The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-03-29
Her HEARTS DESIRE.

Her HEARTS DESIRE.
II tell you, Jack, the farm is not your
vocation. / become more and more con-
vinced of the fact every day, and less
contented with the life we are leading"
Breakfast was over, and we stood on
the farmhouse portico, arm in arm. On
the sill of the door sat baby, screaming
with delight rs she fed pair Of pet
pigeons from her dimpled hands. Our
breakfast had been delightful one
coffee as clear as amber, bread like
snow, and steak done to turn.
All about MS was green tangle OF
sweetbriar and honcysuckle; the sun
was just rising above the distant hills
and the morning air was fresh and
sweet, and filled with exquisite wood
land odors and musical with the songs
of birds. We could catch glimpse Of
the barn and poultry yards from where
we stood, and hear the plaintive lowing
of the kline, and the dream-like tinkle
Of their bells. felt vague sort of
conviction that Jack had but little SYM
pathy with my spirit of discomfort. vet
Twas determined to carry my point il
possible.
"You are dissatisfied with your lott
see that plainly, Nell" said Jack, trihe
sadly.
"Oh, nonsense" put in. "Not with
my lot, nor with you, nor with the farm,
Jack. / am tired to death with this
prosy, humdrum life. and hate to see
you delving and toiling like q slave
from one years end to another. You
are born for something better, Jack
something nobler and grander. Fancy
a man of Your abilities sowing grain.
digging potatoes and raising stock to
his life's end"
"But, my DEAR" suggested Jack, lone
must live and have bread and butter"
ITO be sure, Jack; but why not earn
it in a more genteel fashion?"
Honest labor is always genteel, Nell"
"Oh, pshaw! You misunderstood me,
Jack mean that you have capabilities
for something better. You only cling
to the old farm to please your father,
when you could 10 a hundred.fold bet
ter elsewhere. And, besides, where is
your society in this place, Jack? What
chances is there for our children as
they grow up!" Jack laughed as he
glanced down at baby, who was strug-
Cling furiously to get pigeoh's head
into her mouth.
"Ah, Nell, that is looking so far
ahead" he said: "and, my dear, YOU
seem to forget that have lived here all
my life"
"No, no, I don't forget, and, pray,
what have you done, Jack?"
Lied an upright life and married
you."
"But you didn't pick me up among
the clover blossoms, Jack; don't forget
that. You found me in town, and,
Jack, dear, I'm SO anxious to get back
to my native element. I'm tired Of all
this. You can get OH ever so nicely in
town, Jack; and there we can get into
society"
81 am not over fond of society. Nell. !"
"Oh, but you should be for my sake,
Jack. I'm fond of it. l hate to live like
q hermit. Why. Jack, If We desired to
give little party tomorrow, We could
not for lack of guests"
"Dear me, Nell, why / could muster
scores"
"Of certain sort, yes, but don't
| III my notions. l want no society but
the best: e-the-sort of society one
gets into in town"
Fashionable society; Nell"
"Well, then, why not? You have
means, Jack. and fiatter myself that
We are fitted to move in any circle,
Why should we bury ourselves in this
wilderness?"
"Our means not are inexhaustible,
Nell"
I'm aware of that, Jack, but we've
enough for the start, and Marlborough
offers You a good place i'm tho bank"
AT a limited salary, Nell"
"Oh, yes, but you can work your way
round Of the ladder. Do lets 60, Jack
I've lived here to please you ever sine,
our marriage. / think YOU can afford
to please me a little now"
Jack sighed as he looked out upor
tho ripening grain-felds. but he drew
me close to his heart and kissed me.
"That's true," he said; "you can't h
expected to care for the farm as do
Nell. promised to make You happ,
when you consented to become my wife
and Ill try to keep my work. los
shall have your own way, Nell"
The continuous dropping OF wate1
wears away the solid stones. hat
conquered my husband at last and til,
desire OF my heart was about to he &C
complished. When Jack once made NJ
his mind to do thing he did il with al
his might. The matter was soon set
tied. Cherrp Hill, as We called th'
farm, was sold at great sacrifice, an,
one sunny morning We turned our back
upon the breezy down and COLDER
grain-felds and journeyed cltyward.
I'm afraid you've made q great mis-
take" said Jacks father, rs he bade u
goodbye, you'd better have stuck 4
The farm. Yon remember the old say
ing about rolling stones"
II don't believe in old saying, sir"
answered loftily, "and l think / can aI
preciate my husbands ability bette
than any one else can"
"All right; hope sou won't find youl
self mistaken. my dear. Goodbye /
both of you. Whatever You do, car
well for the little one. I'm afraid sh
won't like the change. II you happe
to tire of the town and fashion, don
forget that welcome awaits yoa q
home"
Jacks heart was too full for uttel
ance.
Thank You, sir" / said; "but "
shall not get tired"
Our new home in town was = stylis