The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-10
"A CROSS WORDS RESULT.

Lucy, if you mean to sew this button
on, do wish you'd do it; can't wait all
day.
Tom didn't speak bitscFoss, only em-
phatic but was out of temper that
morning, and my head ached badly from
sitting up too late the night before. Tom
had gone to superior the second
time since our marriage-given by some
of his bachelor friends, and had come
home the worse for it.. 1t had provoked
me intensely. So had followed him to
bed in sullen silence, and awoke, none
the better pleased after my sleep, on the
morning alluded to. To make the mat
ter worse, just as he spoke to me about
his button, the knife, with which l was
cutting bread for his lunch, slipped, in
flictipg deep cash on my hand and
the baby awoke, and sent up her sharp,
little cry from the cradle, all in one and
the same moment.
night, 1 reckon" 1 replied, sharply,
really angry at last Don't hurry me
do all can, and more than Pm able
to do, with one pair of hands"
Tom dropped his button, and turned
toward me with a startled, "Why, Lucyn
Don't Lucy me-" I retorted, throwing
down the bread and catching up The
baby, while the blood streamed from my
hand over her white gown. you've
done enough; you've broke my heart.
wish had never seen you l wish 1
was back with my father and mother"
/ broke down with a burst of hysteri-
cal tears, and, seeing the blood on my
hand, Tom came over and knelt down
beside me.
"Why, Lucy" he said, his voice and
eyes full of tenderness, you've cut your
hand. Why didn't you say so? Here,
give me the child, while you bind.it up
see how it bleeds"
He held out his hands for the badly,
but snatched her away and went on
sobbing.
Don't cry, Lucy" he continued, strok-
Ing the hair back from my forehead
"please don't. know I've done wrong,
dear but didn't mean it. l fell in with
some of the old boys, and they per-
suaded me against my will. But it's the
last time, LucY-the last time"
Why didn't l turn to him, and help
and encourage him? Because my mean,
tyrannous temper got the better of my
woman's heart
ooh, yes~ l said, sneeringy, "it is
easy enough to make fine promises; you
told me the same thing before. How
can you expect me to trust you now"
Tom was spirited and quick-tempered
great, loving hearted men always are.
He sprung to his feet like flash, and
before l had time to think or speak, had
left the room. I tossed the child into
her cradle, and rushed to the door, butt
was too late-he was gone. l Just caught
glimpse of him turning the corner.
went back to the little breakfast
room. How blank and drear it looked,
and what sharp, stinging thorn there
was in the very core of my heart.
Soved Tom, and he loved me- We had
been married only eighteen months, and
this was our first quarrel l sat down
with the babe in my arms, needless OF
my morning work, and fell to thinking
All the old happy days came back and
one day in particular, when we sat in
burberry wood. 1t was in autumn, and
all the world seemed in blaze of gold
as the sun slid down, and the squirrels
chartered overhead, dropping ripe nut
now and then, into my lap, as | sat there
with the last rose of summer in my hair
knitting purse for Tom.
"Lucy," he had said, as I,wove in the
last golden stitches, you've knit my
Ioye-my very life-up in that purse
Tell me now, before you finish it, how
is it to be? Am / to leave you, and
and Oh / won't think of it even
Lucy, it would be too dreadfulN
mo, Tom," answered, @you are tc
have the purse, and the hand that kni'
it too