The Tipton advertiser., 1877-04-26
REAL LIFE.
A Temperance Tale.
By THE AUTHOR OF "HELEN's BABIES"
From the Christian Union
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER NllI
The superintendency of the Missis-
sippi Valley Woolen Mills was posi-
ton which exactly suited Fred Mac
donald, as it gave him occasion for the
expenditure OF whatever superfluous
energy he foanl himself possessed of !;
yet it did not engross his entire atten
ton. The evenings which did not
find Fred in Parson Weigewell's par
lor were few indeed, and it, when he
was with Father, he did not talk quite
as sentimcntally;a ;as he had done in
the earlier days of his engagement,
and if he talked business very fire.
quently, the change did not seem dis
tasteful to the lady herself. For the
business of which he talked was. in
the main, OF a sort which lovers have
for ages recognized as the inevitable
and to which they have subjected
themselves with unAnimity which
deserves the gratitude Of all humani-
ty. Fred talked Of y cottage which he
might enter without first knocking at
the door, aud ofa partnership which
should be united; if he learned, in
the course Of successive conversations,
that even in partnerships Of the most
| extreme order many compromises are
absolutely necessary, the lesson was
one which improved his character in
the ratio in which it abased his pride.
The cottage grew As rapidly as the
mill, and on his returns from various
trips FOR machinery there came with
Fred's freight certain packages which
| prevented their owner from appearing
so completely the absorbed business
man which he fiattered himself that
he seemed. Then the partnership was
formed one evening in Parson Wedge
wells own church, in the presence of
IA host of witnesses, Fred appearing as
self-satstied and radiant as the gamer
| in such transactions always does,
| while E-ther's noble face and droop-
ing eyes showed beyond doubt who 1t
| was that was the giver.
As the weeks succeeded each other
after the wedding, however, no ac-
quaintance of the couple could won
der whether the gamer or the giver
was the happier. Fred improved rap
idly as the school-boy improves; but
Esther's graces were of mature growth
and rejoiced in their opportunity for
development. Though she could not
have explaine how it happened, she
could not but notice that maidens re-
gardei her wondering'y, wives con-
templated her wistfully, frowns de-
parted and smiles appeared when she
approached people VIII, were usually
considered prosaic. Yet shadows
some times stole over her. face. when
-he looked at certain or her old ac-
quaintances, and the cause thereof
soon teok.a development which was
anytl ing but pleasing to her hus-
band.
Fred" said Esther one evening,
lit m axes me real unhappy sometimes
to think of the good wives there are
not as happy as ! am. think OF
Mrs. Moshier and Mrs. Crayme, and
the only reason that can see is, their
husbands drink"
II gIess you're right, Ettie," said
Fred. They didn't begin their do
nestle tyranny in advance, As you did
bless YOU for it,"
bat why doat their husbands
stop." asked Esther, too deeply inter
e.tei in her subject to notice her hus-
bands compliment. They must see
what they're i ,ins, an how cruel it
all is.
They re too far gone to stop; sup
pose that's ths re,,ol," said Frel.
at hasn't been easy work for m to
kee p my promise, Ettie, and I'm n
young man; Mpshier and Crayme are
middle-ayad mon, and liquor is simply
necessary to the m"
That drea iful old B BInley wasn't
too old to reform, it seems, said Esth-
er. "Frel, I believe one reason is
that no one HI, a.kel them to stop.
See how good Harry wainwright has
been since he found that so many peo.
pie were interested in him that day"
"Ye -es," drawled Fred, evident
ly with a suspi cion of what was COM
ing. and trying to change the subject
by suddenly burying himself in his
mem orandum book. But this ruse
did NJ. sl:ce,i, for + 'ther cross ed the
room to where Fred sat, placed her
han Is on his sio ulders, and kiss on
his forehead, and exclaimed,
Fred, you're the proper person to
| reform these two men ~
"Oh, Ettie," groaned Fred, you're
entirely mistaken. Why, they'd lau IN
right in my face, if they didn't get
angry and knock me down. Reform
ers want to be older men, better men,
men like your ia ther, for instance, If
people are to listen to them"
Father says they need to be men
who understand the nature of those
they are talking to-" replied Esther;
land you once told me that you un-
derstood Moshier and Crayme perfect
| ly."
but just think of what they are,
Elite, pleaded Fred. "Moshier is
contractor, AMI Cray mes a steamboat
captain; such men never reform,
though they always are good fellows.
Why, if were to speak to either of
them on the subject, they'd laugh in
my face, or curse me- The only way
! was able to make peace with them
for stopping drinking myself was to
say that did it to please my wife"
Did they accept that as sufficient
excuse:n asked Esther.
Eyes" said Fred reluctantly, and
biting his lip over this slip of his
tongue.
Then you'v ve set them good ex-
ample, and ! can't believe its effect
will be lost said Esther.
~ sincerely hope it won't" said
Fred, very willing to seem q reformer
| ~ heart. ssnahody wo,lld .be bladder