The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-23
JOHN REYNOLDS LESSON.


"What is the matter, littleIwomanP
"Only tired, john"
Lima Reynolds looked up as sh
spoke, to smile bravely into the fac
bending anxiously over her.
"Tired, LinaP" he said, lifting tn
little figure as he spoke, and taking hi
wife like child upon his Knee
"What have you been doing to tir
your"
"Only the days work. Don't Wort,
john" for shade passed over thu
kindly face.
81 don't worry; but can't see wha
makes you complain 80 often of being
tired. I am sure the homework AIM
so much. Other women do it!
There was just little fretfulness in
Johns tone, though he did not mean to
be unkind.
81 know they do. Mrs. Harper has
four children and takes care of them in
addition to Homework, besides doing
piles of sewing. Perhaps, John, it is
because I haye not had experience in
country work and don't manage well.
1 will learn better after awhile. Now,
tell me what you did in town."
81 did quite we'll. Sold the whole
crop of wheat at good price, and put
another installment 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 l shall be q
happy man. 1t is the best land in
the country, 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 lit
tie 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 hereP"
"Spend money on this houseP" cried
the astonished John. "Why what on
earth ais this houseP"
81 mean in things for it. Now, the
parlor looks so stiff, and is always shut
up. was thinking if we had a pretty
carpet and some curtains of white mus
lin or lace and a set Of nice furniture,
and-and "a piano. Oh, John! il
could have piano!"
John Russell 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 costsp'
"No. Aunt Louise had one, you
know, ever since can remember. But
/ think if we had pretty parlor to rest
in in the evening, could play for you
and sing. You never heard me play or
sing, John"
81 have heard you sing, but not
lately" said John, rather gloomily.
"Oh, this was just humming around
the house. 1 mean real singing. I 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 finery and pleasures"
$50 did, John. don't want finery.
l don't want any pleasures but your
love, John. Don't scowl up your face
so. am silly to think of these at all.
There, kiss me and forget it. l am
nicely rested now, and III get your tea
in ten minutes"
John put her down with avery tender
kiss, and straightway fell into rev.
erie.
Lima Rivers had been district school
teacher in Scottfeld just four months,
when John Russell offered her his hand
and heart. She was an orphan from
but her fathers sister had
adopted and educated her in a life of
luxury, and died without altering a
will made years before, leaving her en-
tire fortune to charity asylum. Lima,
left alone, had thankfully accepted the
position of country school teacher pro-
cured for her by some friends, and was
life a hard burden, when John
came to brighten it. She gave her
whole gentle little heart into his keep
ing at once, approaching at their full
value his honest, true heart, his frank
nature, his sterling good qualities, and
cooking with the most profound admira- ,
ion upon his tall, strong frame and {
handsome face.
1t was perfect love match, for John
airly worshipped the dainty, refined ,
title beauty he had married. And, t
having married her, he took her to his
lone and, in all ignorance, proceeded
0 kill her.
There was no blame to be laid upon |
i'm. Living in the old farm house f