The Worthington advance., 1880-09-30

gently leaned over the chair where he
had seated himself, and winding her
white arm around his neck, she Whisper
ed in his ear:
s'Do: come and take seat beside me
at the table, shall be very lonesome
without you, and beside I have pre-
pared a favorite dish tor you.''
Gradually the husbands firmness gave
way, and at last if anything unpleasant
had occurred to him during the day or
evening. he seemed to forget it, and ere
they arose from the table he not only
chatted, but laughed quite heartily, when
his wife related some of the remarks that
the children had made since they cswe
from school.
When Mrs. Pason had shaken her
table.cloth and rolled back the side -ta-
bic, she glanced at the clock on the man
tie, and she saw that the iron finger
pointed to nine, and yet her husband
had not handed her part at least of his
months pay.
Her blood moved little quicker as
she thought of this, for she knew that
unless he gave her the amount soon, it
would be too late for her to purchase the
articles she had promised the children
she would, in order to make them ap-
pear better dressed the next day, when
they attended Sabbath school and
church.
Mrs. Pason did not like to ask her hus-
band for the money, for now that he had
again taken his seat at the fire, she saw
the same dark frown playing over his
features.
"What do we want for tomorrow, Su-
san9" exclaimed the husband, nervously,
few moments later, and springing to
his teet. "Don't name too many things"
he continued, ''for have a light purse
tonight. My employer didn't pay me;
nothing but necessity makes me work for
him, for every day he grows more tyran-
meal, and tonight he informed us that
he should give US less pay in future; and
poor Barton has gone home discouraged,
for he has cut his wages to such a small
pittance that he said it would hardly
keep his wife and children from starv-
ing, This toiling to make another rich,
wasting all the best years Of my man.
hood! am tired of it."
And the industrious mechanic threw
himself heavily back in his chair, and
covered his face with his callous, sun
burnt hands.
For moment Mrs. Pason's lips trem-
bled with emotion, for well she knew
that if her husband had not received the
amount due him at the shop, there vas
no prospect Of her obtaining the articles
she had promised the children for to.
murrows wear, and then in an instant
she thought, ''To replne, or join in my
husbands humor, will not make matters
better, and besides, I will surprise him
by scheme I have been thinking about
for some time past, although not quite
mature yet.''
Drawing her chair toward him, she
said:
"Never mind, Robert, if he didn't pay
you, guess We can get along quite com
fortably. I have good supply for the
II heard you say" interrupted the
husband, ''that you intended to purchase
a new bonnet this evening, and"
"Pshaw, Robert, what do you suppose
I care about a new bonnet? have q
very interesting book that must return
to the owner in few days, and I assure
you I shall be happy to stay at home
with you and read it,
At this moment there seemed to be
removed from the husbands spirits half
their depression, for he drew his form
erect in his chair, and with smile said !:
"Well, then, half the difficulty Is sur
mounted, for thought you would be
very much disappointed when you learn
ed how penniless returned to you to-
night. And then he added, with igh,
shut tho future, dear, looks very drear
to me-. Barber is tyrant, and that every
one says that ever worked for him; and
his success in busines scenes to only
increase his spirit Of oppression towards
those who are making him richer.
wish could get something else to do
aud leave his employ. should like to
show him that am not obliged to bear
his insulting language in silence, even if
the snow does lie on the ground and the
wind blows chill about US.
For few moments, Mrs. Pason sat in
silence gazing into the fire, and then lift
ing her handsome eyes to her husbands
tace, she said pleasantly: "Well, dear,
l hope there will be some way provided
that none of us will starve, if we only
have the mind to be industrious. But
how would you like to leave off such &C.
we're hard labor as you have always been
engaged in and undertake some lighter
w0rk2''
"You mock me. Susan. when you
speak 60" replied the husband; and
there was evidence in his moist eye that
ono derisive remark from her he loved,
would unman him more than all the cpl
thets his employer could heap upon
him; "for how can change, when l have
no money to commence any business, MOI
friends to assist me to credit No, no,
can make no such change, tor the wish
Of my heart is to make you and the
children happy aud comfortable, and to
do it, l must labor as in the past.''
While this conversation was going on,
the wife had drawn her work. table to
the fire. and now when the last remark
was made, her face was so close to he1
work, that its expression was not OBJ
served by the speaker, but when she
looked up, she spoke as If In continue.
ti0n Of her former remarks.
THE other day, when went to Lent.
ing with the children, to visit sister
just as entered the village, saw q
beautiful little cottage with large gar.
den attached, and but few rods from
them was a neat little shop, 10th to let
and 50 pleased was I with the location,
that after I arrived at sisters, told hel
about it, and she and I took walk down
there and inquired how much was the
rent; and, husband, if we wished, We
could hire that cottage, garden, shop and
all, for what we now pay for this tene.
ment; and, Oh, wouldn't it be nice to
leave this crowded city for such re.
treatl"
1T would, Susan, but Why tempt and
torture me with pictures that can never
be realized; for you know I have not a
farthing towards the furnishing of such
. store"