The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-28


xpanded into dinner or tea for half dozen
or more. Then they concluded to spend five
dollars for some coveted luxury and five
more for pleasure trip, and the weekly i'm
stallment of their debt was not met
Frank declared he getting shabby,
and IN his new 0yercoet pocket were
a package of cigars and a pipe. He
hated to go home empty handed
10 Hattie, and the pretty new dress
was enthusiastically admired, though both
dress and coat were bought on credit 1t was
only step, but it was long step backwards,
their resolutions for economical living
broken; il was hard to stop in their foolish
path.
With the hard times Franks salary was
reduced to $l5, and this too when debts for
$500 were hanging over him. This provoked
and enraged him, and the first angry words
were heard in the pretty little home. He
blamed his wife for much of this; she had
never restrained him, or tried to prevent
him from spending his money so lavishly.
She retaliated, using the tobacco for pro-
life subject of faultfnding, and thus the
quarrel increased.
She grew indifferent, the care and atten-
ton hitherto given to her home ceased, and
look of dreary neglect settled over the
place. She paid no attention to her per-
sonal appearance, never changing her dowdy
loose wrapper and soiled slippers,
unless to leave the house or to meet COM
pany She had only complaints for her
husbands ear; only sharp words and re-
proaches for greetings.
Slowly be saw and appreciated the change,
and for the first time drunken husband
roughly accosted her as she waited until
midnight alone He was ashamed the next
day. and with pale face and trembling
voice tried to beg forgiveness, but she re-
pulsed him coldly and the offense was re-
peated.
After a while the home was abandoned, n
cheaper, shabbier cottage was rented, and
with what remained after paying the most
urgent debts, they started again. Another
failure, and they were still reduced lower,
until at last nothing but the rudest neces-
saries OF life were left, and mutual friends
proposed separation. There was hardly
any reason for them to iremain together;
they were not making living; they were
getting constantly poorer and they were
alienated, and il they separated each would
receive care mong relatives or friends.
One night pondering this subject, the seal
ing of her earthly hopes with despair, Hattie
sadly thought of the past. Her wedding
ring slipped t. and fro on her finger and
reminded her OF the first joyous year Of her
married life and how tender Frank had
been. He was sleeping on the miserable
ed, weak from the effects OF debauch, and
yet softened as her heart was, she felt love
and pity for him still. She knelt by his
side and prayed God for strength 10 try
again, pleading for pardon for her part in
the downfall OF her domestic happiness.
Her first duty was clear. She swept and
cleaned the room, arranging the poor furni'
ture TO the best advantage, and hiding the
ravages of poverty. With the material she
could command she prepared a nice, warm
supper, and calling her husband lovingly,
gently, she tried TO make It pleasant for
him. She noted with eager gladness his
first look Of surprise, and the kinder tone of
his voice. After tea she asked him 10
help her by doing two or three err
rands, and the alacrity and happiness
of his actions touched her heart. She chat
ted with him and read to him until bed
time, and for the first night in months he
| fell asleep sober man. The next morning
they advised together as TO the best plan
Hattie encouraged him to seek work, and
offering to go with him to the very friends
who had urged their separation. They were
successful, and are now prospering.
But what scars remain after such defea
only God knows. What wrecked hopes ard
ruined days are theirs none can ever tell
The battle was terrible and their souls ant
lives must always suffer somewhat from th'
conflict. Had they been prudent at first
ere they incurred debt; had they laid uI
enough to start with before they attempted
such life. how different might have beer
their experience. But leaving even thi
and coming a step farther-had the wifi
never faltered, but whatever went wronI
outside, kept the home always beautiful an'
bright. would the husband have fallen7
woman can do so much to influence
man, NO much to keep him pure and ~
right She can strengthen him In his mora
weakness and encourage him in his strue
giles, and the fond, loving husband appr'
ciating this will seek TO make his wife an
his home dearer than all else.
A Public Benefactor.
fRurlinoton Hawkeyel