Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-07-19
VOL. LVII.
would hire me to make myself such n
drudge as poor Ruth Is"

"Y es, do" said Essie, with emphasis.
"1o Il BIuebeard, to a stock, stone, a
man who is grinding his wife's life out
on the pitiless wheel of money-making.
No. wouldn't live as Ruth does, not
if you would put me in IA palace"
Mr.. Martin grew green and saffron
by turns,
"Humph" said he. Fine ideas you
have got at this fashionable boarding
school of yours. Well, if you don't
like my offer, you're not obliged to
accept it. BE a fine lady, if you please,
and see where it will land you"
BY way of answer. Essie marched
out of the room with all the dignity of
a royal princess. She only stopped in
the kitchen long enough to kiss Ruth,
who was in the midst of baking.
"Poor darling" said she, "How l
wish 1 could carry you off with me.
For stay, l won't"
Life is hard work, Essie," SAID Mrs.
Martin, beginning to cry, in spite of
herself; "and it's woman's duty to
help her husband"
And | mean to help mine-when |
have one," said Essie, blushing bright
ly. "3ut not by wearing myself out."
Mr.. Martin shook his head.
"If Stephen Smith is foolish enough
to marry that saucy gypsy. she'll
lead him a pretty life" said he. 81
wonder if she expects to sit on Il
satin sofa all her days. with rose
in her hand, and her hair frizzled, in
that preposterous fashion, all over
her eyes? But l warn 'em, they need
never come to me for help! Esther
has treated me with too much insolence
for me ever to receive her again"
81 am sure she did not mean any
thing" said Mrs. Martin, apologetically.
"Well, then, her words belied her
meaning" remarked Thomas Martin,
grimly COMPRISING his lips.
But Stephen Smith was apparent
ly undaunted by the possibilities of
ruin predicted by Farmer Martin, for
he married Esther and went to the
city to live, within three months.
81 give 'em just year to come
back here and eat humble pie!' said
Martin, vindictiyely.
"Oh. Thomas; don't talk So" said
his wife. Zone would think you
would be glad to have some evil
befall them
And so l should" said Martin.
viciously grinding his teeth together.
THAT girl needs lot of humbling,
and l hope she'll get it."
Three years afterward there came
one of those terrible droughts that
undo a farmers life-work in sea
son, and sweep away his prospects as
an autumn wind sweeps away a sere
forest. The cattle died, a pestilence
broke out among the flock of sheep,
which Thomas Martin had just bought;
high wind blew his best barn over,
and disaster stared him in the face on
every side.
"It's no use talking" said he. 81
cannot meet this years interest on the
mortgage The place will have to 60"
"Oh, Thomas" groaned Mrs. Martin,
who, poor soul, now lay all day on a
hard wooden lounge, and groaned to
see how wofully she was needed at the
helm.
II can't help it, said Martin.
Everything is against me"
"It's only five hundred dollars" said
Mrs Martin. "You might borrow it. .
"Who'd lend to me, I'd like to know =?
said Martin, remembering with a sigh
how he had hardened his own face
against every humble suppIiant in the
golden days of his prosperity.
There's Esther's husband" )" suggest
ed Ruth. "I've heard that he's doing
well in Boston. And, after all, Esther's
my own sister,"
Mr. Martins features contracted into
hideous grimace. OF all the bitter
cups which circumstances had held to
his lips of late this was the bitterest.
But it had to be swallowed. There
was no help for it.
81 didn't suppose Smiths folks lived
as genteel as this" said he to himself,
as a neat maid led him across an
octagonal vestibule, foOred with black
and red marble, and fragrant with
flowers, under the golden fringe of an
antique portiere, into large, taste
fully-furnished room, where the sing
ing birds, the open piano, the low satin
sofa all betokened no lack of money.
Yes---Mr. Smith was at home. He
had not yet gone to the store, and pres
emily he came in, waving welcomes to
the man who had married Essie's sister
LEND you thousand dollarS?" said