River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-07-03


hands. He sat down beside her and said,
softly:
'.You don't know how glad I am that
you are better
'Thank you. Yes; / am almost well
now--shall soon be able to be in the
kitchen am / sure | must be sadly
needed there by this time
mo, you are not needed there. BY the
way, would you like to have me put the
farm to rent this summer, and you take
the boy and go back to the old granite
hiIlg"
"oh, could youl May go2" and the
voice quivered it'll excitementi then
wistfalIy, shut the expense, Newton. 1t
would put us back so much"
1Yes. there it is; the old doctor was
right, he thought. And then aloud, do
YOU now what | went to the city for
the day you were illF'
'sTo deposit some money for more land
| think you sand" she replied, YEARLY.
..Yes; but do not need that land. |
have far more land than | cIn cultivate
now And you shall have that money
at least all you want Of it-and go home
and stay all the summer, and try TO get
some OF your blood back. | shall write
to-day that you are comeing."
Mrs. Streeter could not believe it was
not one of her feverish dreams.
But ii all came about in good time,
and she arrived safely at home, where
she as petted and caressed to her hearts
content.
"You are all trying to spoil me- she
would expostulate; IL shall never be fit
for farmers wife any more"
And thus among loving friends, riding,
walking and, when at home, reading,
musie and writing long letters to her
husband, the summer wore swiftly away.
And now he h "a written that he was
coming, and she was counting the days
that must elapse ere she could look upon
his face and be clasped to his heart. She
was eager to go now. Her holiday was
over Health had returned, and not an
instant did she shrink from the old life.
And when the husband came and san
the wonder one summer had wrought, he
again told himself that the good doctor
~ rs right.
A few days were given to the old
friends, aud then they turned their faces
toward their Western home.
1t was evening when they arrived, aud
the wife looked with bewilderment ON
the change A handsome front had been
added to the old dwelling; and before she
had time to question she was ushered in
to parlOr newly furnished and already
lighted. A elegant piano stood in recess
evidently constructed for Its reception.
She turned toward her husband to as
sure herself that he, too, had not changed
into something or somebody else. But
the merry twinkle in his eye told her he
was enjoying her surprise, and slowly she
began TO realize the whole situation.
Yes, now she understood his strange re-
luctance to mention what he was doing,
and his willingness to have her remain,
even after she had expressed her anxiety
to return.
Come, have more to show you!" and
he showed her into large, commodious
room, furnished fer her own sleeping
apartment, even to her baby's or b.
This is for you. And now lay aside
your dusty garments and prepare for tea
it must have been ready an hour ago. l
will go and see."
When he returned he found his little
wife sitting in little rocker and weeping
silently.
"Have wounded where l wished to
healf'' he ed, reproachfully.
Forgive me, she said, smiling; IL am
goose, but tired winged one, you
now. And | am so happy to be at home
in such home, that l have no words in
which to tell my happiness"
He stopped to kiss the offered lips.
And what a different life it was-busy,
not burlenened Time for the wants Of
the mind as well as the body. Good help
in the kitchen all the time, and choice
reading for any leisure hour.
The farm was an unfailing source of
income, fully defraying all expenses, with
a balance IN favor,
"Been improving, l see," said DR.
Meeker, as he refined in his light carriage
to the neat fence.
Eyes, doctor. Come in; want to
show you all the Improvements. Here,
Mary, the doctor a ants to see you"
And as she came to greet him, rosy
with health and happiness, he nodded
his head at her husband.
YES, that Will do and then glancing
at the open piano, 81 am going to stay
Just long enoug to hear one tune played.
Will you favor me?" and With the old
gallantry, fitted so awkwardly to his
brusque manner, he led her to the instru-
ment, and stood, hat in hand, while she
played.