The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-07-05
NICE LITTLE GAME.

4 NICE LITTLE GAME.
Frank sat before the glowing CRATE, his
feet on one corner of the mantel. his chair
tipped back His young wife looked at
him, ard her pretty black eyes, which only
a minute before had been brimful OF tears.
emmittcd sparkle of fire. Her rosy mouth
closed with a firm expression, and her
dainty foot came down upon the rug IN
very decided manner.
4 won't stand it," she said, under her
breath Il ean't-twill kill me to see him
night after night besotted, degraded, ruin
ing both soul and body. I must do some
thing-I must save him for my baby's
sake!"
Then she sat down and meditated. They
mad beec married little over two years,
aud the babe 10 the wicker cradle was q
thriving boy. No happier woman than
Dolly the world held, but f,r one thing
He, young husband would drink. He low
ed his social glass, his wine suppers and
club dinners. He did not neglect his
wife, but often he came home in the small
hours in rather an unsteady condition.
Dolly tried everything-tears. entreat1es,
persuasiocs- he only laughed her OH.
"Where's the harm, Dolly? Can't fellow
be merry now and then with his friends"
But Dolly saw the fatal evil growing up
or him day by day. and knew what the end
would De. She shuddered, and her eyes
filed with tears, but minute after they
flashed fire, aud she smiled.
''I'll try it" she said to herself; III 1t
does no good it can't do much harm. linen
she said, Frank
Her husband reused up, and, opening MS
eyes with and imbeeile stare, replied:
"All right, Dolly"
Frank, YOU believe that woman shoald
follow her husbands footsteps, don't your"
''To be sure. You're sensible woman,
Dolly"
And you're sensible man, Frank.
What's right for yor' to do is right for me-
isn't it?"
Precisely! Just SO, Dolly-exact1y,
Yours wise woman, you are
Dolly smiled quietly.
Very WE'LL Frank; if you go to the tavern
any more nights, Im going too"
Her husband looked up half sobered.
Nonsense, Dollyv he said; that is run
ming the thing into the ground. You WILL
do no such thing"
you'll see that will, Frank! she an
swered, resolutely. II love you, and what
you do shall dotoo! If you see fit to ruin
yourself, soul and body, and shame your
CON, i Buhll 1OilOW yOu4 CAoAAP1o' WAN
for nothing that you cannot share. Az you
do. go will ].
His cheek pa1el and his lip guivered.
He sat silent for minute, then got up and
said:
Nonsense, little girl! Come to bed
Dolly"
She followed him obediently, and no
more vas said onlthe subject. For three or
four nights Frank came home punctually,
then his old habit mastered him.
Dolly had his supper all waiting, and his
slippers and dressing gown before the ire,
but he did not come. See waited patiently
till 10 o'clock, then putting wrap about
her, she called the housenaid.
''sit by baby's crib, Mary. and, when
Mr.. Mayfair comes, tell him have gone to
the Reindeer. Ask no questions, and take
good care of baby, and you shall have
dollar extra this month"
Twelve o'cloek-one and then the
young husband let hirnselfin with his night
key, and came Keeling into the sitting room.
Thete sat the maid beside the sleeping
child
Frank looked about him little and ously.
east asleep! Fine little fellow, he
said, bending over the crib. Mary, my
girl. where's your mistress-gone to bed?"
mo sir, she's goneto the Reindeer hotel.
He stood and stared.
what do you say, girI?"
"She vent out at ten, sir, and bad me
tell you when you came in that she had
gone to the Reindeer"
The young husband stifed something
like an oath, and sat down before the
hearth. Half an hour went by, then he
started up and glanced at the clock.
Great heavens! It is nearly two and
she's not here!"
He seized his hat and rushed from the
house like one mad. By the time he was
half way to the Reindeer he was perfectly
sober.
Gould she have meant what she said?"
he asked himself over and over again.
Presently carriage came down from the
lighted tavern on the hill, and as it passed
him, a woman's voice rang out, singing the
chorus:
We won't go home till morning!
It was his wife's voice. He caught at the
horses head, frantic with rage. Dollys
pretty curly head looked out as the vehicle
stopped.
Get in-hic-geti in! Why didn't you come
did! Don't blame you for going out, Frank.
-
mean to 60 every night.
"You do" he gasped, leaping into the
seat beside her. Grasping her arm, he
muttered, Ever dare to do such thing
again, and you'll be no wife Of minel"
Dolly laughed uproarously:
Nonsense, Frank! Let me do as you
do; that's fair. Let go my arm! You hurt
me! Besides, you'll break my flask Of
prime brandy! Frank, taste a drop"
He caught itfrom her hand and flung it
out of the window.
''Bah!" said Dolly, her cheeks flushed,
her hair awry, II wish I'd stayed at the
Reindeer-hic. What makes you so CROSS,
Frank2"
"Hushl Say no more, Dolly" he answer
ed, his teeth set hard. II can't bear it. I
Il may do something I'll be sorry for.
Keep silent-I don't wantany more crooked
words"
RAMS horns, if I die for it, cried
Dolly.
Then she clapped her hands and laughed
gleefully, breaking of into
moonlight night for q ramble!
Frank let his head fall into his hands.
Great heavens" he groaned; Il would
rather have died than have seen this night"
He got her home and into her own room
dt 1dSI DuG BIO WAS VoIy uuulnA1ds5oaO1c, fs0u
persisted in cutting up all manner of capers
dancing and singing--her cheeks flushed
and her hair streaming, and asking If they
would not 60 another night-it was such
fun.
His pretty, modest little Dolly! Long
after she had fallen into sound sleep, her
husband sat over the smouldering fire with
his face hidden in his hands.
Dolly" he said. when she awOke late on
the following morning, what happened
last night must never happen again."
She looked up with her old clear eyes.
very we'll Frank; that is for you to say.
Just as you do so will I"
He was silent moment.
IT would rather die than see what saw
last night over again. he said.
Frank, she said, her lips quivering,
"I've seen the same sight once or twice
every week since married you, and God
only knows what it has cost me-"
He caught her close to his heaving
.sPoor little wifev' he almost sobbed,
you shall never see such sight again. I
shall sign the pledge day."
Frank, said his pretty wife, one day,
as they watched their children playing on
the lawn, II fooled you handsomely that
night: it was all make believe. didn't 20
to the Reindeer that night, and not a drG.
Of the hateful stuff had passed my lips.
Didn't fool you that night, and cure you
in the bareain2"
You little witch2" he cried, but the in
slant after his eyes filed. Yes, Dolly
he said and drawing her close to his side,
ssyou cured me Of habit that would have
)een my ruin. Heaven bless you for jtis