The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-30

rOcklng-chalr by the 1re-s1de.
Mrs. Pason bowed her head upon her
hand, and in a few moments she was
burned in deep thought, and yet her
mind did not roam from home; she was
thinking that tonight was the time her
husband would receive his month s pay,
and ere the hard earned money was
placed in her hands, she was mentally striv-
ing to dispose of it to the best advantage.
So intent was Mrs. Pason on planning,
that for few minutes she did not notice
that little hite-draperied form stood
before her, and then pair of tiny arms
were about her neck, and Charley, while
sob after sob came forth from his full
heart, buried his head in her bosom.
20, Mamma" he cried, 81 have been a
naughty boy, but I won't be so any
more, if you will kiss me and say you
love me. I was not asleep when you
came to the side Of the bed, for could
not sleep when I was afraid you were
angry"
Mrs. Pason returned the child's en-
brace, but ere she could answer, the outer
door opened and her husband stepped
within the pa1lor.
"WhY don't you put that child to bed,
Susan9" he exclaimed, shaking the snow
from his overcoat, and looking sternly
into the face Of his wife. "You know
that have often told you, that I want
you to put the children to bed early"
"Mother forgives you, darling" whis-
pered the wife to her child, and then
added in the same low tone, ssTry and be
good boy in future, and remember
that it always grleves me to see you in
dulge in hasty temper" and then with
another kiss she led him to his bed, and
a few moments later the noble boy was
soundly sleeping, for now he had receiv-
ed his kindly goodnight kiss.
When Mrs. Pason returned to the par
lOr, her husband was standing near the
fire, and there was dark frown on his
face; he bad Invested himself of his out
er garments and thrown them upon q
char; the wife took them up pleasantly,
and carrying them into the entity, shook
off the snow, and then hung them in
their accustomed place; then returning
to where her husband was standing, she
lifted the tea-urn from the stove, and
placed that and the other dainties on the
table that stood near. ..
s'Tea is ready, Robert she said, IN a
soft tone.
''Then take your seat at the table,"
was the reply, without lifting his eyes
to her face, ''for I want no supper
tonight" ..-....
Mrs. Pason, with woman's quick in
stinct, saw that something had gone
wrong with her husband, but she re-
solved that she would not question him,
at least, not until he had refreshed him
self with food; SO passing to his side, she
gently leaned over the chair where he
had seated himself, and winding her
white arm around his neck, she whisper
ed in his ear:
''Do come and take seat beside me
at the table, shall be very lonesome
without you, and beside have pre-
pared favorite dish tor you.''
Gradually the husbands frmness 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 came
from school.
p When Mrs. Pason had shaken her
table-cloth and rolled back the side-ta-
BILE, 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. .t>
Mrs. Pason did not like to ask her hus-
band for the money, for nnv that he had
again taken his seat at tic ire, she saw
the same dark frown playing over his
features.
"What do we want for tomorrow, Su-
sans" exclaimed the husband, nervously,
a few moments later, and springing to
his feet. "Don't name too many things"
he continued, ''for have light purse
tonight. My employer didn't pay me :;
nothing but necessity makes me work for
him, fol-, every day he grows mere tyran-
nlcal, 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 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! I am tired of lt.'
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 was
no prospect of her obtaining the articles
she had promised the children for to-
morrow's wear, and then in an instant
she Thought, ITO replne, or join in my
husbands humor, will not make matters
better, and besides, will surprise him
by a scheme I nave been thinking about
for some time past, although not quite
mature yet
DRAWING her chsir toward him che