The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-06-05
OUR STORY TELLER.
A NICE LITTLE GAME.

Frank sat before the glowing CRATE,
his feet on one corner of the mantel,
his chair tipped back. His young wife
looked at him, and her pretty black
eyes, which only a minute before had
been brimful Of tears, emitted sparks of
fire. Her rosy mouth closed with firm
expression, and her dainty foot came
down upon the rug in a very decided
manner.
az won't stand itp she said, under
her breath; al can't-'twill kill me to
see him night after night besotted, de-
graded, running both soul and body. /
must do something-I must save him,
for my baby's sakep
Then she sat down and meditated.
They had been married little over two
years, and the babe in the wicker era
die was a thriving boy. No happier
woman than Dolly the world held, but
for one thing. Her young husband
would drink. He loved his social glass,
his wine suppers and club dinners. He
did not neglect his wife, but often he
came home in the small hours in rather
an unsteady condition. Dolly tried
every thing-tears, entreaties, persua-
sions-but he only laughed her of.
Where's the harm, Dolly? Can't a
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 filed with tears, but the min
ute after they flashed fire, and she
smiled.
"Ili try it." she said to herself; "if
it does no good, it can't do much harm"
Then she said, Frankp
Her husband reused up, and opening
his eyes with an imbecile stare, replied !:
IAN right, Dolly"
Frank, you believe that wife
should follow in her husbands foot
steps, don't your
"To be sure. You're sensible wo.
man, Dolly"
"And you are sensible man, Frank.
What's right for you to do is right for
me, isn't it?'
PRECISELY Just 50, Dolly -ex-
actly: You're a wise woman, you are. "
Dolly smiled quietly.
Very well, Frank; if you 60 to the
tavern any more nights, Pm going too p
Her husband looked up, half sobered.
Nonsense, Dollyp he said; "that
is running the thing into the ground.
You will do no such thing"
you'll see that / will, Frank she
answered, resolutely. al love you, and
what you do, / shall do, tool If you
see fit to ruin yourself, soul and body,
and shame your son, shall follow your
example. / care for nothing that you
can not share. As you do, 50 will l."
His cheek paled and his lip quivered.
He sat silent for a minute, then got up
and said:
Nonsense, little girl! Come to bed,
Dolly" ~
She followed him obediently, and no
more was said on the subject. For three
or four nights Frank came home pune.
tually, 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
putting a wrap about her, she called the
housemaid.
"Sit by baby's crib, Mary, and wher
Mr.. Mayfair comes, tel him have gons
to the Reindeer. Ask no questions, ant
take good care of baby, and you will
~
Every well, ma'am," with wondering
looks.
Twelve o'clock !-one and then tn,
young husband let himself in with hi
night-key, and came reeling into tn
sitting-room. There sat the maid besid,
the sleeping child.
Frank looked about him little anx
iously.
"Ah, fast asleepl Fine little fellow I
he said, bending over the crib. MARY
my girl, where's your mistress gon
to bedT
Hotel"
He stood and stared.
What do you say, girl~
"She went out at ten, and bade m
tell you when you came that she ha,
gone to the Reindeer"
The young husband stihed somethin
like an oath, and sat down before tn
hearth. Half an hour went by, then h
started up and glanced at the clock.
"Great heavens! It's nearly tw
now, and she's not herep
He seized his hat and rushed from th
house like one mad. By the time h
was half way to the Reindeer he wa
perfectly sober.
"Cou1d she have meant what sh
said T' he asked himself over and owe
again.
Presently a carriage came down fror
the lighted tavern on the hill, and as
passed him, woman's voice rang ou
singing the chorus:
"we won't 20 home tn morning."
II was his wife's voice. He caught
the horses heads, frantic with rag
Dolly's pretty curly head looked out
the vehicle stopped.
Frank, old fellow wl-hic-is thi
your Get in-hic-get ini WI
didn't you come upf-hic. o, we'd
Jolly ytime-hic-we did Such q dane,
Don't blame you for going oxt, Fran