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

before which the speaker sat, hor cold
gray eyes, softening little as she replied
eff you tell me which Of the two you
have chosen, can answer you
"You ought to know without being
told,' Stella laughed. "Clarence, OF
course"
Belle Lawson looked serious
"Stella," she said, "I'm sorry. Not
that I bear Clarence Henshaw any i'll
will, but, CHILD, you are not suited to be
q 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; I won't marry Henry
Lakeman if he was q hundred times
richer than he is
She slipped a picture into his en-
v!elope, with long glance at the view it
SITS lovely place." she sighed, "and
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. If you
covet this pretty home Of Henry Lake
mans, accept it.
"But love Clarence Henshaw.
with Henry"
Miss Lawson turned to the window
with q sorry look. Some sweet dream of
her own childhood was in her memory,
perhaps, but she held it worse than folly
to indulge in regrets. Love, in her es-
tlmatlon, was no balance in the scale Of
wealth.
"Stella," she continued, very gravely,
81 have acted the part Of mother for
many years; my wish has ever been that
you form a wealthy marriage. You love
luxury, you enjoy display, and I am not
saying too much when I add that you
worship beautiful apparel. Henry Lake
man can give you all Of these. Clarence
Henshaw cannot. AS his wife you will
be subject to all manner of priyations;
be content to live in common way, stint
and economic and manage the best you
can. How long will that suit girl of
your tastes? Think well of it. I shall
let you have your own choice in regard
to MARRIAGE
''My mind is made up,'' Stella re-
sponded readily.
She took up the view, slipping letter
into its envelope while she spoke.
eff favored his suit; 1 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 I know" she murmured,
turning the envelope to look at the super
scription.
Your happiness is within your own
grasp, Stella. You'll recall nv words
some day." And with stately gait,
Belle Lawson left her.
Stella ran lightly up stairs to her own
room aud touched the bell in great haste.
''You will oblige me by mailing this
at oncc,' she said to the servant who an
swered her call, handing him this very
envelope, "and,' she said, smiling and
blushing, be careful of this" putting
another letter into his hand. sLeavc 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 perfumed note lay on Clar-
ence Henshaw's pillow, and he, foolish
fellow, WIS transported to the upper
heaven of delight over its 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 undertake
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 the promise Of some
thing little better yet the coming sea-
son. So the first few months OF their
married Life ran smoothly. They rented
house in 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 wear
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 a
situation. ,5s* ~
He applied at this and at that place,
but month after month slipped by and
he found no opening. They moved out
of the house and took cheaper rooms in
another part Of the city. By this time
their funds began to run low, and Stella
wanted something new for her wardrobe.
Already she had begun to show signs Of
discomfort.
II shall find something by and by, !
the husband said bravely
It was at this trying time that little
speck OF humanity was put into Stella'e
arms, and its feeble cry told that the re-
sponsibility of motherhood was hers.
81 am the happiest man alive" ex-
claimed Clarence, 4carressng wife and
child. "The very happiest," he repeat.
ed again, kissing the baby boy.
s'Let pride go to the dogs, Stella, he
added, remembering that, now bis re-
sponsibility was greater than before,
"Ihey want workmen on the new city
hall. III take my han1mer-it will give
US bread"
She ought to have been oontented,
ought to have thought with pride of the
man who would thus brave the worlds
opinion.
He vent in early morning, ,and came
home late at night, as other workmen
did, his handsome face glowing with love.
But the very thoughtthat her husband
was brought down to the level of COM
mon laborer, hurt her. gxEss#
Sister Bella had said that her tastes
were luxurious, and she wanted 9 pretty
home now, and fne apparel for herrGh
and baby ,Tq4 aases - Sisff Sss5s ssss
The people Of the world ii which she,
had lived had never to- count on their
money t9 know il they could buy. q new
dress. She had never been Taught to
make the bsst ofswhatever cni1cumsfancea
You may be placed in, and Why sahoul
she now? "a ACKNOWLEDGMENT 8.
The little priivations she endured w a,.,..
ried and vexed her. and in little while