The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-09-09
the sluggard, and it seems impossible
for him to work at all for any length OF

the sluggard, and it seems impossible
for him to work at all for any length OF
time.
cit was nv own folly that placed
me where am, and there is no one to
blame besides myself. unless it be his
sister. She knew us both, and should
have spoken word of warning in time.
1t is very seldom she comes here, sheis
ashamed, perhaps, to do so. But once
she said to ME, We all thought that
when Egbert was married and had a
family to support he would be more am
bilious, fix up things and make man
of himself
Il prayed, before baby came, that l
might die, perhaps it was wicked, was
it? But God would not hear, and now l
must live for my child; he is my COM
fort, my all.
II feel like crying out and warning
every young girl to look well to her
ways. Marriage is at best lottery, a
contract in which their lifelong happi-
ness is concerned; and yours, Flo, is the
only true way; knowing each other so
long before marriage. you are now,
neither of you disappointed, but are
able to be true to your marriage vows,
and a help to each other. With you
there will be no blissful dream sudden
" ended; no terrible awakening to find
yourself welded to one you knew not.
"For how many enter thOughtlessly
into matrimony, as did L! The novelty
and romance Of the affair blinded me.
1 knew but little of my lover. did not
care to know more, but filled out all
vacancies with my own imagination,
painting a gay picture, with no clouds
or dark back ground. 1T pleased me,
the new life, the distant lover, and the
envy of my friends co, how my con-
science smote me just then. when l
thought of my own discomfort and the
letter written to you so long ago., but
dearly have 1 paid for my folly"
Poor child! could offer her but little
comfort, yet the having one friend to
whom she could contide all her troubles.
seemed to quiet and soothe her, so that
it was more the Beth of old who &C.
cOmpanied me back to the house.
AS we retraced our steps thought
'sthe woods, the brook, the grassy mead
ows and old homestead are all here,
just as we had pictured them so long
ago. But instead of being beautiful,
they seem to me now almost hateful
like prison, and its walls fastening my
Beth ill.,"
Joe was waiting at the house for me-
and with so many funny adventures tc
relate, that the dinner passed Off quite
merrily, and Beth's sweet laugh wa:
heard more than once. Her husband
had not vet returned, but he was mo-
much missed, and to me his absence
was a relief, as doubted much my be-
inc able to treat him respectfully.
After dinner came q few old songs
and then the '.good-byes'' were said.
can see Beth yet, as she stood there
all alone in the waning light. on thu
steps of the old house, baby laughing il
!. her arms, but she, with face white a
death and eyes that haunt me yet {
. saw some like them in a picture once
, which represented a mother in vail
; irving to keep the birds from the bodie
of her dead sons), she stood there
watching us until bend of the roa'
| hid us from view. l have heard from
her since-her life is the same, but sh
! is going home on a visit this winter
, and has promised to visit me.
"Am contented?" Does the ques
ton need answering?
, But here comes Joe, and supper no
!, ready. I had no idea it was so late!
must close hastily and fly to the kitchen
Flo.
, -W0nan'S Journal.