Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-10-08
LITTLE PEARL,

Ihlllp hhl Php WIS WV "'' ''''
the daintiesl, dearest little thing thate
you ever sci eyes on che tks hk
half blown rosebuds, hair Like rings Of
sunshine and eyes as blue as the depths
ola June sky, Darling little Pearl
how we loved her We had been
married just year aud q half when
Philip caught the western fever
| loved my husband with an inlen'
slty bordering on idolatry, but when
he told mo OF his intention, 10 leave
our beautiful cottage AID seek his for
tune Ia tho far west, II was q terrible
blow to me. We had lived at Rose
dale ever since our marriage, ana
could 500 no reason why We should
not continue to live there. Truly the
place belonged TO my uncle but Then
II would DO ours at his death, aud why
should Philip chafe aud iret 10 under q
foolish sense Of dependency We had
everything, elegant rooms, ilower''
bird., pleasure grounds aud servants
enough to keep our hands from any
thing like labor, and uncle gave 1t I'll
ungrudginglyi still my husband was
not content,
III can't live tins lite, Belle" he said,
II wasn't made tor H. My work
awaits me somewhere in the world,
and must hunt it up. My little ones
won't respect their father by-and by II
he is nothing more than dronc III the
hive of life
| was vexed aud angry NJ first, and
said a great many things that was
unwiso aud unwomanly, but Philip
pursued the even tenor OF his way,
all patience and iorbearancc. Our
preparations was soon made, the few
things we held most precious we pack
cd up and bidding adieu to our sunny
southern home we started westward,
The excitement of the journey TO-
gethcr with my husbands constant
tenderness and encouragement, recon-
ciled me, 10 measure, TO the change
in life, and when we reached our little
western cottage my impulsive nature,
always rushing from one extremity to
the other, carried me into a ecs,acy of
delight and anticipation. even beyond
anything my steadlast husband exhib-
tied. lie seemed greatly relieved to
see me growing so thoroughly con.
tented, aud we began our new life very
bravely.
The cottage was comfortable enough
but bare aud humble in comparison to
what we had hitherto been accustom-
ed the square white washed room
had a dreadfally forlorn look, and the
little kitchen, with its one staring
window, aud the cooking stove stand
ing in the middle Of the floor, filled me
with shuddering disgust every time
entered 1t. But had made up my
mind to endure all and everything,
and, as have said, we began our new
life very bravely.
For the first two or three months
had help, not very efficient help, trul!
but better than none. Philip entered
at once upon the practice of law, ant
~ his office was some distance from
home, he did not return until evening
so we had no great amount of cook
ing to do, and between us, we man.
aged to keep the cottage tidy, and t'
take care of little Pearl.
Every afternoon we went to NEE
them, taking little Pearl, through tn
grand and gorgeous prairies, end a
often as his happy eyes caught sigh
of her, he would hasten forward wit
fond embraces and approving words
sab Belle" he would say, 81 be
lieve am the happiest man IN tn
universe, and you are growing con
tented, too, dear-I can see it in you
bright eyes,
The glory of autumn faded an
chilly November rains set in, bring
ing dreary, sunless days, and chang
ing the gorgeous prairie bloom TO ind
less leagues of sodden gray. My gil
lett me, and little earl grew cross an(
fretful in her teething. In addition
to his law business, Philip had gone
into farming, aud we had two or thre
laborers to feed and lodge, whic'
greatly increased the homework
Under this accumulation of trials ID
patience began to give away. | work
ed late and early, but I grew moros
and fretfal, and never had pleasan
word tor my huband. But he neve
complained.
"Poor Belle" he would say, ''p"t
and verworked little wife, be bra,