River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-17

not everybody could afford to
entertain. Another blood and thun-
der tale. more narrowing than the first
was composed amid tears and prayers
to God for forgiveness. 1t seemed des-
perately bad to Roses child-liFe soul,
though doubt if it contained wicked
ness enough to corrupt kitten. She
sat up night after night scribbling away
for dear life, needless of the pains
! which shot like needle-points through
her eyeballs The thought that she
was thus enabling her husband to per-
severe in his struggle against his enc
MES, that she was helping him along
the road that would surely lead him to
honor and glory, stimulated her fancy
/ to the boldest invention, and chased
her hand feverishly over the paper.
This time she received forty dollars and
more encouragement. But such h0r-
ror seized her, as she painfully deci-
phered the editorial compliments, that
she dared not be alone, but ran out in
to the street, and clasped her child
convulsively in her arms.
/ You win love mamma, even though
she is bad, won't You babyP" she
/ whispered, huskily, as she Rugged the
/ boy TO her breast.
/ but you amt bad, mamma; you are
/ good mamma, said the boy, with
/ conviction.
She took him by the hand, ana led
/ him into the sitting-room, which was
also the kitchen. For long while she
held him upon her lap, telling him the
most moral of Sunday-school tales,
/ hoping vaguely to accumulate some
thing 10 her credit in the dreadful book
of the Recording Angel. But the boy
! grew FESTIVE after while, and begged
/ TO be allowed to run out again. Then
! she was again alone with the terrible
| thought: Was she selling her soul for
the hope of earthly glory? was she for
| feiting her eternal salvation for her
| husbands's sake? All no! Goo was
good. He would not condemn her,
/ knowing how she had worked and
! struggled and suffered. She had only
4 to make one effort more, to persevere
a little longer. Then there would be
no more need of sacrifice. Then she
could afford to be good and conscien-
/ tious.
Halstead brought many distressing
1 tales when he came in the evenings in
/ those days. 1t appeared that his
enemies were redoubling their efforts
to crush him; particularly that I'M
scrupulous Mr.. C-was weaving
his subtle net, and had so far been sue
cessful in keeping every client away
from Mr.. Swinger's door. Poor Rose
was dreadfully cut up by the constant
repetition of this news. She was over
| flowing with sympathy for her per-
secuted husband; yet SO great was her
faith in his ability that she felt con-
tident that in the end justice would
prevail. She writhed under the
necessity of composing another of those
horrible and demoralizing tales, but it
was surely to be the last; because now
( that Halstead was in his right niche,
he would certainly get chance to de-
liver one of those mastery speeches of
his and then the rest was plain sailing.
When she woke up the next morn
( ing it was pitch-dark in the room.
why don't you get up and make
the tre?'' said Halstead. turning over
and composing himself for little ma
+ tullUdt SHObLt-
at must be very early" she answer
ed; lit is pitch-dark,
/ '.Stutf and nonsense! 1t is bright
daylight. y
He gave a snort, and slumbered
4 peacefully.
She arose cautiously, and fumbled
! for her clothes.
''Halstead, she cried with voice
that pierced through him like knife,
Il am blind!N
He stumbled out of bed, and stared
at her in vague bewilderment.
Nonsense, he said; your eyes
look all right; go and dip them in cold
water"
\ neighbours wife was called in, be-
cause Halstead did not know how to
make a fire. After breakfast he eX-
pressed regret that his business
compelled him to leave her. But the
Vaccinations OF his enemies demanded
on his part perpetual vigilance, if he
was in the end to conquer.
When he had gone, Rose sat down at
the window, and stared with her
sightless eyes toward the sun. She
sat thus for a long while, scarcely
needing her child, who stood gazing
wonderingly into her face. Mrs.
Nolan She said, suddenly to her
neighbours wife, Twill you 60 with me
to the city?'
'Ah, yes, Mrs. Swinger," answered
would 90 with yez to Purgatory if |
could give ye yer sight back,
I They crossed in the ferry, and found
t In IL,
had his office. After some waiting,
they were ushered into the great law
yer's presence. He was a tall, hand
some man, with clean-shaven face
and a commanding appearance.
We'll ladies'" he said, turning half
about in his chair, '.what can | do for
you?"
Rose took few steps forward, and
stood directly facing him. He observed
that she was blind, and a soft look OF
pity stole into his face. He saw how
pale and. haggard her features were,
andhe saw, too, that once they had
been beautiful.
81 am Halstead Swinger's wife, she
said, huskily, endeavoring to fix her
wandering eyes upon him. He knitted
his brow for q moment, and looked
| puzzled
Il know no such man, he replied.
presently. perhaps it is my partner.
Mr. Billiard, you wish to see. He may
know Mr.. Swinger."
She stared blankly about her in help
less bewilderment; then sank down at
the lawyer knees! ''Oh, have pity on
my husbandnH she cried, bursting into
tears. .'He is working SO hard to make
his way, and if it were not for you he
would succeed. Oh, know he would
succeed"
my dear good woman" the lawyer
responded, kindly. II assure you do
not know your husbands have never
even heard his name Ii there is any
thing can do for him, why, send him
to me; and if he is in distress, who
knows but / may be able to help himP
She flung back her head. A terrible
suspicion shot through her brain, but
she repealed it. ''Oh, You are great
and prosperous, she moaned, land
yet YOU can trample upon those who
are poor and unhappy. You have con-
splred against him, she shrieked, with
sudden energy; you have sworn to
keep him down in the dust because
YOU are afraid of him. because he would
outshine YOU. and YOU know it. :"