The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-10

4
village.
mo fault to find, only he's a little too
wild-too fond of gay company; but
you must tame him, Lucy ,as your mother
did me-
That was my old fathers advice on our
wedding day. My hears smote me
dreadfully as | called it to mind that
morning Had l done my duty? Had
/ followed the example of my mother,
who never let fall an unkind word? TX
But Tom would be home for dinner.
The thought brought me to my feet. |
did up my work briskly, and went about
cooking just such a dinner as knew he
liked. The plum pudding was done to
perfection /; the baby in clean slip, and
myself all smiles to receive him when
the clock struck one. But he did not
come. 5--..'
/ put by the untasted dinner, and pre-
pared supper, and lit bright fire in the
little. parlor. He should have pleasant
welcome. But he did not come. Eight,
nine, ten o'clock. and l put by the un-
tasted supper, and baby and 1 went up
to the nursery to watch and wait How
the little thorn in my heart pierced and
ranked! Tom had broken his promise,
and my unkindness was the cause !!
Nothing else rang in my ears through
the long hours.
About two o'clock heard a noise be-
low, and went to the window. There
was man on the porch; could just see
him in the dim light.
TON, is that you?" asked softly, put
ting out my head.
Eyes; open the door, Lucy-quick.
The police are after me-"
My heart sank. The police after him!
What could he have done? l ran down
quickly and unlocked the door. But as
l did so, two men, wearing official
badges, stepped up on the porch, and
one of them laid his hand on Toms
shoulder and said, Il arrest you, sir"
"For what?" cried
"For murderw
The floor seemed sliding from beneath
my feet, but l caught at the door to
steady myself, and looked at Tom. At
that instant the official uncovered his
lantern, and oh, my God! there was
blood upon my husbands hands.
All the rest is a blank. When came to
life again was in bed in my own room,
and kind, compassionate faces were
around me- i asked for Tom He was
in prison. awaiting his trial. There had
been a quarrel at the tavern, whittier
my cruel words had driven Tom and
Tom had struck his antagonist The
man was not dead, though they thought
he was at first but he was badly hurt
about the head But if he recovered
well, it would not 60 so hard with Tom
| arose and went down to the prison,
but they would not admit me. No one
was to see my husband until after the
trial. Another day crept by-a night
and then a morning came. I went down
to the door and opened it, with that
vague feeling of expectation which
always accompanies severe atfliction,
and looked out. The sun was rising
Gods sun-rising gradually and brightly
over the black, stone jail. The frost
hung thick and sparkling over every
thing, even on the scrap of folded paper
that lay at my feet. l stopped and
picked it up idly, as we catch at a straw
or twig, sometimes, without any motive,
or power of volition. The superscrip
ton caught my eye; it was my own
name, and in my husbands writing.
tore it open and read:
Dear Lucy-I have broken out of jail,
and am going-well, no matter where. |
didn't strike Hastings with any intention
to kill him. | was intoxicated, and it
was more his fault than mine; but he
may die-and then-at any rate, it is
better for you, Lucy, for me to go.
never was worthy of you. New, you
can go back to your father and forget
me, and be happy. You will find the
bonds for what money l have in bank,
in my desk; it is enough to make you
and the child comfortable. Forgive and
forget me, Lucy. God bless you-you
and the baby. TOM"
That was the end That was the re-
ward that my cross word had purchased
for me. Truly, truly, the wages of sin is
death. We shall not need one pang of
corporeal suffering, one spark of real
fire, to perfect our torment, if We are
l...r...: IL -.