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

Il wish YOU would tell James, uhen
he comes in. to turn the cows into the
lower lot. And if Turpin calls, tell him
| have concluded to take those sheep
wan, the merinos And while | am get
ting ready, please take my memorandum
book and note doNn four harness straps,
five pounds Of nails, and a gimlet, half a
Jockey strap, and-and-yes, | believe
that is all | forgot them when | made
out the items is morning"
Mrs. Streeter rose YEARLY, laid her
sleeping 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 fore cad, while tired eyes told
of care, and hinted strongly of an unsatis-
fed heart.
And tins thin-cheeked,pink eyed oman
had been called beauty only seven years
before! And when she gave her hand to
Newton Streeter she could say what few
girls can, II married my first love-
Judge Streeter, the father, was sup
bosed to be wealthy. But soon after his
sons marriage financial crisis came,
and the thousands dwindled into hun
dreds.
1t was false pride, perhaps, but the
young man shrank from the position UNI
der those who had once loo ed up TO him,
and his thoughts turned wistfully toward
the Western prairies.
He expected objections from his young
and accomplished ~ife. But she saw
with his eys, and was not only willing,
but eager to 90 and help him make a
home that should be all their own. The
purchasing of a prairie team, some farm
ing implements, and the expense of build
ing a small house. exhausted his capital,
and the young couple commenced their
married life as many others had done
who had been blessed with their advan-
tagcs The small dwelling contained but
three sleeping apartments, and this fact,
added t. their uncertain income, induced
Mrs. Streeter to take upon herself the en-
tire 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 TIE cold, folded hands.
''She will never toll as | have done;
but OH | wanted her so much, the lone
iy mother sobbed forth.
Mr.. Streeter was considered wealthy
farmer. His acres had broadened and
his stock increased. Physically and men
tally strong, and with a gentle loving
wife ever studying his tastes and wishes,
why should he wear out FAST
But of her. Naturally frail, she had
been like willow bending beneath a
burden voluntarily taken up. With the
exception of an efficient girl for "A few
wees when little Mary died, she had
performed all the labor required in the
house since she became its mistress.
Newton Streeter took the memOran-
dun, 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 bahy's maps were like
angels visits. And before the task was
we'll over his bugle note sounded to arms,
and the fretful child was taken up and
Caresscd and soothed to quietnesS.
: was conscious of a strange dizzi-
ness. When she arose from STOPPING
position her head was aching miserabIy,
and her eyes seemed burning. What as
coming over here 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 her
self, for the first time, if she had done
wisely 10 leave it for this life of toll and
care.
II was dangerous question for wife
ana mother, and she clasped her child
more closely to suppress In her heart the
dislnyal answer.
When Mr.. Streeter returned exultant
over the dollars he had deposited in the
bank, he found no supper prepared, and
his wife helpless upon the bed, with
chez flushed with fever, and the wall
ing child aistracting her with demands for
care.
A physician and nurse were soon sum
moned from the city and the weary wife
enjoyed the luxury of beng ILL.,
But convalescence soon followed; and
before leaving his patient the cid doctor,
close observer and a deep thin ,er, took
the husband aside and asked:
Did YOU know what brought this fever
ON your wife, Mr. Streeterl You have
worked her nearly to DEATH
you are speaking of my wife, not my
horse"
Granted; and say again you are
working her to death"
Really, doctor, such language is I'M
pardonabie."
"And vet YOU will pardon it. And
furthermore, by your great love for the
self-sacrtcing woman We have just left,
/ shall perform an operation ON your
eyes that you may see as | see
And then he placed the cold, hard facts
before him. from the time she became a
bride, beautiful and accomplished, to the
village, up to date of present illness, in
winch domestic cares only had haunted
her in feverish dreams. In concluding
he added:
Il trucly believe, if she takes up her
old burdens at once, that before TIE yeas
has passed the grave or an insane asylum
will receive her.
The strong man shuddered.
AS Heaven is my witness, sir, | have
only permitted. not exaeted, this sacri
fee. She voluntarily took her place by
my side, and has uncomplainingiy KEEP
tep with me-
No, she has not kept step, 10 follcv
your own figure. Unable to keep ul
with your long, rapid strides. she ha.
fallen, faint and foot sore, By the way
tell YOU she must have rest for toll
mind and body, or I vii, not answer fa
the result Aud il would be better founC
away from home"
YES; l begin to comprehend, and i
can be found away And Offering hi
hand 81 Wilt take care, doctor. thai yoi
such dose to me-
ar. Sueeter went back to the room
where his wife WAS sitting popped uIs b
pillows. and gash OF unutterahle ten
derness sAelles in his heart IS be glance
ct her pale face and almost Transporter