Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-07-17

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John driven from home by her ignOr-
ance and neglect.
She did not hurry, for she was tired,
and stopped to kiss her rosy children |
and cry little longer before she came
slowly down in a neat wooden dress,
white collar and apron, smooth hair, and |
hopeful smile on her face.
1t changed to laugh of pleasure and
surprise as she opened the door and
stood surveying 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 fire blazed, and
a pair Of slippers lay warming cozily. Al
we'll worn dressing gown hung over the
back of the easy chair, and the evening
paper lay invitingly near by. red ger
anium with green leaf or two stood IN
the middle of the table, and gave quite
an air of elegance to the clean cloth, the
dish of nicely sliced cold meat, tidy plate
of butter, and the pie Mrs. Merrill had
forgotten.
The fragrance Of hot tea and toast was
in the air, and Mrs. Gay was singing as
she flew about the little kitchen.
When she heard the laugh she came
in to receive the much improved hostess
with the words:
"There! isn't that better? I couldd't
do much at short notice, but it just gives
| a hint of what | mean. | don't think
tired man will want to leave a warm
hearth, comfortable supper, and pref
ty wife for beer, smoke, and cards, do
mo. indeed don't! How nice it all
is. used to keep it so till I got discour-
aged and careless. l hope John will
come soon and enjoy it all"
"Put the lamp in the window, and run
to meet him when he does come. [ shall
slip away, and l advise you not to tell
him your plan. Just say you want to
have things nicer, and be your pleasant
est self. He will be surprised and pleasd.
and fall into the trap we have set for
him. Keep it always ready, and show
happy face, no matter how tiredyou are;
that is mans best welcome home
''How can thank you? Tell me some
thing more can do to attract John?
Shall I have beer for him? He depends
on it now, and will miss it, Pm afraid"
said Mrs. Merrill, holding her good
neighbor fast, eager for more helpful
hints.
"Give him plenty of well-cooked
wholesome food, with cheerful wife to
serve it, and he will soon cease to care
for beer, I think. Try good coffee, tea,
and milk for drinks give up pies and
such stuff; things of that sort create a
I bad taste for stimulants. Have your
bread good, and serve up simple, invit-
ing meals every day, and John will soon
enjoy them too much to want anything
poorer" answered Mrs. Gay, hood in
hand.
u will try my best. I never thought
e that food made any difference. [ can
a cook and I'll feed John as you advise,
J nicely and wisely"
y "NIy dear, half the drunkards we see
are led to their bad ways by poor food,
uncomfortable homes, and wives who,
3 through ignorance, selfishness or neglect
u leave their husbands open to temptation.
9 The poor men want rest, comfort and
) cheerful society when the days work is
y done, and home is the safest place to
find them in. See that your John is not
r, driven away by any failure on your part
Z then if trouble comes, remOrse will not
Z add its bitterness to your share of sor-
row. hear the gate creak-good-n night
l and God bless you" cried Mrs. Gay, cut
Z ting her lecture short and vanishing out
;. at the back door as Mr.. Merrill came in
> at the front
Il "Hellol" how smart and coy you are
u Is it anybody's birthday?' he exclaimed
pausing to look about with face that
u rapidly changed from weary Indifference
l to pleased surprise.
! Mrs. Merrill meant to obey her friend
= and say nothing of the fear which had
q led to this happy change, but her heart
= was so full it would overflow in spite of
her, and running to her husband she
held him fast, saying with voice, that
II trembled with love and hope and self
7 reproach:
y Il wanted to make home look pleas
y ant to you, John. 1 have been a selfish,
. careless wife, and don't wonder that you
! like other places better, but 1 am going
- to try and do my duty and make you
- love to be here more than at the tavern
= before it is too late. Forgive me, dear
and help me to keep father safe for the
=, babies sake and NINE"
y Then she broke down and hid her face
i in Johns waistcoat; but her tears said
- what she dared only hint and Merrill
: found it hard to keep his own voice
- steady for a minute.
3 He understood better. than she knew
what danger menaced him, and blessed
v her for the opening of this refuge from
i the temptation which was just beginning
]. to make its power felt
81 will, please Godp' he said manfully,
u as he laid his hand on the earnest little
y womans bent head. Don't blame your
IS self, Kitty, when you have hardest part
q to dc. l hope Pm man enough to keep
: steady and not disgrace my children. I'll
!. quit my bad ways and stay with you, for
3 Pm tired of them. was tired of find
Y ing things in muddle here, children
e crying, worried wife, and the rest of it,
e but ought to have lent hand and not
n run away"
"No, it was my fault. Don't say word
/ more, but come and have tea; it's all
; ready, thanks to Mrs. Gay, who came
e and cheered me up and told me what to
3 do" said Mrs, Merrill wisely leading her
! husband to his easy chair and bustling
' about to bring in supper, and prove her
:. penitence by deeds rather than by words.
] "Ah, thisi is comfort Beer be hanged!
Here's to Mrs. Gays health, and long life
1 to her! cried Merrill, holding up his first