Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-09
A WIFE'S MISSION.
ALBANY Argus.
BY PHEBUS.


by the sorrows of long life She was
sad and solitary as she sat in her large
parlor, evidently expecting an arrival.
12an entered the room.
John Harper glanced uneasily at his
another rs he sank into chair. Before
ahe could speak he exclaimed:
Read me no lecture! | know that /
came home last night and was rather
merry; in fact, / was intoxicated; but
mother, remember, [ am no longer
boy; ara 80 years Of age, and you can
not expect me to be responsible to you
for my actions. / met some friends and
we had achampagne supper to celebrate
my engagement to LeOnora Markham,
and perhaps we all drank more wine
shan was good for us.
''My son, was Mrs. Harper's reply,
.'Leonora is refined and fastidious. DO
you think that she would be pleased if
she heard how you COmmemOrated the
happy event of Your betrothal?"
Johns face flushed as he listened; but
with manlike obstinacy he would not
acknowledge his error.
when you told me Of your engage
ment," she continued, II was happy,
for thought YOU were worthy Of pos
Bessing an innocent young wife. Prove
yourself so by promising me neyera again
TO taste intoxicating liquor.
Mother, was the reply. Il will not
pledge myself TO become a teetolar, for
have too much self-respect to degener-
a.e into sot."
You have never known" said Mrs
Harper, "but one parent-yOur unhap-
0y mother The memory of the dead
thould be sacred, but to save you [
will reveal your unfortunate fathers
sin
My married life began under the
most favorable circumstances. | loved
any husband with all the romantic fervor
of youth. We were blessed with pros
perity, and it appeared as if we were to
enjoy unalloyed happiness.
Thirty years have elapsed since all
my hopes perished yet my heart grows
cold when | recall the remembrance of
shat fatal night--hat night of terror
when | discovered that [ was a drunk
ards wife.
Zone evening your father did not re-
turn at his usual hour. | sat down to
she dinner table, solitary and miserable.
The time passed, the clock struck y,
and yet he did not come. At last heard
footsteps. Presentiments of evil made
my heart sink. opened the door. To
my horror, drunken man staggered
into the room.
Il could not believe that contemplate
being was my husband. He embraced
me, and for the first time in my life [
shrank from his careSS. He claSped me
in his arms, and kissed me with maud
lin affection. felt degraded by his
love, and pushed him from me with dis
gust. My repulSion drove him frantic.
saw his arm uplifted. [ felt heavy
blow. | realized that was q drunk
ards wife; and then knew no more,
for I became unconscious.
THAT morning you were born. For
many weary weeks lay struggling with
death. was delirious, and did not
know that | was mother. When [ re-
gained my senses my first thought was
of my unhappy husband. l glanced
around the room, but | did not see the
one | looked for; | only saw his heart
broken mother, who sat weeping by my
bedside.
''She brought you to me and folded
my arms around your tiny form.
's'Mv child, she said, you have some
one yet to live for. Watch over your
boy-rear him to become an upright,
honest man, and, above all, teach him
to shun the wine cup, for that was his
fathers curse
'''Oh, mother, was my reply, L still
love my husband. for he was never I'M
kind to me until that fatal night; and
then | am sure thathe was irresponsible,
for he was insane from drink. Call him
to me, mother; [ will forgive him all;
[ will reclaim him. and we will again be
happy
I received no reply. [ looked up,
and then | noticed that my mOther-in-
law was dressed in deep mourning. [
grasped her by the arm. | asked her to
tell me what had happened.
My child, was the reply, my poor
boy can only ask forgiveness from his
sod
''Your unfortunate father was dead.
After weeks of dissipation, he had died
miserably from the effects of drink.
after hearing the sad history of my
life, / am sure that you will listen to
your mothers warning. Promise me,
1mpIore you, never TO taste WINE
again"
The old lady's voice trembled as she
spoke and her mild blue eyes filled with
tears.
Mother" was the reply, Il answer
you as l did before; have too much
self-respect ever to become a drunk
ard. You must trust your boy. | dc
not inherit the fatal appetite of my faith.
or; will prove myself worthy of youl
affection"
Leonora Markham was the petteC
child of fortune; she had, been left moth
erless at an early age, and her father
devoted his life to his child, indulgins
her in every wish. The course of true
love had in this instance ran smoothly
Leonora was affianeed to the man o