The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-11-14
By DIR. do LEWIS.

Deacon NJ, n rich, respectable man Of
tiyty.six, married for his third wife.
Katie c., a pretty sewing girl Of twenty.
two.
Some weeks before the wedding Katie.
who had been my patient, came TO ask
my advice about her marriage, though,
rs she aftcrward confessed, she was al
ready engaged. ! frankly advised against
the match, spoke of the Dcacon's daugh.
ters older than herself and urged his
well-known pcnmiousncss. But Katie
was poor; the Deacon was rich, had n
fine house, kept carriage, and was the
most considerable person in the neigh
borhood. They were married. The
neighbors congratulated her.
About two years after the wedding,
Katie asked me, in little note, to call,
and mentioned that she wished to see
me conhdentially. She was not very
sick, but wanted to ask my advice about
her troubles.
With much sohbing she told me that
after being very kind for few months
the Deacon had joined his daughters
against her. / tried to comfort her,
urging that in every position in life there
were trials which we must bear with
Christian patience.
But" said she, az need clothing, and
have often spoken of it, but he always
tells me Of what the Apostle says about
braided hair, and gold, and pearls, ana
costly array"
Fearing bitter quarrel, perhaps n
separation, and thinking might assist
in preventing it, | encouraged Katie to
couiide in me, and begged her to keep
her troubles from all the world besides.
Sho remained "sick" week, that she
night have some ono to talk to and cry
10. She finally said: 81 suppose even
you think / am too fond of dress, and
that the Deacon is right when he lectures
me against the vmities of this world.
When | was married / had only three
good dresses. Our Irish servant has
better wardrobe than | ever had "
Katie's mind dwolt so much upon
dress, that thought it best to learn the
facts. She at length convinced me that
the Deacon's refusal was piece OF his
characteristic meanncss. After good
deal Of Thought, | reached the conclusion
for the thousandth time, that wife has
rights which the husband is bound to
respect. ! advised plain, frank talk
with the Deacon. Tho next day she
told mo that he had said she had bet.
ter wait till he had paid the doctors bill
before she talked about dress.
IT was clear that between the father
and the daughters this poor child was
pretty sure to be crushed.
AT length plan of escape occurred to
me. Katie could run sewing machine.
took good Mrs G. into my confidence,
and then said 10 Katie:
Earn money with your sewing ma
chine, and buy dress. Mrs. g. is my
friend. She is prudent woman, and
will furnish the sewing"
Katie was up the next day. 1 dropped
in several times and found my patient
getting on famously.
At length Respondent silk appeared
in the Deacon's pew. The sisters were
astonished, and after the "ninthly" had
been safely passed, they divided their
time between the shining path to glory
of which the good man was speaking,
and the shining gown in the Dcacon's
pew.
The Deacon was puzzled Here was
!he new dress which he had refused t..
buy. How did she get it2 He was
ashamed to ask. Katie said nothing.
The daughters Intercepted the dress
maker. She said the silk came, she
made the dress; the Deacon's wife had
paid her; she presumed the Deacon fur.
nished the money; he certainly was rich
enough. The merchant was quiszed.
The young wife had paid him for the
silk and trimmings. That was all h,
knew. There were only three of us who
knew where the money came from, Tn,