Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-08-15
JOHN REYNOLDS LESSON.

"What is the matter, little woman 20
''Only tired. John.'
Lima Reynolds looked up as she spoke
to smile bravely into the face bending
anxiously over her.
"Iired, Lima ~ he said, lifting the lit
tie figure as he spoke and taking his wife
like child upon his knee. What have
you been doing to tire your"
"Only the days work. Don't worry
John,' for shade passed over the kindly
face.
L don't worry; but I can't see what
makes you complain so often of being
tired. am sure the work amt so much
Other women do it'll"
There Was just a little fretfulness in
Johns tone, though he did not mean to
be unkind.
II know they do. Mrs: Harper has four
children, and takes care of them in addi-
tion to homework, besides doing piles OF
sewing. Perhaps, John, it is because ]
have not had experience in country work
and don't manage well. I will learn bet.
ter after while. Now, tell me what you
did in town."
81 did quite well. Sold the whole crop
of wheat at good price, and put another
instalment in the bank for the Stanley
farm"
"Your heart is set on that farm, john
"Indeed it is Let me once own that.
clear of debt, and I shall be happy man.
1t is the best land IN the county and the
house is twice as large as this"
Lima thought of larger floors to scrub,
more rooms to clean and additional work
of all kinds and swallowed a little sigh
that nearly escaped her.
John" she said, rather timidly. "don't
you think if you spent part of the money
on this house we might be very happy
here 2"
"Spend money On this house ?" cried
the astonished John. "Why, what on
earth ails this house p''
Il mean in things for it. Now, the
parlor looks so stiff and is always shut
up. was thinking if we had pretty
carpet and some curtains of white muslin
or lace and set of nice furniture and
and-a piano. Ga, John if could have
a piano !"
John Reynolds looked at his wife as if
she had proposed to him to buy up the
crown jewels of Russia.
"a piano Do you know what piano
costs ?"
mo. Aunt Louise had one. you know,
ever since can remember. But I think
if we had pretty parlor to rest in in the
evening, I could play for you and sing.
You never heard me play or sing, John ?'
II have heard you sing, but not lately"
said John, rather gloomily.
ooh! that was just humming around
BE house. l mean real singing. have
lots OF music in my trunk
"But you are only farmers wife now.
Lima. [ thought you understood when
we were married that you were not to
have city fnery and pleasures"
$50 I did, John. 1 don't want finery. 1
don't want any pleasure but your love,
John. Dent scowl up your face SO. 1 am
silly to think of these things at all. There,
kiss me and forget it. am nicely rested
now and I'll get your tea in ten minutes. ="
John put her down with tender kiss
and straightway fell into reverie.
Lima Rivers had been district school
teacher in Scotland just four months.
when John Reynolds offered her his hand
and heart. She was an orphan from in
fancy, but her fathers sister had adopted
her and educated her in a life of luxury,
and died without altering will made
years before, leaving her entire fortune to
a charity asylum. Lima, left alone, had
thankfully accepted the position of a
country school teacher procured for her by
some friends, and was thinking life hard
burden, when John came to brighten it..
She gave her whole gentle, little heart into
his keeping at once, eppreciating at their
full value his honest, true heart, his frank
nature. his sterling coed qualities. and
boxing with the most profound admira-
tion upon his tall, strong frame and hand
some face.
1t was perfect love match, for John
fairly worshiped the dainty, refined little
beauty he had married. And, having
married her, he took her to his home,
and, in all ignorance, proceeded to kill
her.
There was no blame to be laid upon him.
Living In The old farm house where he
had spent his entire life, the one ambition
Of his heart was to owa land, stock, barns
and a model farm. He had seen his
mother cook, churn, feed poultry and
drudge all her life. all the women he knew
did the same, and if Lima made odd mis-
takes she put willing heart into her
work and soon conquered its difficulties
Surely, he thought, it was an easier life
to be mistress of his home, with the Stan
ley farm in prospect, than to toll over
stnpid children in a district school. lie
had never seen velvet carpets and lace