The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-08-09

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The story had been told and retold, and
Tony was the hero of the hour. Every
body had something to say about his
wife. She was clearly Judging from
| the evidence offered, which Tony ac-
cepted without question: the best wom-
an in the neighborhood, and Tony was
very proud Of her.
For "a few weeks affairs moved ia the
old way at Tony's. Then. one Sabbath,
there was departure. Tony and his
wife and children went to church. This
was their first appearance, and Tony
was complimented. He declared they
needn't make any fuss over him. He
didn't care for church, but his wife did.
She had remained at home good many
years to please him, and now he was
attending church to please her. He
was hard case himself, but he wanted
his children. to be like their mother, and
he guessed they would be anyhow. But
he was going to help her now. And
then Tony would drop his voice:
Just think of it! She made nineteen
trips to get me out of the scrape, and
spent ninety-five dollars, all of which
money she scraped together herself. By
links, get to thinking about it some
times when am Mt work. and pound
horseshoe all to flinders before I know
what | am doing. She's a wonderful
woman, sir, and-and she's my wife.
She can run the boat to suit herself
now, SIR
Tony meant what he said. His wife's
individuality was the controlling one at
the corners. In time there was car
pet on the floors, and then, wonder of
wonders to Tony! common but pretty
pattern OF paper on the walls. Tony
became Observation-Disclosures to his wife.
Couldn't he make. picture frames,
brackets and other ornamental and'use-
ful articles for the house?n OF course
he could, and he took great delight in
1t: lie couldn't sit down and tell his
wife, In words, how much he was sur
prlsed at her better self, nor how CRATE
1ul he felt, nor how much he loved her.
but he could work it out, and ali his
spare time was devoted to doinr tl.inrs
that he imagined she wanted done. He
was simple and awkward in sprinsine
his surprises on her, or in discovering
what she desired, but the very simplicity
OF his action made his acts the more
pleasant and touching to his wife.
Tony became proud of his house. lie
would shoe horse with the old skill
and carefulness as to details, anil wouhi
talk as much while doing ii, but now all |
the talk was about his own home; ana
when the work was done he would
maneuver to have his customer 90 in
and look round, as he expressed it |
would take him in to show him a ney>I
tiour-barrel he had made, or a new rat /
trap, when all the time he meant to show |
him the paper on the walls, the carpet |
on the Hoors, and the general features |
OF ms coy little home. He was always |
inviting people to dinner now, too. He |
made childish. parade of his wife and |
her accomplishments. This became
habit with him, and, unconseiously.
people encouraged him in it.
Tony was no longer freebooter, and
made no more raids on Sunday. He
hooked no more roasting ears OF
He CARRIED off no more
rails, and was never accused of shoot
ng other peoples chickens or hogs.
AS the improvements at the house as
'umed decided shape, improvements
we're inaugurated at the shop. The
'ambling old building was s.r.tightcned
Up and frightened up, the. fences were
made new, the garden flourished in
proper season, and an air OF comfort
'ervaded Tony's corners.
Tony went to church regularly, and
always took the whole family; and of
,hurch he made much of little things.
lie devoted more attention to keeping
us children quiet than to the sermon
The children always had their pennies
Q put into the contribution-hox; and
he day the baby accomplished the feat
I dropping fige-cent coin in the box
Without grabbing for the other coins al
eady In was an hour of triumph for
sony. There was something pathetic
bout these little oddities that appealed
2 all the tenderness there was IN poo
les hearts.
In time Tony would have been iu-
ignant had any one asserted that he
ras not member of the church. He
1asn't clear in his mind as to when he |
joined, but new customs had crept
1to his home, new thoughts into his !
1ind, and new sentiments into his
cart. People said there was a great
hange of heart, and as Tony was
roud of the evidences of such a
hange, the people were probably right.
he movement, with Tony, was steadi-
progressive. He CROPPED blindly ut
rst, but in time the resolution of the
ian and his versatility of talent
lowed in good works.
He was now spoken of as Mr.. Hard
and he neighbored with all
10 people. He didn't get above his ,
ork, but he took his work ND to a
lgher plane. Mothers never objected
DIV to their sons Iounging about
ony's shop. The boys liked to be with
ony, and even the men were glad when
"reminiscences made it necessary to 40
the shop.
The great change In Tony's life was
first attributed to the reformatory in
fence OF prison discipline. But in good
me people saw with clearer eyes. He
living better life not so
UGH as matter of conviction as to
ease his wife. Under this influ-
ICE his convictions were reached
"a the man was aroused. He liked 4