Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-09-29

A LESSON FROM A WOLF CHASE,
Rube Wexford ought to have been q
happy fellow. He was certainly consid-
cred one OH the day when Kate Wilde be-
came his bride. He was the envy of every
Young man in the rude western hamlet
where the ceremony took place, and many
were the good wishes shOwered Oh the
heads of the ncwly-wedded pair for their
future happiness anu prosperity. Still
there were those who not only insinuated
but boastcd that the helpmate of her
choice was unworthy the woman he had
won. Kate's father and mother were par
ticularly opposed TO the match, and did all
in their power to prevent it, but the girl,
besides her unwayering love, possessed
determined will, which, when once arous-
ed, carried much before it. Rube WeX-
ford was never accounted strictly tenn
peratc man. Indeed, there had been
times before marriage when he was for
DAYS under the Influence OF liquor, and
Kate had seen him in this State, and there
fore knew fully the extent of his weak
ness. But the woman loved the man, ana
within herself resolved that, his reclama-
ton should be her duty. That success
must crown her efforts she little doubted.
Autumn days had drifted away, the
crops had been gathered in, and all the
indications pointed to All early and severe
winter. Rube's sprccs continued. No
wind was too cool, no snow too deep to
keep him from Washburn's, Il not distant
tavern. One evening, in the latter part
Of December, he took down his lcggiugs
and gun from the peg where they hung,
and was preparing to go out. Kate went
to him and said:
"Rubc, you must not leave me tonight.
Give in to me this TIME and stay at home"
81 am only going for jauut," nc re-
piled, "I'll be back soon"
"No, you are going to Washburn's. To-
night you will, you must gratify me. L
am afraid to remain here alone"
"Afraid?" he answered.. Such thing
as fear was almost unknown to Kate
Wilde.
She clasped her arms around his neck,
whispered in his car, her checks flushing
brightly, then sat down in the rocker and
cried rs if her heart would break. Rube
stood the gun in the corner, threw aside
the leggings and cried too. .' f.
The next morning when the winter sun
Qeamed upon the cabin, the little log cabin
held three souls instead Of two. A wee
stranger had come In the night, a bright
eyed baby girl. Her weak cry seemed to
move all the better part of the husbands
nature, and his wifelooked Oh with new
born confidence I'm her face. After a week,
when Katc was able to sit up, Rube went
to relate the happy event to the grand
parents. Ii was the first time he had Wis
tied them for somc months. Very early
in the morning lie started, and when The
afternoon shadows began to lcngthen,
Kate locked eagerly for his return. 1t
was toward day-break when lie appeared,
his hands and feet almost frozen and his
senses supplied by liquor. The wife's
new hopo was destined to be short-liYed.
Freshly made promises marked the NOR
row, but days went by only to see them
Now there was new tor
turc. Rubo had forsakcu Washburn' ) and
made his visits to Pineville instead, where
kate's father and mother lived. 1t vas
almost more than the Woman's nature
could bear TO know that here parents were
the frequent witnesses Of her hus bands
disgrace. This was sort OF thing which
she could not aud would not long brook.
Little Kate, the baby, was 4 month old
to Il day when Rube made preparations
enc morning for i trip to PineVilIo. Kate
looked on silently for few moments, and
then said:
'"wherc arc You going"
'Only to Pinevillc."
"What for?"
f'To sec about some powder and stnf.''
"That Is untrue. You are going to
spend the day with worthless companions,
and you will come back stupetied with
liquor. Rubc, listen to nae. have stood
all which it il possible for me to endure.
1 have prayed aud entreated you to aban-
don habit which has disgraced us both.
Ny pleadings have brrught nothing. l
cannot and will not have our child grow
up to know father who is a irnnkard. II
you refuse TO stay at home have said my
last say. Go TO Pineville. fyouinsist on
doing so, but if you are not here sober BY
sunset | shall 90 with the baby to fathers
and in this house viii never set foot
again
"That's all talk" "Rube answered, in
rough joking and half serious fashion.
''why, it's fifteen miles to Pineyille."
eNo matter" was the firm rejoinder.
81 will make the start, II the child and
freeze to death by the way"
lookout for woives," Rube laughed
again. "Thcre have been a half dozen
seen here lately 1t has been,a hard in
ter on them, aud they're almost starved. ,"
''wolves or no wolves, - muttered Kate,
''I'll co.
Rube hung about the house uneasily for
IN hour or so, then silentlyrigged himself
ont, leggings, buffalo coat, gan and all.
Kate worked away and never said word
He opened the door and, without looking
back remarked: