Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-03-04

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to see in his handsome eyes, while hi
resolve was to work still harder.
To conquer fortune, however, requires
sturdy strokes.
There came day, later little" fol
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 some
thing 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 a
house with which Stella would be con-
tent.
"But those people are all alike" she
said, "and I may as we'll be in one place
as another" was her reply to Clarence,
when he suggested that they move into a
new block.
It 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
pouring into the tea kettle, which only
increased her vexation.
"You cross little troublesome thing! I"
she exclaimed impatiently. "Take
that !" laying her hand heavily on the
little bare shoulders. I'm sick to
death with having you always hanging
to my skirts"
With this she let fall the earthen
pitcher she held in her hand, and drop
ping into the nearest chair, burst into
hysterical weeping.
Freddy, with the prints Of her fingers
still red on his neck, toddled to her side,
and tried to climb into her lap. But she
pushed him away Grossly, with
SEQ play with your blocks and horses;
[ don't want you near me-" and her hand
was raised to lay on the rosy cheek.
"Dont do anything you'll be sorry for
by and by, Stella" Clarence said, COM
ing 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.
81 thought you'd gone down town, {"
she replied, sharply. "Oh, dear, if I'd
minded Sister Belle I shouldn't have
been here. She was right. I had no
business to marry poor man."
"You're not quite yourself this morn
ing, Stella" and his eyes were full of
rnshed tears as he caught sight of the
red marks on her baby's neck.
"Do You suppose l can endure every
thing?" she cried spitefully.
"You are nervous and tired, dear.
Come here" and he put out his hand to
clasp her.
She gided from him and went into the
adjoining room.
Something wet fell on the baby's
head, and he pressed him closely to his
bosom as he caught the sound of her
sobbing.
IT have heard of something new this
morning, Stella, and I'm going to New
York by the next train.''
He tried to say it cheerfully.
YOU'RE always hearing Of something
new,'' was her quick reply; "but what
does it amount top
$50 am hoping for something better,
and think I have found it now"
He rocked Freddie to sleep, put him
into lis crib, then went to the door of
his wife's room.
care you going to kiss me good-by,
Stella!" he asked, opening the door very
softly. II may be gone day or two. !"
"No," she replied coldly, ''you'n be
back soon enough
6 I will come as soon as I can; but I
might never return, you know"
''See if you are not back as soon
as you can come, with the same old story. :"
Clarence turned quickly, but she saw
the look on his face and never forgot it.
She heard him cross the room, and
knew he bent over Freddy's crib and
kissed the little sleeper again and again
"HeH come back to me before he
really goes" she whispered to herself,
starting up and going toward the door;
but turn in the street hid him from
sight when she reached the window. He
had gone, and for the first time without
kissing her goodbye.
:: "Wel, we've been married long
enough to be done with such nonsense"
she said at last, by way of consolation;
yet there was terrible ache at her heart,
and she secretly wished she could throw
herself into her husbands arms and tell
him how sorry she was for it all. -"
:. She sat quite stilluntil Freddy awoke;
then with cry of terror she ran across
the hall to tie nearest neighbor, with
"Please come, Mrs. Wilson; my baby's
dying"
Mrs. Wilson came, for though rough
of manner, she was kind of heart
"He's in fit," she said, the moment
her eyes rested on the little sufferer.
Bring me some water, quickY she
called, "and help to get off his clothes. -
Stella obeyed.
Hold him SO" was her command,
putting him into the bath. 81 will run
home and get some medicine. Such
women as you amt fit for mothers" she
continued, returning with her hands full
of bottles. .'-.'''>>.
"Oh, Freddy" cried Stella, dropping
on her knees, if you'll only get well,
will try SO hard to bear rything.
'NAnd what trials have you to bear o.
asked Mrs. Wilson. "You have pretty
home" looking about thereon, if it was
put in order.''
" It isn't like the. house I'm used to. .
|. Young people don't expect to begin
where the old ones left of. They must
make their own homes. s. *%|A@
IT never understood it SO. Sister
Bell is the only mother ever knew, and
her advice was never to marry a poor
man."
"so,you keep finding fault and com.
planning when your husband is trying in
every possible way TO make nhonest
living. It is wonder that you haven't
driven him to drink long ago."
But my husband is a good man" re-
piled Stella, warmly, resenting the last
part of the speech. -
"He has shown himself to be good
man, <s s@y|%&s.. 70 20 -.
The woman said it in good faith, wrap.
ping Freddy in soft fannels, and admin.
istering q quieting potion. She had been
watching the movements of this couple
ever since they came to live in the house.
"My baby will get well, won't he p
was said pleadingly, and the poor thing
sobbed again as if her heart would break.
Yes, indeed" .. s<.
and you stay with me through the