The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-23

49, o~ go OAN AAeCucu IuASC CuSt'
lay there. and displayed its different
merits, until he went away half com.
forted. But at night he had the night.
mare and dreamed that the furniture
took human shape and battled with
him.
The wedding cermony was performed
at the house of Martha's uncle, who
looked like an astrologer foretelling hel
doom, and the aunts and all the cousins
sighed most lugubriously over tear-wet
handkerchiefs. But, as bit of com.
fort amidst this general wretchedness,
Martha's uncle put three hundred dol.
lars into her hand at parting. ''For pin
money, my DEAR" he had said; but She
thought, ut shall be for a rainy day."
Gerald and Martha were glad to escape
into the open air, as they started to the
farm, upon their wedding tour" as
Martha humorously called it. The
winds blew bleak and the carriage
jolted over rough road, and Gerald
feared for Martha's discomfort but one
look at that dear, unrutfled face. and
his faint heart took courage. Through
storm and tide, we shall reach sunny
shore at last, love-" he whispered; and
love and hope cast their halo of glory
around them.
The day before his marriage, Gerald
had taken to the farm the furniture
which Martha had selected from the
debris, as useful to them, which consist
ed of a kitchen range, parlor stove, a
drum, two dozen chairs, three old
lounges. three arm-chairs, two rocking
chairs. a kitchen and parlor table,
three beadsteads. several wash-stands,
half-worn mats, and many bright pieces
of carpeting. Gerald put up the stoves,
and with stove polish and hard labor
die justice to them; for, from rusty,
unsightly things, they became as bright
and as fine as new; and in a man
fashion, he put things to rights as
much as possible; but how scant and
dilapidated looked the appointments!
He thought sadly that it was a forlorn
place to usher bride into. But what a
bright-faced bride entered his door with
him, not at all cast down, but BLOOMING
with health and hope! A bright fire
soon cracked in the kitchen RANGE.
and its CHEEKY warmth seemed to saw
''Welcome home" Martha, Invested
of bridal array, set about MAKING
preparations for their simple repast'
''Oh, my dearr' said Gerald. re-
pining, lit is shame for YOU to do
such kind of work.
"Why shame my husband? Indeed.
it would be a shame for me to keep
help, when l am 50 strong and we'll.
without an ache or pain. Be not cast
down, for my lot is one have chosen.
and prophesy that it will be a happy
one." What premonitions of i'll could
prevail against such a smiling faced
prophecies. strong and brave at heart
as any warrior? What wonder that
the little misty doubt-clouds were
frightened away, and that they set
themselves down to their unostenta-
tious meal like happy-hearted children,
for there was a guest called love at
their table who is often a stranger to
more sumptuOus repasts.
''Shall do, or do you miss Phillis %
inquired Martha, looking demurely
across the table at her husband.
Gerald laughed, and yet declared it
was shame.
"but Gerald! do not intend that my
Homework shall engross my whole
time. shall so plan it that may have
time for things Just as essential. Let
us not be in such a race after wealth.
that we curse with care and overwork
our present, for wealth is, more often
than otherwise, purchased at the price
of happiness, health, and conscience,
and we can i'll spare these from our life.
Let us be diligent, and vet not forget
the mental and spiritual needs, nor Vet
crowd out those cheerful recreations
and diversions that keep the heart
young and the physical being healthy"
Eyes, replied Gerald, his eyes dreamy
and far seeing; 1--WE will fashion a life
OF our own, not for any prototypes; we
will seek for competence; and with
prudence, which is another name for
Martha, at the helm, can we not reach
it, without being too tired to feel life's
beauties and benedictions?''
Martha, within her hearts of hearts.
said Amen.
Gerald and Martha arose before the
sun. They worked with energy, &C.
complishing more in the several hours
that they devoted to labor than those
who droned lazily the whole length of
the day; they worked with heart, for
there was the well-earned reward of
rest awaiting them, and which their
conscience permitted them to take.
1--WE shall not be broken down be-
fore our time, miserable, disconnected
gold heapers; but we will gather the
honey-laden flowers as we pass along,
with which to sweeten the bitterness Of
old age said Gerald to Martha.
but how much time they waste"
said one neighbor to another, as they
sat busy over their patchwork.
81 am sure that they only have what
time there is, and they have a knack of
getting more comfort OUT it than
most folks, can tell you. have
known women to buy yards Of calico,
and tear to pieces to make quilts; and
if that is not an abominable waste of
time do not know what ISL
g God has given us so much time"
said another daughter, taking up the
theme; and he who spends it the most
wisely is the best off, 1 wot."
So Martha made some converts; and
a few seeds dropped by the wayside
sometimes grow delicious fruitage,
which may be scattered worldwide.
The summer was waning when one
day Martha's aunt said to her husband.
with tone and droop of mouth most.
sorrowful, "Let us go and sec poor
and they set out, fully pre-
pared to condole with her, Uncle Ger
aid, on generous thought intent, having
filled his purse. But when they reached
the gate, there stood Martha as joyous
as any girl, not the faintest suggestion
of loneliness about her; and Gerald was
than ever, for happiness sat
well upon him. They had just babe
good-day to a famous Judge, who, with
his intelligent wife. had been spending
several days with them; SO Martha had
not been languishing in obscurity, as
her uncle and aunt had imagined; but
friends had sought them out, and COM
ing once had come again. Uncle Ger
aid and wife passed most charming
day. Martha's aunt declared the house
a perfect gem.
r. Ne ~