The Portland daily press., 1884-01-12
Mrs. Gays Hint, and How It
Was Taken.
BY LOUISA NJ. ALCoTr.

"My deal Mrs. Merrill, what's the matter9
Is the baby sickT' asked pleasant voice as
neighbory face appeared at the door of a
dull, disordery room where tired woman
sat crying in The twilight.
''Tue children are all well and asleep,
thank heaven, but Pm so anxious and dis
couraged that couldn't help having good
cry" answered Mrs. Merrill, wipins her eyes
as If already comforred by the arrival of a
fciend.
''rel me all about it," said Mrs. Gay. the
new conner, as she poked up the fire Till
little blaze frightened the whole room.
Il wouldn't tell any one but you, and / m
afraid Pm partly TO blame III some way, yet
/ don't see how began Mrs. Merril. lean
ing back with a sigh OF relief at The prospect
OF chance 10 tell her troubles and receive
sympathy if not advice.
''lf the babies are all well you cannot have
any very heavy grief. dear. But know that
the small trials are often the hardest to bear;
50 contide in me, aud we will see if we can't
make the burden lighter" said Mrs. Gay,
patting the hand that held The handkerchief
with such CHEEKY face that her neighbor
opened her heart freely.
'Fm worrying about John, and you'll see
that have cause to do it when | tell you
that for the last month he hasn't come
home TO his supper half the time, but spends
the evenings at the tavern. He comes in
late, and SO cross aud berry can't be- glad
to see him. Ii 1t goes on much longer he
will take something stronger Than lager, and
shall be a drunksra's wife,"
Here The pOoi little woman fell to Sobbing
again as If her heart was broken But Mrs.
Gays kind arms were round her and the
friendly voice said hopefully:
at will be your OWL fault if you are, my
dear, for John Merrill is too good man to
be anythl g of that kind unless be is driven
to it,"
What viii dffve'i1l'1iaa vt po.orly "a
trouble, Tor we are doing well and haven't
debt in the world,' said Mrs. Merrill with an
air Of honest pride.
''The want of a comfortable home will do
IL for him as for many another man.
VIVA, do yOd mean? I'm sure this is
nice house and | do my best TO keep it So"
cried the well-lo-do Ill chauic's wife, sur
prised aud little tended
Forgive me, my dear, but want to help
you ald can only do 50 by giving you paint.
Look round This room, and tell me Fl ankly
II II is the sort Of home tired man likes to
come TO -
A long pause folio ed this bold speech, as
Mrs. MerrIl looked at the scene before her
with eyes that seemed to see The clearer, for
the tears SO lately she'd Tne room was
Comfortably furnished, bat III tn state of
disorder watch three lively children would
produce during he day. Toys lay about
The floor, chairs stood here aud there, work
was heaped upon the sofa, and supper was
spread ON Table IN a corner. MOI a tempt
ing meal, an untIdy jJint of cold mean
heavy looking bread. lump of butter and
cold tea The Cloth rumped, the lamp un-
lit, the fire untrimmed, aud the wife sat red
eyed and Respondent III her wrapper with
her hair halt down, waiting to receive Ler
husband with tears and reproaches.
For the first time she -eemed 10 see her
sell in new IGN, aud it r. that long look
she gave great SIGH, as she said humbly:
Il see what You mean. 1t is hard ON
John, but get 80 Tired, and he doesn'J
Seem to care. I've lost my pride in things
aud got shlfdess. How eau l do betlerP'
''Pil show you. Practice Is better than
preaching. Go up and make yourse nice,
and tell me when you come back if things
are not improved answered Mrs. Gay With
nod aud smile that seemed to lift the
other woman out OF her Slough of Despond
like magic.
''Pm ashamed to let you, but | will for
johns sake. Ii he will only comep' and
Mrs. Merrill ran away to hide the troubl, in
her face as she thought of her John driven
from home by her ignorance and neglect.
She did mol hurry, tor she was tired, and
stopped TO kiss her rosy children and cry a
little more before she came slowly. down in
a NEAT WOODEN dress, white collar and apron,
smooth hair, aud hopeful smile on her
face.
IL changed to laugh of pleasure and sur
prise as shs opened the door and stood sur
veyirg the cheerful. change Mrs. Gay had
wrought so quickly.
The room was in order, the lamps were
lighted, the table drawn to the hearth where
Cheerful IRE olaz+d, aud a pair of slippers
lay warming cozy. A well worn dressing
gown hang over The back of the easy chair,
and the evening paper lay invitingly near by.
A red geranium with green leaf or two
stood in he mid lie of the table, and gave
quite an air of elegance 10 the clean cloth,
The dish of nicely sliced cold meat, tidy
plate of butler, and the pie Mrs. Merrill had
forgotten.
The fragrance Of hot tea and toas. was in
the air, ani Mrs. Gay was singing as she
flew about the little XII chen.
When she heard the laugh she came in to
receive the much improved hostess with the
words:
There! isn't that betterP coaldn't do
much at short notice, bat it ju't gives
hunt of what mean. l don't think tired
man will want TO leave warm hearth,
comfortable supper, and pretty wife for
beer, siLDke and cards, do you?'
mo! indeed don't! How nice it all is
| used TO keep 1t so TIL got discouraged
ana careless. hope John will come soon
and enjoy it all.
'PuJ The lamp in the window, and run to
meet him when he does come. shall slip
away, and | advise you not to tell him your
plan. just say you want 10 have things
nicer, and be your pleasantest s If. He will
be surprised and pleased, and fall into the
trap we have set for him. Keep it always
ready and show a happy face, no matter
how tired you are, That Is mans best well
come home"
"How Can | thank you? Tell me some
thing more that can do to attract John.
Shall have beer for HIM? lie depends on
II now, aud will miss it, I'm afraid,' said
Mrs. Merrill, holding her good neighbor
fast eager for more helpful hints.
"Givs him plenty OF weli-coQked, whole