Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-06-22
would be unable to make his usual

round.
These debauches were followed by
| such remorse, such promises for the
future, that the young wife felt sure
| each fall would be the last; and though
any unusual delay in his coming would
send the blood curdlipg to her heart,
she still looked hopefully to the future.
Then came the joys, the cares of
motherhood; and for "baby's" sake
| Herbert True battled bravely against
temptation, and the skeleton IN their
home seemed laid forever. An I'M
usually prolonged season of sickness
kept DIR. True driving night and day,
and again came the temptation to keep
up his tagging strength with stimu-
lants "just this oncep and again the
old story is repeated.
At last comes letter from the dear
old father and mother. They would
see their darling in her new home, and
above ali, grandma wishes to see the
little namesake, whose cunning sayings
and doings make up the bulk of the
letters home. Mrs. True makes ready
for their coming with many n.isgiviDgs,
! lest loves watchful eyes discover the
| CHASTITY sorrow that dims her most
cherished hopes, that breathes mildew
on all that future seems to portend.
Alb, well! she has kept it from all the
world; she must, she will, hide it from
the hearts that would gladly yield up
their life blood to ave her parg.
On the day of the expected arrival,
little Matte was carefully dressed and
"tarled up" as che always called the
combing of the beautiful ringlets, So
like to Grandma Grey's, except in color,
and then 'Gommie's grille" went out
to amuse herself. and Mamma, 1 wont
ever 'sturh 90 ever again." sang the
sweet baby voice as the tiny shoes
chartered down the steps. In the first
Joy Of holding again in her arms the
daughter SO fondly beloved, Grandma
forgot her baby, and when Mt last they
sought her, she could not be found.
Back of the house was low, sprirgy
place, where shallow hole had been
scooped out and curbed, called by
courtesy the well. To this the mother
fastened with many forebodings, and
there, flating in the cruel waters, were
| tho long golden curls of her darling.
| When DIR. True hurried home to greet
the father and mother of his wife, h
found them bending in agony oyer the
| lifeless form of his idolized child.
What wonder that he said to himself
II must have something to sustain me
| through this terrible trial., and SO
drank again; at first moderately, then
with an increasing appetite that threat
ened to betray HIM, until his wife said,
Herbert, if you must drink, let it be
at home. | will attend your wants and
excuse you to your patrons. This was
two years ago; and how faithfully that
wife had guarded this living tomb, let
the fact that her husbands frequent i'll
ness was still attributed to his over
doing" testify.
Christmas, with its precious tokens
| of love and good will, brought Mrs.
True letter from home with a draft
of $50 as Christmas gift. Well she
knew the loving sacrifice implied by
such gift from the scanty proceeds of
the sterile New England farm. She
to Herbert, for times were hard, and
this would help them through the win
ter SO nicely. He said, without looking
at her, 81 wish you would let me have
a few dollars. | am little short"
She stopped him with kiss, and after
endorsing it, gave the draft to him say
ing, " Use as much as you need; you
know it is because it will help you that
| am 30 pleased" He took it and went
out without even the usual kiss. Long
the faithful wife awaited his return. In
the uncertain light of dawn a mans
form is distipguishable coming slowly
up the walk. "Thank God; he is COM
ing at last" But, no; ring at the
door bell. 1t is probably some one af-
ter her husband. Slowly, in 3 dszed,
confused way she opens the door. The
stranger. begins: "Mrs. True, have
There has been an accident. Your
husband was hurt by cars. They are
bringing him home" She neither
sp Ike nor moved until the silent pro-
cession came to the door, and then me-
chanically she led the way to the bed
chamber. Without a word she lifted
tho coverimg and found death written
Enthusiastically on the dear face. Only
those that love like her can know
can realize what she suffered i'll that
| hour.
An unaccountable accident, said the
papers, but one faithful heart knew
that drink, and drink alone, had made
her u widow. Now in the old home
she waits, hroken-hearted woman, for
the same summons to join her loved
ones.