Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-23
Dales aud 9ketfhts.
HIS SOUS WIFE.
Continued from yesterday


Poor Gwin WINGED, for of all the shafts
IN Reubep's culver of abuse, this was the
one that wounded her most cruelty. The
sting of the words Law in their partial
truth. for she knew that her kind, clever
young husband might have made better
match. And vet she loved him so deMiy
and strove so hard to be worthy OF him
II vexcd her too. 20 hear Reuben speak
80 slightingly of Luke's invitations. for
as a matter of fact, the Young engineer
had sold the patents OF various small "a
bor-saving contrivanees for considerable
sums. Only in one case had he failed and
| il was hard that Reuben should seem to
remember that so much better than the
successes. Gwin delighted in her hus-
bands work, and rather than let him be
disturbed bv domestic worries. played out
all her woman's tact in the endeavor to
make il appear to him that the fault ind
ing to which Reuben sometimes subjected
her, even in his sor's presence. was mere
ly the froth of calm sea of understand
ing.
She little imagined. however. that this
view OF the matter was Reuben's own. till
one day TO her establishment neighbor
remarked:
..Old Mr.. Sparrow thinks deal of you
Mrs. Sparrow, doesn't hep He drops in
now and again and tells US what good
manager YOU are. and how comfortable
Won make him. He says you are wonder
fully thoughtful for such young wo-
man."
Gwen could hardly answer for surprise,
but the discovery that Reuben praised her
behind her back encouraged her greatly.
and she tried harder than ever to improve.
not only in her management of the house,
but in speech, style and manner.
"You are becoming quite lady. Gwen"
said Luke one evening ;whereat she flush
ed with pleasure, and Reuben gave a
grunt of dubious significance. which Gwen
chose to interpret as an expression of as
sent.
"Some day. father, III speak quite cor
reci-quite correctly, mean"
II hope So" said Luke, SO eagerly that
Gwen looked quickly up at him, and per-
ceived the strange excitement in his eyes.
II hope So" he repeated. drawing a
deep breath. "for believe | am going to
make my fortune. and that would be
llIt-up III tHe WORTH LOT Us al.
Reuben's face assumed its most skepti
cal expression.
You ought to be shrewder than to be-
lieve in fnrtune-making, boy. Nothing
but steady, straightforward work pays
"And isn't it straightforward work to
plod away at the elements of invention for
yearsp' said Luke. warmly; ''get to know
every discovered application of science to
SO as to be FAM lar with ones
tools, as it were, and then to effect origi-
nal combinations don't want to boast,
but my small inventions haven't failed
and am justified in believing my big
ones won't. have invented an electric
tram car which is bound to s,ipersede all
others"
"Ah, well nv lad, if the patent fetches
you the money it cost you, II congratulate
you"
Luke was accustomed to his fathers in
credulity. but tonight it seemed to affect
HIM painfully.
You must have faith in me. father"
he said, endeavorirg to speak calmly. ''for
| have made up my mind not to sell the
patent, but to work it myself, to do which
must throw up my present clerkship
and start an Office on my own account. 1t
may involve living on very little for
awhile. but it must pay in the end"
Lukc's face was tuil of the exaltation
which precedes from the sense of great
excitement-the look of the man who or
iginates, whether artist. poet or inventor
Gwen. with worshipping eyes, knelt be-
eli 1 aim, drs.t h 10 L.
shoulder.
You will trust me, little woman. and
put up with being on short commons for a
bit T" said Luke. smiling down at her.
Reuben's thin lips were pressd together
as he sat and grimly watched the pair At
last he stood up, pushed his chair back.
and addressed them with deliberate, chill
ling contempt.
Luke, you're fool Your wife's never
been anything else, so l needn't say the
same of her. But Tor man who has one
grain of sense. to throw up good place
for the sake of pushing rubbishy inven-
ton. that's what call the ac, of fool.
and Pm ashamed to have such fool for
my son. II you think I'm going TO spend
my little savings to keep you out OF the
workhouse, while you're waiting for a
fortune that's to be made out of a tram
car. you're fool for that. too. As soon
as ever you can'tpayup. wash my hands
of you, and quit the house. shan't miss
you; there's nothing your silly wife does
tor me | can't do better for myself"
Luke was in too excited state to bear
this quietly. and answered with violence
which Gwen sought in vain to soothe.
There was a terrible scene. and at the end
of few minutes. the fair edifice OF home
peace, which she had labored at so long
and earnestly. lay shattered before her.
The hardest time of her married life fol-
lowed, for Luke. in state of irritated de
termination to succeed, was sorelv tried
by the diatoriness and procrastination OF
everybody whose approval and co-opera.
ton were necessary to the bringing out OF
his invention. and Reuben was more cross.
grained than ever. 1t fell to Owens
share to cheer and inspirit her husband, tn
bear the freshly kindled fire of her father.
in laws vituperation, and to make hei
diminished allowance cover the most nee.
essary expenses.
At last the train car was given public trial
and from tina. day the tide slowly turned
Nobody hurried to take up the invention
but still the capital to form company
was gradually subscribed. and Luke fell
his way clear ard easy before him. A
steady demand sprang up for the Sparrow
tam ears, and the dividends rapidly rose
Luke was made much of now. and on al
sides manufacturers and spectators sem