Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-06-26
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 shccp-I
want the mcrinos. And while | am
getting ready, please take my memo
randum book and note down four har-
ness straps, five pounds Of nails, and
gimlet, half Jockey strap, and-and-
yes, / believe that is all. | forgot them
when | made out the items this morn
ing
Mrs. Streeter rose wearily. laid her
s.eeping 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-cheekcd. pink eyed
woman had been called beauty only
seven years before And when she
gave her hand to Newton StIecter she
could say what few girls can. "kmar-
ried my first love"
Judge Strecter, 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
IL was false pride, perhaps. but the
young man shrank from 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 a home that should be all their
own. The purchasing OF prairie team,
some farming implements, and the ex-
pcnse of building n 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
10 their uncertain income, induced Mrs.
StTeeter 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, n
fairy child Of three summers, had slid
away from them, and was now slecping
beneath the flowers Of the prairies: and
The tired wife had sighed as she looked
On the cold. folded hands.
".jhe will never toll as I have done:
but oh, wanted her so much" the
lonely mother sobbed forth.
nr. Streeter was considered n wealthy
Ezrmer. His acres lad broadened and
kis stock increased. Physically and
mentally strong, and with n gentle loving
wife ever studying his tastes and wishes,
why should he wear out flst2
But Of her. Naturally frail, she had
been like willow bending beneath
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 Mt the neatly-writ-
arn items. and then he stepped into the
ight buggy and drove away.
But no longer might she finger. for the
sponge was waiting In the kitchen to be
kncaded. and the baby's maps were like
zngel's visits. And before the task was
well over his bugle note sounded to
arms, and the fretful child was taken up
md caressed and soothed to quietness.
She was conscious Of strange dizzi-
ness. when she arose from n stoopinu
POSITION her head was aching miserably,
and her eVes seemed burning. What
wns coming over her? She must be III.
On. no; she had no time for that. And
then her thoughts dTiftcd away to the
aear old home of childhood, and she
asked herself, for the first time, If she
z4d done Wisely to leave IL for this life OF
md care9
II was dangerous question for wife
and mother. and she cIaspcd her child
Hore closely to suppress in her heart the
disloyal answer.
when Mr.. Strceter returned exultant
sscr the dollars he had deposited In the
hank, he found no supper prepared, and !
- wife helpless upon the bed. with |
xhceRs aushed with fever, and the wall |
- child 1istracting her with demands
g czp