Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-05-24
Se1effed STORY.


Pretty little Mrs. Ainsworth wa'
in tears-pretty little Mrs. Aims
worth was in the habit Of being in
tears-it was one Of her especial
weaknesses and irritated her husband
as nothing else could do.
Externally snuffing and blubbsr-
ing," he had said; savagely, as he
grabbed his hat and went out Of the
front door with q rush and bang.
oh, dear! dear How Could he
be SO cru-el?' moaned Mrs. Aims
worth, crying the harder. TO 60
and leave me like this-and all be-
cause wanted-twenty dollars for a
new pair Of curtains that we needed
badly-and then to grow so angry
he's bear! Oh! why did l ever
marry him l might have known
mamma said he was stubborn and
had temper. Oh, dear dear
dear!
And lower sank her head in the
sofa cushions and the little clock on
the mantel ticked the hours away un.
til Mrs. Ainsworth raised her head
with start of surprise.
Twelve o'clock ! she exclaimed
I wonder why Ned isn't here? What
can keep him in the Office 80 late al
night? Hark what is that p
1t was the sound Of feet upon the
pavement, followed by q sudden
sharp ring at the door.bell.
! Mrs. Ainsworth hastily smoothed
her hair and ran down stairs and
opened the door starting back with 4
cry of terror at the objects that pre-
sented themselves. There, in charge
of two burly policemen, was Ned, his
clothes covered with mud his face
with mud, and his wild eyes and
lolling altitude betraying all toe
plainly his deplorable, disgracefuI
condition.
One of the policemen touched hi
hat respectfully to the stricken young
wife.
"If you please, ma am, it's nothing
serious. The boys ut the store made
Il night of it and wound up with a
row. The cut on his head is not
dangerous and by morning he'll be
all light.
BY morning he'll be all right,
Oh, no, no!' thought Mrs. Aims
worth. He is ruined-he will never
stop now. | know his disposition
and I-Oh. God pity me | helped
to drive him to it,
Assist him upstairs, please, she
said, and then you can CO." and she
wondered how she could speak SC
quietly and follow them so calmly
W hen her heart was breaking
Strong arms laid him down upon
the lounge, and then the two police
men departed and the wife was alone
with her sorrow and shame,
She wiped the blood from his fore
head, smoothed back the wavy, silken
hair, and knelt by his side and
prayed.
Help me; help mo to be strong,
Oh, God | and to keep him from
temptations was the cesseless prayer,
through the long hours of the night.
At last he stirred uneasily, and
suddenly started up to a sitting pos
ture.
'Halloa, Mamie is it you? And
are you through crying? Where are
the boys and'-with u look Of fear
crossing his face, in his now awaken
ed faculties-'where the mischief is
that money P feeling nervously in all
bis pockets.
What money. Ned?' inquired his
wife, a new dream coming over her.
why, the money I had of old
Smiths. l forgot to put it in the
bank, as he ordered, and went off
with the boys on lark. and-and by
Jupiter, Mamie, it's gone! I've been
robbed Of my employers money
his face whitening like a dead man s
as he sank back upon the lounge and
rsearded her in mournful horror.
How much was it 2 she managed
to ask through her trembling lips.
'rwo thousand dollars! be said
with sroan, l'iryiny hiafacc III Li3