you think I'm
drunk ?"
Again she was silent.
Give me the child !''he said hercely.
80, Charles For Gods sake"
Give him to me, / say Do you
think to brave me SO? Give him to
me this minute" sse
Resistance, she knew, was useless.
1t would only serve to infuriate him,
and what will not drunken man do :?
| Uncovering the little sleeping face,
she kissed It once-then drawing the
thick shawl which enveloped the little
figure, she covered the face again, and
gave him into her husbands arms.
Charles, for the love of heaven be
careful =
| "Don't be fool I"
| So they plunged in, and she did not
take her eyes from the other two until
they had nearly reached the opposite
bank Then her horse stepped on a
stone, and, slipping, nearly precipitated
her into the water When her atten-
ton was again free they had reached
the opposite bank.
There he is p said Charlie, trium-
phantly, as he placed the bundle in her
| arms. "What a simpleton you are to
think couldn't bring him over safe
ly."
How very light it was Good heav-
en- She moved it about in her arms,
pressed it closer, and then uttered an
awful shrek. IS. S..
MY child My little child My
Charlie o, my child p
Both turned simultaneously back to
the water. The quick eye of the
mother was just in time to catch one
last brief glimpse of a little, rosy, pitt
! full, upturned face-and then it disap-
peared down the current, and the rapid
water flowed on
In !. his drunken Inconsistencies
Charles had let the sleeping infant
drop out of the shawls, and nothing
could be heard above the noise of the
waters. He did not know it till the
mother screamed.
There was no help! Oh it was pitt
full heartbreaking Poor, young
mother!
X
The home of the Gales is very still
now. Virgie's pale face seems paIer
yet, from contrast with her black dress.
| The cradle looks so desolate, standing
always back in one corner of the nurs-
cry. She never passes it without hav-
| ing her heart wrung anew; and she
will sit for hours folding and unfolding
the little clothes, and her hands linger
lovingly among them. There is pair
of tiny, worn shoes in the drawer of
her workable, and lock of fair, soft
baby hair in the great bible.
Let us hope that Charles Gale is a
| better man.
A Tramp's Story.
/