Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-06-06
A HUSBANDS DOSE.

81 wish you would tell James, when
he comes in, to turn the COWS into the
lower lot. And if Turpin calls, tell him
[ have concluded to take those sheep-I
want the merinos. And while | am
getting ready, please take my memo
randum book and note down four har-
ness straps, five pounds of nails, and a
gimlet, half a Jockey strap, and-and-
yes, | believe that is ALL I forgot them
when | made out the items this morn
ing"
Mrs. Sreeter rose wearily, laid her
s4eeping babe carefully in its crib and
proceeded to record the articles named.
| She was young, not over twenty-five,
but the complexion was sadly faded,
and faint lines were already marking the
white forehead, while the tired eyes
told of care, and limited strongly of an
unsatisfied heart.
And this thin-cheeked, pink eyed
woman had been called beauty only
seven years before! And when she
gave her hand to Newton StTeeter she
could say what few girls can, L mar
ried my first love-"
Judge Streeter, the father, was sup
posed to be wealthy. But soon after his
sons marriage a financial crisis came,
and the thousands dwindled into hun
dreds.
1t was false pride, perhaps, but the
young man shrank from a position under
those who had once looked up to him,
and his thoughts turned wistfully to-
ward the Western prairies.
He expected objections from = his
young and accomplished wife. But she
saw with his eyes, and was not only
willing, but eager to go and help him
make home that should be all their
own. The purchasing of prairie team,
some farming implements, and the ex-
pense of building small house, ex-
hausted his capital; and the young
couple commenced their married life as
many others had done who had been
blessed with their advantages. The
small dwelling contained but three
sleeping apartments, and this fact, added
to their uncertain income, induced Mrs.
Streeter to take upon herself the entire
care of the household.
Two children had come in the seven
years to nestle in her bosom. But one, a
fairy child of three summers, had slid
away from them, and was now sleeping
beneath the flowers of the prairies and
the tired wife had sighed as she looked
on the cold, folded hands.
"She will never toll as I have done
but oh, wanted her so much," the
lonely mother sobbed forth.
Mr. Streeter was considered wealthy
farmer. His acres had broadened and
his stock increased. Physically and
mentally strong, and with gentle loving
wife ever studying his tastes and wishes,
why should he wear out fastP
But of her. Naturally frail, she had
been like a willow bending beneath a
burden voluntarily taken up. With the
exception of an efficient girl for few
weeks when little Mary died, she had
performed all the labor required in the
house since she became its mistress.
Newton Streeter took the memoran-
dunn, glanced hastily at the neatly-writ-
ten items, and then he stepped into the
light buggy and drove away
But no longer might she linger, for the
sponge was waiting in the kitchen to be
kneaded, and the baby's maps were like
angels visits. And before the task was
well over his bugle note sounded tC
arms, and the fretful child was taken uE
and caressed and soothed to quietness.
She was conscious of strange dizzi.
ness. When she arose from STOPPING
pOSlUlOU 0eT Ile.tu WIS dCuluS llllScIdDly
and her eyes seemed burning. What
was coming over herp She must be ill
Oh, no; she had no time for that. And
then her thoughts drifted away to the
dear old home of childhood, and she
asked herself, for the first time, if she
had done Wisely to leave it for this life o.
land careP
It was a dangerous question for q wife
and mother, and she clasped her child
more closely to suppress in her heart the
disloyal answer.
When Mr.. Streeter returned exultant
over the dollars he had deposited in the
bank, he found no supper prepared, and
ais wife helpless upon the bed, with
cheeks flushed with fever, and the wall.
ing child 1istracting her with demand.
for care.
A physician and nurse were soon sum.
moned from the city, and the weary
wife enjoyed the luxury of being i'll.