Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-03-22

brave woman, Myrtle, and Heaven
grant that | may properly appreciate
and cherish YOU
Almost year has passed away. 1t
was New Y ears Eve, and within the
Starting cottage all was love and hap
piness. A bright wood fire burned
within the open fireplace of the little
parlor, throwing its ruddY light upon
the few choice engravings which
adorned the walls, upon the rows OF
shelves which, filled with books, occu-
pied one entire side of the apartment,
and upon the rosewood cradle contain
ing a chubby baby of four months, the
pride and pet of the household. Ches-
ter sat near the blazing fire, enjoying
himself in the winter twilight, ii one
might be allowed to judge from the
settlel complacency of his counte-
nance. AS he sat thinking. his wife
noiselessly entered the room, in her
dark dress and snowy collar and cuffs
the very personation of a model house
wife and mother. She advanced to
the cradle, and, drawing the covering
more closely about the little form ii
contained, turned to her husband.
Tea is waiting Chester
'An6 / believe / am ready for it, be
replied, following her into the draw
ing.room. MY ride to and from the
city to-day has sharpened my appe-
tite finely
The supper laid out for his enjoy.
ment was certainly sufficient to have
tempted the most abstemious, and
Chester expressed his appreciation as
his fragrant tea was handed to him
Snowy bread and golden butter. pre-
serves, steaming oysters. and dellc-
iously broiled ham, all prepared by
Myrtle's own hands, for their one do
nestle had not had enough expe-
rience to be trusted alone in the culin-
airy department.
I wish you and little Chester to ac-
company me to the city tomorrow
MYRTLE said Chester, when the meal
was about half finished.
TO- morrow + exclaimed Myrtly
sWhy, have you forgotten that it il
New Years Day2 Besides, | have
an abundance of the good things OF
this life in preparation for dinner,
aud have Invited unolo's family to
dino with us.
Transfer the eatablea TO the care
of your aunt, and recall tho invita-
tione until more convenient season.
| must havo you and Chester with
me tomorrow. We will go up upon
the two O'clock train
They returned to the little parlor
and lighted the lamp. Myrtle drew
her low chair o the side of the table
and unfoIded her work, little dress
she was embroidering for her babe.
Sac was never idle now; there was
always some employment fer her
busy hand or buster brain, always
some knitting or sewing, or book
which her husband had requested
her to read. Chester noticed that
she sighed YEARLY as her trembling
fingers almost refused to thread the
needle.
We will have o holiday tonight,
my love- be said, taking the gar
ment from her lap and replacing it in
Der basket. you are tired, know;
let me rest you
He pillowed her head upon his
breast, and lifted her face to his.
'The old year is ebbing away Myr-
tie; have we spent it profitably or
unprofitably 2
'Profitably,' she replied, her ener-
gies reviving, 'and happily,too. How
has it been with you. Chester Is
the retrospect pleasant, or is this
hour a time for memory aud for
tears p
NO, Myrtle; l can honestly say
that since we have been living in this
cottage, | have known more genuine
happiness than | ever experienced in
the whole of my life.tilne before. |
need not tell you that when we re.
moved here l feared the effects of the
change upon you. | installed you
mistress of my house when wealth
seemed to flow in upon us from every
side ; but before two years had passed,
home and wealth vanished as if they
had been the creations Of a dream.
Myrtle, have you never in your secret
heart reproached me for the change !
Never, never, Chester | have
blamed myself rather than you. And
more-if to night our lost fortune
could be restored TO US, feel that the
strength and wisdom have gained in
the passing year would keep me for
ever aloof from the folIies in which |
once INDUCED so reckless|y. feel nc
regret for their loss, no desire for
their re-possession. In your restored
health and continued love, my sim
cerest prayers have been answered
and society, no matter how fascinat-
ing, could never again furnish an in
ducement for me to leave your side.
/ have learned that woman's sphere
is home, and that if there is tie
stronger than that which binds her to
it, she does not deserve the holy name
of wife
Chester drew her more closely to
him and pressed his lips to her brow.
"Thls year of comparative poverty
has been greater trial to me than to
you. Myrtle" he replied, in an unsteady
voice; not because | have had many
of its privations to bear, but because
in seeing you bearing them SO nobly,
/ have realized how utterly weak my
infrmities rendered me-"
"But that is all over now, Chester.
Our misforlunes were for our own i'm
mediate good. though when they came
upon us so suddenly, | could not see
it clearly, strong as | thought myself
to wrestlc with them. These invigo-
rating mountain breezes have been
your restoration to health, and my sep
aration from fashion and its votarlea
has been my temporal salvation. |