The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-04-07

He applied at this and at that place, but
month after month slipped by and he found
no opening. They moved out of the house
and took cheaper rooms in another part of the
city BY this time their funds began to run
low, and Stella wanted something new for her
wardrobe. Already she had begun to show
signs of discomfort
II shall find something by-and-by, the
husband said, bravely.
1t was at this trying time that little speck
of humanity was put into Stella's arms, and
its feeble cry told that the responsibility Of
motherhood was hers.
am the happest man alive," exclaimed
Clarence, caressing wife and child. - The
very happiest," he repeated again, kissing the
baby boy.
Let pride go to the dogs, Stella, he add
ed, remembering that now his responsibility
was greater than before. "They want work.
men on the new city hall. IN take my
hammer--it will give us bread"
She ought to have been contented, ought to
have thought with pride of the man who was
thus willing to brave the worlds opinion.
He went in early mornings and came home
late at night, as other workmen did, his land
some face glowing with love.
Sister Belle had said that her tastes were
luxurious, and she wanted pretty home now
and fine apparel for herself and baby.
The people of the world in which she bad
lived had never to count on their money to
know il they could buy new dress. She had
never been taught to make the best of what
ever circumstances you may be placed in, and
why should she now
The little privations she endured worried
and vexed her, and in q little while the sweet
tempered woman grew moody and down
hearted. She became careless in her dress,
and Instead of the cheerful little wife he used
to see, he found gloomy woman and dis
orderly house.
But he never complained.
Stella is homesick, /" he would say, and
the care of baby is too much for her. | must
make some money" and his hammer rang out
with tedoubled energy
Yet every day her discomfort grew more
apparent.
How can you expect me to live among
such surroundings, Clarence " was her APP
peal when the husband begged her to be of
good cheer.
It's cruel 10 you,' she sobbed. III want
to be back again in my old home, among my
own friends
The warm glow came to his face. and be
word, but there was look piteous to see in
his handsome eyes, while his resolve was to
work Still harder.
There came a day, later little for some
days must be dark and dreary "-when it did
seem that matters had come to crisis.
The city hall was finished long ago, the Odd
Fellows building completed and the last
stroke had been given to the new church,
Clarence must look for something new. Jennie,
who had minded Freddy for two or three
months, had to go, and all the household
cares fell upon Stella's hands.
They had moved from place to place since
Freddy's birth, hoping to find house with
which Stella would be content
"But those people are all alike" she said.
+" and may as well be in one place as anoth-
err" was her reply to Clarence, when he sug-
gested that they move into new block.
1t was unwomanly in her to say this, she
knew, the moment the words escaped her lips
and she thought to run after her husband and
beg his forgiveness, but just then Freddy
caught at her dress, causing her to spill the
water she was podring into the tea kettle,
which only increased her vexation.
" You cross little troublesome thing | . she
exclaimed, impatiently. Take that " lay
ing her hand heavily on the little bare shoul-
ders. g I'm sick to death with having you
always hang to my skirts"
With this she let fall the earthen pitcher
she held in her hand, and dropping into the
nearest chair, burst into bysterical weeping
Freddy, with the prints Of her fingers still
red on his neck, todded to her side, and tried
to climb into her lap. But she pushed him
away GROSSLY, with
" Go play with your blocks and horses I
don't want you near me /" and her band was
raised to lay on the rosy cheek.
= ION ~ any iuluB JOu IL uo pOliJ iol Wy
and-bye, Stella" Clarence said, coming into
the room just then.
Something in his face stayed her hand just
on the moment, and she rose to her feet
flushing with shame and anger.
i" 1. Thought you'd gone down town." she
replied, sharply. " Oh, dear, If I'd minded
sister Belle shouldn't have been here. She
was right. had no business to marry poor
man."
"You're not quite yourself this morning,
Stella" and his eyes were full Of unshed
tears as he caught sight of the red marks on
her baby's neck.
do you suppose I can endure every
thing I" she cried, spitefully.
You are nervous and tired, dear. Come
bere,,' and he put out his hand to clasp her.
She glided from him aud went into the adj
joining room.
Something wet fell on the baby's bead, and
he pressed him closely to his bosom as be
caught the sound of her sobbing.
81 have heard Of something new this
morning, Stella, and I'm going to New York
by the next train"
Il