The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-02-10
PORK AND POTATOES.

lHcf0 was u(t1c VI Iny INC VI IcHSOu
in the monotonous reiteration Of these
homely words, yet they had the designed
effect, for in the course of time the wide
eyed baby in the woman's lap began to
nod drowsy approval, and ct last fell
into an uneasy slumber.
Carefully the singer placed it in its
little cradle and turned to her neglected
work. There was enough to do in all
conscience. So much she hardly knew
where to begin.
While she hesitated her thoughts wan
dered away from the untidy kitchen with
its yesterdays litter all uncleaned. its
drifting rolls of lint, its sink piled high
with unwashed dishes, and for the mo-
ment she was no longer apallid, hollow
eyed, unkempt drudge, but young and
pretty, sweet and fresh as women are
who put on wedding finery and wait
with happy longing for the new life, full
Of blessed mystery.
-Four years ago." she thought, II
was the happiest woman in the world;
now am one Of the most miserable.
Four years ago kept happy birthday
in my heart and homo; now -
She gave . sharp, hard laugh and
turned to her work
Four years ago she and John had been
two smart and happy young people who
thought nothing on earth could make
them so devoutly thankful as to belong
wholly and entirely to each other. Their
marriage had been to them the best pos
sible celebration for the pretty young
brides birthday. They had begun life
in little hired house. with little stock
Of worldly goods and q great and won
derful fortune in store which they had
made up their minds to possess through
industry, economy and mutual en-
deayors
How was il, Annie asked herself over
and over again, that in four years they
had come to thisp She remembered as
she washed and sconred among the pots
and pans, how the girls in the shop
where she used to work had envied her.
Envied her for her handsome husband;
for her smart new dress; and had all Of
them hoped for rs good luck themselves
Now. Marian rode in her own carriage
and filed it royalty with her silks and
laces. Sho had married an old man,
surely enough to be sure, but what of
thate To-day she would sit at the head
Of a table loaded with silver, and groan-
ing under its weight Of costly dainties.
There was Alice, fair and frail. An
ME thought, with little thrill Of virtu-
Gus pride, that she never spoke of Alice;
yet at her table to-day there would be
music and laughter, rare fruits and
flowers and costly wines Though bet
Ter women summed her, vet was she
clothed in purple and fine linen and Jared
sumptuously every day.
There was Kate Brown, and Avis, her
sister, elderly girls, and plain but their
birthdays were always to them . high
holiday.
She began to sing again. and the
sweetness Of her voice was all lost in the
bitterness that rang through the same old
words:
"Pork and potatocs!
Pork and potatOesv'
1t was all they had in the house to eat,
and It was their birthday, their wedding
anniversary.
The door opened. and John came in;
not the hne, spruce young man who
smiled on her 50 proudly four years ago,
but = slouching man in dirty overalls,
with shabbiness written all over his
clothes, and care all over his face. He
was smiling now and swinging plump
little turkey.
Here. nanny" he called "here is a
bit OF birthday for you.''
20, Johnr' she cried. "How could
youp Poultry SO dear, and with never
dress or boot
Il did mot buy It" he answered, ssold
Huxley gave it to me.''
"A charity bird. Shame on you,
John! Shame on you. poor Is we are,
for taking charity. will not cook, or
eat. or have any hand in the disgrace Of
itrs
Throw it away, them, he answered,
''or give It to some one without your
cursed pride. And without another
word he went ont into the wind and
rain.
Charity. charity! charity!'' how the
worl rang through her brain! Not all
the sorrow, and poverty, and disappoint-
ment Of her married life had ever
humbled her like this one gift.
Old Huxley had once been 3 would-be
lover OF hers. and on former birthdavs
had offered her many valuable txinkek
This horrible bird. which John hsd
shamed her BY accepting. was ample
revenge TOR many scornfuI refusals.
While her cheeks vet burned with
angry shame the door opened aoain.
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