River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-07-05
4 NICE LITTLE GAME.

emmlttGd sparks or nre. def rosy uoutu
closed with firm expression, and her
dainty foot came down upon the rug IN
very decided manner.
L won't stand iii" she said, under her
breath. II cant-t'will kill me TO see. him
night after night besotted, degraded. ruin
ing both soul and body. must do some
thing-I must save him for my baby's
sakel'
Then she sat down and meditated. They
mad been married little over two years,
and the babe in the wicker cradle was
thriving boy No happier woman than
Dolly The world held, but fpr one thing
Her young husband would drink. He low
ed his social glass; his wine suppers and
club dinners. He did not neglect his
wife, but often he catne home in the small
hours In rather an unsteady Condition.
DOLE tried everything tears, entreatIes,
persnasion5- he only laughed her on
where's the harm, Doily9 Can't fellow
be merry now and then with his friends!"
But Dolly saw the fatal evil growing up
on him day by day, and knew what the end
would be, She shuddered, and her eyes
filed with tears, but minute after they
flashed fire, and she smiled.
''Iil tty It. she said to herself; IF 1t
does no good it can't Go much harm. Then
she said, Frank
Her husband reused up, and, opening his
eyes with and imbecile stare, replied;
"All right, Dolly"
Frank, you believe that woman should
follow her husbands footsteps, don't you"
''To be sure. You're sensible woman
Dolly"
And you're sensible man, Frank.
What's tight for you to do is right FOR me-
isn't III"
Precisely Just SO, Dolly-exaotly'
/ You're Sis5 wor1ah, teu are
Dolly SMILED quietly.
Very we'll, Frank; if you go to the tavern
any more nights, Tn going toop
Her husband looked up half sobered.
"Notsehse, Dollyl' he said; that is run,
ming lie thitg Tito fhe ground. You VIII
do no such thing" e.
You'll see that will, Frank! she an
swered, 1esolutely. 81 love you, and what
yen do l shall do too! If you see fit to ruin
yourself. soul and body, and shame your
son, ghall follow your example care
| for nothing thet You cannot share Az you
| do, so will /.
His cheek paled and his lip gulFered,
| He sat silent for minute, then got up and
Nonsense, ht.i5 grit Come to bed
| Dolly"
| Die IOlluHeu I'LL OO6hAChtiNt -
more was said onE the subject. For three or
four nights Frank came home punctually,
then his old habit mastered him.
] Dolly had bis supper ali waiting, and his
! slippsts ard dresFng gown oefore the ire,
| but he did not CONS. Ses visited patiently
till 10 o'clock, then putting wrap about
her, she called the housemaid.
"Sit by baby's crib, Mary, and, when
Mr.. Mayfsir comes, tell him have gone to
the Reindeer. Ess re HitesiionT, and take
good care of baby, and you shat hrTs q
dollar extra this month.
| Twelve o'cloek-one and then the
/, yoitnz husband let himselfin with his night
| key, and came f5e'ifg into the sitting room.
There sat the maid beside ths sleeping
| child.
Frank lookedabout him little anxiously.
| east asleep! Fine little fellowi", he
| said, bending over the crib. Mary, my
| girl, where's your mistress-gone to bed?@
| "No sir, she's gone to the Reindeer hotel. :
| He stood and stared.
| What do you say, girl2"
| "She went out at ten, sir, and bad me
| tell you when YOU came III that she Tad
| gone to the Reindeer.
| The Young husband stit1ed something
| like an oath, and sat down before the
hearth. palf an hour went by, then he
! started up and glanced at the clock.
| Great hsa7ersl 1t is nearly two and
| she's not here"
He seized his hat and rushed from the
| house like one mad. BY the time he was
| half way to the Reindeer he was perfectly
| sober.
| Gould she have meant what she said?"
| he asked himself over and over again.
| Presently carriage came down from the
| lighted tavern on the hill, and as 1t passed
| him, woman's voice rang out, singing the
| chorus:
| It was his wife's voice. He caught at the
| horses head, frantic with rage. Dollys
| pretty curly head looked out as the vehicle
stopped,
Get -hic-get in! Why didn't you come
| up?-hic. Oh we'd Jolly time-hic-tFe
| dial Don't hlam6 you FOR going out, Frank.
| Didn't know it was so pie"sant-hic-I--I
| mean to go every night.
| "You do" he gasped, leaping into the
| seat beside her. Grasping her arm, he
| muttered, Ever asre 70 do such a thing
again, and you'll be no vito 81 mFnel"
| Dolly laughed uproarousIy
"Nonsense. Frank Let me do as you
do; that's fair Let go my arml You hurt
me! Besides, you'l break my flask OF
prime brandy Franz, taste drop
He caught it from her hand and flung 1t
| out of the window.
"BahI" said Dolly, her cheeks flushed,
her hair awry, II wish ia stayed at tne
| Reindeer-hic What makes You so cross,
| Frank?"
"Hushl Say no more, Dolly, he answer
ed. his teeth set hard 81 can't bear it.. !
| Il NAV do something I'll be sorry for.
| Keep silent I don't wantany more crooked
words,
Rams horns, if 1 die Tor it, cried
| Dolly.
Then she clapped her hands and laughed
| gleefully, breaking off into
moonlight night for ramblei
Frank let his head fall into his hands.
Great heavens he groaned; would
rather have died than have seen this night.
He got her home and into her own room
| at last, but she was very unmanageable, ana
| persisted in emitting up all manner OF capers
| dancing and singing her cheeks nushed
and her hair streaming, and asking II they
\ would not 60 another night-lt was such
| fun.
His pretty, modest little Dollyl Long
after she had fallen into sound sleep, her
| husband sat over The smouldering fire with
| his face hidden in his hands.
| Dolly, I" he said. when she awoke late on
| the following morning, what happened
| last night must never happen again.
| She looked no with her old clear eyes.
| very well Frank; that is for you to say
| Just as you do so viii l. :"
He was silent moment
Il would rather die than see what saw
| last night over again. he said.
Frank, she said, her lips qulyering,
1--WE seen the same sight once or twice
every week since married you, and God
only knows what it has cost me-.
He caught her close to his leaving
SPoor little wife," be almost sobbed,
you shall never see such q sight again.
shall sign the pledge day"
Frank" said his pretty wife, one day,
as they watched their children playing on
| the lawn, II fooled you handsomely that
night; it was all make believe. didn't go
| tr the Reindeer that night, and not drc
of the hateful stuff had passed my lips
| Didn't | fool you that night, and cure you
| IN the bargaini"
lyon little witch2" he cried, but the in
slant after his eyes filled. Yes, Dolly, "
he said and drawing her close to his side,
s'you cured me of habit that would have
,een my ruin. Heaven bless you for lli'