Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-12-23
4 NICE LITTLE GAME.

ittl Oh Oilt COlutT Ol INC UldIllGl, Ills
chair tipped back. His young wife
looked at him, and her pretty black eyes,
which only minute before had been
brimful OF tears emitted sparks of fire.
Her rosy mouth closed with firm ex-
preston, and her dainty foot came
down upon the rug in very decided
manner.
81 won't stand itp she said, under
her breath; II can't-'twill kill me to
see him night after night besotted, de-
graded, running both soul and body. /
must do something-I must save him,
for my baby's sakeW
Then she sat down and meditated.
They had been married little over two
years, and the babe in the wicker cradle
was a thriving boy. No happier woman
than Dolly the world held, but for one
thing. Her young husband would drink.
He loved his social glass, his wine sup
pers and club dinners. He did not neg
lect his wife, but often he came home i'll
the small hours in rather an unsteady
condition. Dolly tried everything-tears,
entreaties, persuasions-but he only
laughed her off.
"Where's the harm, Dolly?" Can't a
fellow be merry now and then with his
friendsw
But Dolly saw the fatal evil growing
upon him day by day, and knew what
the end would be. She shuddered, and
her eyes filled with tears, but the minute
after they flashed fire, and she smiled.
"Ill try it," she said to herself; "if it
does no good, it can't do much harm"
Then she said, Frank p
Her husband reused up, and, opening
his eyes with an imbecile stare, replied:
"All right, Dolly"
Frank, YOU believe thata wife should
follow in her husbands's footsteps, don't
your
"To be sure You're sensible woman,
Dolly"
"And you're a sensible man, Frank.
What's right for you to do is rghttor me,
isn't it?"
Precisely! Just so, Dolly-exactly.
You're a wise woman, you are"
Dolly smiled quietly.
every well, Frank; if you go to the
tavern any more nights, I'm going, too y
Her husband looked up, half sobered.
Nonsense, Dolly he said; chat Is
running the thing into the ground. You
will do no such thing"
you'll see that will, Frank" she
answered, resolutely. Il love you, and
what you do Shall do too! If you see
fitto ruin yourself, soul and body, and
shame iyour son, shall follow your ex-
ample. | care for nothing that you cam
not share. As YOU do, so will l."
His cheek paled and his lip quivered.
He sat silent for a minute, then got up
and said
Nonsense, little girl, Come to bed,
Dolly"
She followed him obediently, and no
more was said on the subject. For three
or four nights Frank came home pune
tually, then his old habit mastered him.
Dolly had bis supper all waiting, ana
bis slippers aud dressng-gown before
the fire, but be did not come. She
waited patiently till 10 O'Clock, then put
ting wrap about her, she called the
housemaid.
"Sit by babys crib, Mary, and, when
Mr.. Mayfairs comes, tell him | have
gone to the Reindeer Ask no questions,
and take good care of baby, and you
shall have dollar extra this month"
Every well, ma'am,' with wondering
looks.
Twelve oclock-one and then the
young husband let himself in with his
night key, and came Keeling into the
sitting room. There sat the maid beside
the sleeping child.
Frank looked about him Il little an1-
iously.
East asleep! Fine little fellow ~ he
said, bending over the crib. MARY, my
girl, where's your mistress-gone to
bed?"
"No sir; she's gone to Reindeer hotel"
He stood and stared.
NV hat do you say, girlY
"SGe vent ont at ten, sir and babe me
tell YOU when you came that she had
gone to the Reindeer"
The yonng husband stifed something
like an oath, and sat down before the
hearth. Half an hour went by, then he
started up and glanced at the clock.
Great heavens 1t is nearly two and
she's not here"
He seized his hat and r7.shed from the
house like one mad. BY the time he
was half way 10 the Reindeer, he was
goieCtiy sober.
Gould she have meant what she saidP
4e asked himself over and over again.
Presently carriage came down from
'"e lighted tavern on the hill, and, as it
PASSED HIN, a woman's voice rang out,
singing the chorus
SIC Won't 20 home til morning.
1t was his wife's voice. He caught at
the horses head, frantic with rage.
DoHy.s pretty curly head looked out as
Lle vehicle stopped