Daily Republican., 1884-06-07

Cr2nU6rTy m0uuoz nohou ME' JoHos
ait is going dirt cheap and you can
afford it." The sam was named, figures
that astonished Mary, and she was
more surprised when she heard her
husband say:
at have half mind to buy it. I've
had an old bill paid in, and, to tell the
truth, affairs in the money market are
so squally, don t know just where to
salt 1t down."
No tears came to Mary's tired eyes,
but her heart went out in ono mighty
sob as she stood, dish-pan in hand. be-
fore the disordered TABLE thought how
cheaply she had sold herself, really for
her board and 81 a week, to man who
had promised to love and cherish her
until death. The beautiful piano sh-
had brought to she farm was never
opened, but looked like a gloomy cas-
ket where was buried all the poetry of
her life. The "elosed parlor" had
long since assumed the grimness and
mustiness of country best parlors, of
which in her girlhood days she had
made such fun. John was a rich man !;
and in spite of his marriage vows and
his glowing prayer.meeting talk, was
allowing burdens grievous to be borne
TO press on her slender shoulders, in
order to salt down. his dollars.
Had she not a duty perform? Ought
she to allow him to preach and never
10 practice Had she not rights to be
respected ? which were not by her hus-
band for, she reasoned, If he allowed
her to do what could be done by hired
woman at ~ week, then he rated her
at that price.
Widder Patch has had tough
time on "sail neigtbor Jones "she
is going to the Westward to Tom, if she
sells the medder, and Jane is going out
TO work. She tried sewing, but it
don't agree with her. Dr.. Stone recon-
mends housework, as it's healthy
business. "
"'Tis healthy business" chimed in
John.
"Now Iny wife is good deal better
than when l married her. Why she
never did washing in her life, un.
til she came to the farm. think
washing and general housework is
much better than piano playing and
reading"
so Isay to the girls who poster me
10 buy an organ better play on the
washboard enough sight" was the ele-
giant response.
Are you going to buy the cranberry
meadow, John 2" Mary asked as she
saw her husband making preparations
to go from home.
Yes-why ?"
"Can YOU afford il 2"
"We shall have to figure a little
closer in order to do it, but it is going
chnap."
"You will have to give up Tom
Birch, won't you, and do the chores
yourself?"
81 have thought of it, but Tom is
poor and to give him home is a deed
of charity: No, we will save some
other way"
How much do you pay Tomo''
Three dollars and bis board. And,
by the way, he says you didn't wash his
clothes. Washing and mending was in
the bargain"
~ think Tom will have to go, for I
have hired Jane Patch. She will be
here tonight. Two dollars q week l
am to give her. You want to practice
{ Bear ye ons another's burdens as
we'll as pre- ,ch from the text 80 will
give you chance. | will sit on the
cool piazza after tea with neighbor,
while you do the chores. | think the
time has como for some of my burdens
to be lifted. By exchanging Tom for
Jane you will have 81 week for the
cranberry meadow You say strong,
active Tom is in need Of a home he can
make one for himself anywhere. 1t is a
deed of charity to give Jane home,
and an act of mercy to give your wife a
little rest"
Before John could recover from his
astonishment, Mary walked out of his
sight, and, taking the children, went to
the shut up parlor. Throwing open the
windows to let in tn. soft summer air,
with baby in her lap, she sat down to
the piano and began to play a "Song
without Words" piece John had
loved to hear when he used to visit her
in her home where she was q petted
girl. The song crept ont through the
open windows and around to John as he
sat on the porch, and memory compelled
him to give the song words. Not
musical poetry, but rather sombre
prose, wherein washing, ironing, hard
days at the churn, hours of cooking for
hungry men, stood out before his minds
eye in contrast to the fair promises he
had made the pretty girl he had won for
his bride.
Jane Patch came that evening, and
at once took upon herself many Of Mrs.
Clark's cares, and no one greeted her
more cordially than did the master OF
the house. Nothing was ever said
about her coming, and Tom Birch did
not 60 awav; so Mary knew her hus-
band could well afford the expense.
She told me how ahe helped to make
one man thoughtful and unseltish AZ
We sat on her cool piazza one hot Au-
gust night; and | was glad that one
woman had grit enough to demand her
rights. If John Clark had been poor,
his wife would have born her bur len
III patience; but she had no right tc
help make him selfish and Indifferent
as TO her health and comfort.