The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1877-05-10
HOW ONEMAE SAVED HIS WIFE

lie might nave done Deltef, lar pet-
teri She's not worthy of John Forest
alr' said his friends, when he married
pretty, giddy little amy Deane.
John was universal favorite. Con-
fidence was inspired by single glance
Of his clear, blue eye. What sense Of
protection, too, one felt in his manly
breadth of shoulder! And as for his
heart-well, it was big in proportion.
Perhaps it was that very great heart
edness that had prompted him to marry
Amy. She was an orphan, not very
comfortably situated in an uncle S house,
and it was no wonder she WAS glad of
the Glance when fine man like John
Forestal put a more inviting life in her
reach.
She was INST the sc., oi woman to Oe
spoiled by such man. An humble
senea Of his own deficiencies seemed 10
blicd his generous eyes 10 hers. lie
was so pntient with her caprjc"8. II
his drsiIc to l1rahe ter happy ne w'S
capab'e Of an uns ,lf4huess she did not
fail to exact. Why did she mary him,
if not to better herset2
Tho honeymoon orer they vent 10
l!ro in an imposing house in fashion
able part OF the city, Johns quieter
taste and domestic nature would have
preferred smaller residence, with a
few cosy rooms, where he and his wife
might be all the world to each other,
bnt Amy was more ambitious. The
little butterfly must have fitting at
mosphere in which to display her pretty
wings. She had no idea OF bUrying her
charms III dull seclusion. She declared
society was a necessity-pcople grew SO
homespun and stupid shut up to them
selves-so John yielded. The elegant
house must be furnished in style be-
fitting its exterior, and Johns purse
was heavily taxed, but while his judg-
ment condemned her lavish expendi-
ture. he was forced to admit her effects
were admirable.
4 house warming and a round Of par
ties followed, in which Amy shone re-
splendent in silks and satins, till John
began to feel the necessity Of retrench-
ment. When he broached the subject
to Amy she cried so, naturally enough
it began with himself The last win
ter's overcoat, re buttoned and braided,
would answer another season. Little
economies would show less in a mans
dress.
So things went on till the windows
were darkened one morning in Amy Is
sumptuous chamber, and when John
leaned over to kiss kor pale face, little
| daughter was laid in his arms.
But Amy did not rally from this time
as might have been expected. Too gay
life had sapped constitution feeble
at best, and instead of few weeks con
fnemont, she lay for months upon hel
sofa. When she was able to get about
it was only in the false strength Of stim
ulants. She had not the patience tc
wait for strength, so she hastened the
sem blance of it with wine. Without il
she was wretched. When day after day
John say her shining eyes and flushed
cheeks, and heard the sometimes giddy
rattle of her talk, he began to fear
fatal habit was taking hold of her. The
glow of health was not in her face, only
the mocking, artificial stimulus. John
demonstrated. Amy found her usua
refuge in tears, which always made
poor, perplexed John feel like brute
Besides, backed as she was by the doc
tor, what did Johns remonstranct
amount to?
| Alas! when does the devils worl
stand still? When Amy finally emerged
from her sick room and the doctor de-
clared she might now omit the dali.
stimulant, the habit was formed.
i People began to drop Mrs. Forestal''
name from their party lists. Really j
was not safe to invite her, you know
etc., etc.
1t was as much as John Foresta
could do to keep from clutching th'
doctor by the throat, when he passet
him with smiling bow. Had he no
brought about this skeleton in his home
Lower Amy fell. She lost all inter
est in her baby. She had never shown
much, now she showed none. Do yol
think John left his neglected house ant
4