Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-03-03
A POOR MANS WIFE.

My choice is made, sister Belle
Give me your approval.
The elder sister looked at couple o
open letters lying on the writing desl
before which the speaker sat, hor cold
gray eyes, softening a little as she replied
eff you tell me which of the two yor
have chosen, [ can answer you.
"You ought to know without being
told" Stella laughed. FClarence, O.
course"
Belle Lawson looked serious.
''Stella." she said, elm sorry. Not
that | bear Clarence Henshaw any il
will, but, child, you are not suited to be
poor mans wife Remember You are
proud, and have been reared in ease and
comfort. Follow my advice, and marry
Henry Lakeman."
Stella shook her head.
"No, Belle; / won't marry Henry
Lakeman # he was hundred times
richer than he is
She slipped o picture into his en-
velope, with q long glance at the view ii
imaged.
cts a lovely place" she sighed, " and
L would like to live there"
The sister was watching, and stopping
kissed the smooth, white brow, while she
said:
"Don't be too hasty, Stella. IL you
covet this pretty home of Henry Lake
mau's. accept it.
''But | love Clarence Henshaw. |
prefer q cottage with him to mansion
with Henry"
Miss Lawson turned to the window
l. I 4
her own childhood was in her memory,
perhaps, but she held it worse than folly
to indulge IN regrets. Love, in her es-
timatiOn, Was no balance in the scale of
wealth.
"Stella," she continued, very gravely,
g have acted the part of a mother for
many years; my wish has ever been that
you form a wealthy marriage. You love
luxury, you enjoy display, and / am not
saying too much when / add that you
worship beautiful apparel. Henry Lake
man can give you all of these. Clarence
Henshaw cannot AS his wife You will
he subject to all manner of privations;
be content to live in common way, stint
and economic and manage the best you
can How long will that suit a girl of
your tastes? Think we'll of it. [ shall
let you have your own choice in regard
to marriage" .f
"My mind is made up" Stella re-
sponded readily.
She took up the view, slipping letter
into its envelope while she spoke.
elf favored his suit; I was to keep
it, sister Bell" she continued, touching
the edge of the wrapper to her rosy lips,
and sealing it with heavy slap of the
hand. 81 do not, you will observe. I'll
never be sorry know" she murmured,
turning the envelope to look at the super
scription.
''Your happiness is within your own
grasp, Stella. You'll recall my words
some day" And with stately gait,
Belle Lawson left her.
Stella ran lightly up stairs to her own
room and touched the bell IN great haste.
"You will oblige me by mailing this
at once" she said to the servant who an
swered her call, handing him this very
envelope, land, she said, smiling and
blushing, "be careful of this" putting
another letter into his hand. Leave it
with no one but the person to whom it is
addressed, Mind!' she called, as he
turned to obey.
There'u be no mistake, Miss" and
that night perfuned note lay on Clar-
ence Henshaw's pillow, and he, foolish
fellow, was transported to the upper
heaven of delight over it's contents.
Three months later they were married
They were happy and hopeful couple
The lite upon which they had entered
was like new and unexplored country.
but Clarence meant to work hard, and
felt little or no doubt In regard to their
future. He was equal to any undertak-
ing in his own determination that would
promote his wife's happiness, and as to
Stella, she would do anything TO help
her husband
He had been head bookkeeper for
many years, and had tt . promise of some
thing little better y 1t the coming sea-
son- SO the first few months of their
married life ran smoothly. They rented
house In q pleasant part of the city,
kept servant, and Stella wore the pref
ty clothes which had been provided at
the time of her marriage, and wondered
why sister Belle had such funny notions
about marrying poor man.
But toward the close of the first year
of their welded life, his firm was said
to be under heavy liabilities, and the an
niversary of their marriage found the
house bankrupt and Clarence out of O
situation.
He applied at this and at that place,
but month after month slipped by and
he found no opening. They moved out