Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-08

her face as she thought OF her John driven
away from home by her ignorance and neg.
lect.
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 woolen dress, white collar and apron,
smooth hair, and a hopeful smile on her
face.
1t changed TO laugh Of pleasure and sur
prise as she opened the door and stood sur
veying 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 a cheerful fire blaEed, and
pair of slippers lay warming costly. A
well-wOrn dressing-gown hung over the
back Of the easy-chair, and the evening pa
per lay invitingly by. A red geranium with
a green leaf OF 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? l couldn't do
much at short notice, but it Just gives hint
of what | mean. don't think a tired man
will want to leave warm hearth, COM
Portable supper, and pretty wife for beer,
smoke, and cards, do your
No, indeed don'ti How nice it all Isl l
used to keep it so till got discouraged and
careless. l hope John will soon come, and
enjoy it ALL"
PUT the lamp In the window. and run to
meet him when he does come. l shall slip
away, and advise you not to tell him your
plan. just say you want to have things
nicer, and be your pleasantest self. Hewill
be surprised and pleased and fall into the
trap we have set for him. Keep 1t always
ready, and show a happy face, no matter
how tired you are; that is a mans best well
come homen
How can thank you? Tell me some
thing more | can do to attract John. Shall
have beer for him? He depends on 1t now,
and will miss it, Pm afraid" said Mrs. Mer-
rlI, holding her good neighbor fast, eager
for more helpful hints.
Give him plenty of we'll cooked, whole
some food, with cheerful wife to serve it.
and he will soon cease to care for beer, l
think. Try good coffee, tea and milk, for
drinks; give up pies and such stuff. Things
OF that sort create bad taste for stimulants.
Have your bread good, and serve up simple,
inviting meals every day; and John will
soon enjoy them too much to want anything
poorer" answered Mrs. Gay, hood in hand.
Il will try my best. l never thought food
made any difference. 1 can cook and I'll
faa Ahn aIx ~ lw
MY dear, half the drunkards We see are
led to their bad ways by poor food, uncom-
Portable homes, and wives who, through ig-
norance, seltishness or neglect, leave their
husbands open to temptation. The poor
men want rest, comfort and cheerful society
when the days work Is done. and home is
the safest plac to find them in. See that
your John is not driven away by any failure
on your part; then, if trouble comes, re-
morse won't add its bitterness to your share
of sorrow. l hear the gate creak-goOd
night, and God bless your cutting her lee
ture short and vanishing out at the back
door, as Mr.. Merrill came in at the 'front.'
His wife was SO anxious to play her part
well that she could only express her thanks
by hasty handshake, and then turned to
greet her husband with smile he had not
seen for weeks
Halo. how smart and cosy you arel Is
it anyb pdy's birthday?' he exclaimed. paus-
inr 10 look about with face that rapidly
changed from weary indifference to pleased
surprise.
Mrs. Merrill meant to obey her friend and
say nothing of the fear which had led to this
happy chang, but her heart was so fun 1t
would overflow in spite of her, and running
to her husband, she held him fast, saying
with voice that trembled with love, and
hope, and self reproach,-
Il wanted home to look pleasant to you,
J I'm. I've been 'lfish, careless wife, and
don't wonder you like other places better,
but L IN going to try to 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 mine"
Then she broke down and hid her face in
j hn's coat; but her tears said what she
dared only hint, and Merrill found 1t hard
to keep his own voice steady for a minute.
He understood better than she knew what
danger menaced him, and blessed her for
opening this refuge from the temptation
which was just beginning TO make its power
felt.
Il will, please Godr' he said, manfully,
as he laid his hand on the earnest little wo-
mans bent head. Don't blame yourself,
Kitty, when you have the hardest part to
do. hope I'm man enough to keep steady
and not disgrace my children. I'll quit my
bad ways and stay with you, for I'm tired
of them. l was tired of finding things in
muddle here, crying children, worried wife,
and all sort of it, but ought to have lent
hand and not 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 and cheered
me up and told me what to do" said Mrs.
Merrill. wisely leading her husband to his
e'sy chair and bustling about to bring In
supper, and prove her panitence by deeds
rather than by words.
"Ah, this is comfort! Beer be hangedl
Here's to Mrs. Gays health and long life tc
her!' red Merrill, holding uphis first good
cup of tea with nod and smile to his wife.
They drank the toast and kept the pledge
they silently made that night, helping one
another to stand fast against the mutual
temptations, and doing their best to make
home safe and happy place for both par
ents and chi .dren.