The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-12-06
RUBE'S REFORMATION.

RUBE'S REFORMATION.
Rube Wexford ought to have been a
happy fellow. He was certainly con-
sidered one on the day when Kate
Wilde became his bride He was the
envy of every young man in the rude
western hamlet where the ceremony
took place, and many were the good
wishes showered on the heads of the
newly-wedded pair for their future
happiness and prosperity. Still there
were those who not only insinuated
but boasted that the helpmate of her
choice was unworthy the woman he
had won. Kate's father and mother
were particularly opposed to the match
and did all in their power to prevent
| it, but the girl, besides her unwas ering
love-, possessed determined will
which, when once aroused, carried
much before it. Rube Wexford was
never accounted strictly temperate
man.. Indeed, there had been times
before marriage when he was for days
under the influence of liquor, and Kate
had seen him in that state, and there
| fore knew fully the extent of his weak
ness. But the woman loved the man,
and within herself resolved that his
reclamation should be her duty. That
success must crown her efforts she lit
tie doubted.
Autumn drifted away, the crops had
been gathered in and all the indica-
tions pointed to an early and severe
winter. Rube's sprees continued. No
wind was too cold, no snow too deep
to keep him from Washburn's, a not
distant tavern. One evening in the lat
ter part of December he took down his
leggins and gun from the pegs where
they hung, and was preparing to go
out. Kate went to him and said:
"Rube, you must not leave me to-
night. Give in to me this time and
stay at home"
replied; '.I'll be back SOON"
"No, you are going to Washburn's.
Tonight you will, you must CRAFTY
me. l am afraid to remain here alone"
''AfraidP" he answered. Such a
thing as fear was almost unknown to
Kate Wilde.
She clasped her arms around his
neck, whispered into his car, her cheeks
flushing brightly, then sat down in the
rocker and cried as if her heart would
break. Rube stood the gun in the
corner, threw aside the leggings and
cried too.
The next morning when the winter
sun beamed upon the cabin the little
log shelter held three souls instead of
two. A wee stranger had come in the
night, bright-eyed baby girl. Her
weak cry seemed to move all the better
part of the husbands nature, and his
wife looked on with newborn conf
dence in her face. After week, when
Kate was able to sit up, Rube went TO
relate the happy event to his grand
parents. 1t was the first time he had
visited them for months. Very early
in the morning he started, and when
the afternoon shadows began to length
en- Kate looked out eagerly for his re-
turn. 1t was toward daybreak when
he appeared, his hands and feet almost
frozen and his senses stupefied by Iq-
uor. The Wife's new hopes were des-
tined to be short-lived. Freshly-made
promises marked the morrow, but days
went by only to see them unfulfilled.
Now there was a new torture. Rube
had forsaken Washburn's and made
his visits to Pineville instead, where
Kate's father and mother lived. 1t was
almost more than the Woman's nature
could bear to know that her parents
were the frequent witnesses of her
husband 8 disgrace. This was sort
of thing which she could not and would
not long brook.
Little Kate, the baby, was a month
old to day when Rube made prepara-
tions one morning for trip to Pine
vile. Kate looked on silently for a
few moments and then said:
''Where are you going?"
"Ouly TO Pineville."
"What for?"
''To see about some powder and
stuff
That is untrue. You are going to
spend the day with worthless compan-
ions, and you will come back stupid
with liquor. Rube, listen to me. l
have stood all it is possible for me to
endure. l have prayed and entreated
you to abandon habit which has dis
graced us both. My pleadings have
brought nothing. l cannot and will
not have our child grow up to know a
father who is drunkard. If you re-
| fuse to stay at home l have said my
last say. Go to Pineville if you insist
upon doing so, but if you are not here
sober by sunset shall go with the baby
to fathers, and in this house l shall
| never set foot again"
''That's all talk" Rube answered in
q rough, joking, half serious fash
ion. sWhy, it's fifteen miles to Pine
ville''
mo matter" was the firm rejoinder.
81 will make the start if the child and
. / freeze to death by the way"
.Look out for the wolves" Rube
laughed again. ''There has been hall
| a dozen seen lately. 1t has been hard
winter for them, and they're most
starved"
evolves or no wolves" muttered
Kate, "Tl 60"
Rube hung about the house uneasily
for an hour or so, then rugged himself
out, leggings, buffalo coat, gun and
all Kate worked away and said never
a word. He opened the door and with.
out looking back remarked:
'tI'll be here by sunset"
''See that you are," was the reply
ssIf you come here later the house will
be empty"
The wife watched his form across
the clearing and saw it disappear il
the heavy timber which circled the
cabin. She turned to her household
duties, but had no heart for them. Wei
she knew Rube Wexford would breal
his last promise as he had broken 9th
ers before it. If so he must abide BY
the result, She was determined.
The day went by at snails pace
oDd tho afternoon seemed never and