Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-01-28
Light Out of Darkness.


The home OF George Burgess was
neat and tasteful, and might have been
a happy one had it not been for himself.
He was one OF those dark, bilious men
Of melancholy temperament that are
never happy themselves and keep 9th
ers from being so if they can. He was
q cabinet-maker by trade, and, ten years
before our story opens, had gone into
business for himself. During the next
year he became acquainted with pretty
Nellie Peters. She was mechanics
daughter Of unusual intelligence, and
was brought up carefully by one of the
best Of mothers, and trained in all the
mysteries of housekeeping. Being of
a sprightly turn, she mingled in all the
gayeties Of her school companions,
and, being full of fun and frolic, no
one was allowed to be gloomy or sad
where she was.
It was a mystery to many how Nellie
became attached to George and married
him, he was 60 different from herself.
Yet it might be because he was her op-
posite in everything that she was drawn
toward him. He was man OF good
morals aud saving habits and it was o
pity that he was always looking on the
dark side Of everything.
After years courtship, George mar
riea Nellie and went to housekeep ping
in an humble and unpretentious man
ner. He had need Of all his money in
his business, 60 Nellie managed every
thing prudently, and thought if they
were comfortable that she did not care
for Injuries. They hired small tene,
ment, and furnished it as neatly and
cheaply as good taste and comfort
would allew.
Said cheerful Nellie
George, after you have been in
business ten years, if you do as we'll as
You have been doing the last year, we
can have q larger tenement and furnish
1t in better style. Until then I will be
satisfed with what we have, and be
happy. too, am sure"
Nellie had never seen much OF
Georges gloom before marriage, as he
had always tried to appear as we'll as be
could in his visits to her during his
years wooing. But soon after mar
risge she was forced to notice his
moods. BE often came home in state
Of gloom and dependency, apparently
caused BY business cares, that alarmed
POOR Nellie. Sometimes he would not
SpeAk to her during the whole evening.
She thought to herself, "Oh, dear! be
y sorry he married me, know he is!
Oh. what shall ! do9 I am tempted to
60 home."
Then again she would think: ut
must be his business that is worrying
him; ] will be a. patient as I can; some
time he will be different"
She tried to be the most careful
housekeeper, 30 that George would not
get discouraged, and always kept their
home bright and cheerful. He knew
and appreciated her good qualities, but
would nottell her so, or take the trouble
% change his disposition to make Ter
happy.
They had been married nearly year
when little Georgy was born. snow"
thought Nellie, "my husband will be
different. he will take 80 much com.
tort In the evenings with the baby that
ne VIII not have time to be sad. His
own dear baby, named for himself,
tool"
She Was sure that the cure for George
had come. Everything went well
enough for few weeks. One evening
George came home sooner than usual,
supper was not quite ready, and the
baby had the collie.
The poor little fellow was crying, and
Nellie was doing ali she could to pacifv
him, and at the same time get things
ready for George. But he was out of
sorts, and could not understand "why
the baby should take this time, lust
when he came home, to make such a
row. 1t must be that Nellie did not
understand taking care of him. He
wished in his soul the baby had never
been born; and If it kept on so, he
hoped be would cry himself to death. !"
This shocked Nellie, and the poor child
could hardly restrain her tears. But
After awhile the baby slept. Nellie put
supper on the table, and George ate it
without saying anything more,
When the baby woke up, instead of
taking it from Nellie, he said:
Keep the noisy thing away from
me! Ihate crying babies!"
This was another blow to the younp
mother. She could not see why GEORGE
did not like bis own child, even if he
did cry.
Thus matters went all through little
Georges infancy, and il Nellie had not
possessed one of the sweetest terpers
IN the world, she could not have borne
with cheerfulness her husbands cold
ness and ill-temper.
When Georgy was two years old,
another boy was born to them. Nellie
received the little fellow with thankful
sess. but with hany misgivings as to
how his father would appreciate the
git. George tried for while to con.
mol his unhappy temper; but the old
habit eiung to him, and Nellie was no
happier in little Harry's babyhood than
ale vas in Georges.
AL this time Gesrce " .,r lib,