Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-01-28

hurried up stairs and made the beds
then washed the dishes, and went down
cellar and skinned the milk. There
was cream enough for churning; the
churn was scalded and then left with a
pail of cold water standing in it. so as to
be fresh and ready. By this time the
baby woke and cried, and the tired little
mother was compelled TO sit down and
take him in her sheltenng arms.
In half an hour he was ready 10 sit on
III" t'or on a quilt, and she left him long
Ough 'N carry three or four pals oi
skinned mis- to the pigs-two pailsful
al timo. and she went on the run. She
always TED he pigs; when she asked her
husband once to carry the milk TO the pen,
on his way ont 10 his work. he said, THAT
belongs to a woman's work; man
whose name is put up for commissioner
should u'tbe asked to slop pigs-that's a
little two steep"
1t was no tri6iug job to feed those
pigs; the pen had been made out OF
some old house logs, and the opening &
through which the pals had to be lifted
before they could be emplied was so high
that It came just even with her neck, and
was only wide enough to admit the pail
with the bail lying down. Twice when
she was dressed up clean she had the nn-
steady poised pail tipped back and
poured the contents upon her. from her
neck down TO her little ieet as by water
spout.
Withal the little mother was quite pa
tient and almost every day could her IN
trained voice be heard. even down 10 the
lower field and the schoolhouse. singing
"A charge TO keep | have;' or God
moves in mysterious way"
But before another year a change
came. The strong, hard man, her hus-
band, was stricken down with typhoid
fever. and for long weeks he lay balsnc-
ing between lie and death. His recov-
cry was very slow and his confinement
irksome; no prison walls could have
been gloomier than were tho home walls
that held him prisoner. Day after day
the paiter of his wiie's patient little feet
fell upon his ear, be could here them up
stairs and down, now here now there,
her voice always kind and tender. her
hand ever ready 20 administer to her
dear ones. her words full of consolation,
and love, and choer.
John Jones was not unimpressionsbl ;
slowly the scs,es fell irom his eyes, the
ligh, came and be was rs one born iuto
a higher and better life. lie drew his
tony hands acrosss his eyes; often the
sighs made him catch his breath suspi
ciously, and be marveled much that he
had walked beside his little woman fer
/ fourteen years and not Known that be
was mated with "au angel unaware y
His voice grew softer, tenderer; his
great talony hands touched her forehead
and her hair lovingly as would won
an's-tCuched her as though be was
afraid she would fade away white mist.
Weeks aiterwsrd, when he was able TO
ride out, the old whimsical buggy that
had done service in the days OF his
church going parents, was made COM
Portable by soft wooden blanket and an
armful OF sweet-smelling straw. John
didn't tell whore be was going. but he
looked wise. and his mouth had ierky
look about the corner that seemed TO say.
You Just let me alone, know what I'm
about"
Ii was evening when he came hjIle
/ he was still as wise rs when he went
away. His cup OF tea was waiting and
his tOsst and the tender little pullet led
nice aud brown. He seemed really hap
py-jOlly. He trotted the baby on his
/ foot that night. and called his wife "Jeu
n.y." rs in the days when he won her
and he let Johnny play horse with his
boot. aud there was such contented,
rich expression on his face. that his vile
couldn't help wondering wha, had made
such q change in him.
The next morning the crazy old rig
was called out again, and tho soft blank
ct spread in it, and John Jones took the
| lines in his emaciated hands and drove
off in the same direction as be did the
day before. When he retur led be was
accompanied by q broad-shouldered
good-looking German girl. whom be in-
troduced TO his wife as "our girl"
She looked with amazementupon "our
girl" and then stared at John. He soon
explained things to her satisfaction.
The upshot OF the matter is. Jane,
that I've abused you long enough; the
Lord helpIn' me, III never SEQ you make
a drudge o. yourself agin. 1t is q burn
in shame Tor any great lout like me to
expect frail little body ike you to be 8
man, and dog, and vile. and mother
and nigger. and me savin' and hoard.
ing up mo ey and means to leave to the
Lord knows who; | beg your pardon
Jane. And now you'll tell this girl
Barbara Groo'z, how you want thing:
done, and let her take your place and
work in your stead. and you'll live here