The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-11-05
A WIFE'S STRATAGEM.
HTRANKr" /"
II ~ AIi .l..l.t hA1lx, t1i

"All right, Dolly !"
He sat before the glowing CRATE, his
feet on one corner of the mantel, his
chair tipped back. His young wifelook-
ed at him, and her pretty black eyes,
which only minute before had been
brimful with tears, emitted sparks of
fire. Her rosy mouth closed with firm
impression and her dainty foot came
down upon the rug in very decided
manner.
81 won't stand it," she said, under
her breath; " l can't-'twill kill mel
To see him thus, night after night, be-
sotted, degraded, running both soul and
body. must do something must
save him for my baby's sakel"
Then she sat and meditated They
had been married a little over two years,
and the babe in the wicker cradle was
thriving boy. No happier woman
than Dolly, the wide world held but for
one thing. Her young husband would
drink.
lie loved his social glass, his wine
suppers, his club dinners. He did not
neglect his wife, but often he came home
in the small hours, in rather an unsteady
condition.
Dolly tried everything-tears, entrea-
ties, persuasions-but he only laughed
her off.
Where's the harm, DollyY Can't
fellow be merry now and then with
his friends ?'
But Dolly saw the fatal evil growing
upon him day by day, and knew what
the end would be. She shuddered, and
her eyes filled with tears, but the minute
after they flashed fire. and she smiled.
"I'll try" she said to herself "if
it does no good, il can't do much harm"
Then she said:
" Frank !"
Her husband reused up, and opened
his eyes with an imbecile stare.
"All right, Dolly"
Frank, you believe that a wife
should follow in her husbands steps,
don't you ?'
&C To be sure. You're sensible wo-
man, Dolly"
"And you're a sensible man, Frank.
What's right for you to do is right for
me, isn't it ?"
Precisely, Dolly, just so, exactly.
You're wise woman, you are"
Dolly smiled quietly.
every well, Frank, if you go to the
tavern any more of nights Pm going
toor'
Her husband looked up, half sobered.
Nonsense, Dolly" he said, that's
running the thing into the ground.
You'll do no such thing"
You'll see that will, Frank" she
answered, .resolutely; 81 love you, and
what you do shall do too ! If you see
fit to ruin yourself, soul and body, and
shame your son, shall follow your ex-
ample. care for nothing that you can
not share. AS you do, SO will l."
His cheek paled and his lip quivered.
Her words touched him to the quick.
He sat silent for minute, then he got
up and said;
Nonsense, Dolly. Come, to bed
little girl'
She followed him obediently, and
nothing more was said on the subject.
For three or four nights Frank came
home punctually, then his old habit
| mastered him.
Dolly had his supper all waiting, and
his slippers and dressing gown before
the fire, but he did not come. She
waited patiently till ten o'clock, then
| she called the house-maid, and put on
| her wraps.
"Sit by baby's crib, Mary, and when
Mr.. Mayfair comes tell him L have
gone to the Reindeer. Ask no questions,
and take good care of baby, and you
shall have dollar extra this MONTH"
every well, ma'am," with wondering
eyes.
Twelve o'clock, one and then the
young husband let himself in with his
latch key, and came reeling into the
sitting room. There sat the maid be-
side the sleeping child
Frank looked about him little
anxiously.
C All, fast asleep, fine little fellow
he said, bending over the crib. Mary
my girl, "where's your mistress ? Gone
to bed ?''
"No, sir, she's gone to the Reindeer
hotel"
He stood and stared.
| What do vou saU ofrl ~