The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-01-03

judgment, Clara hasn't enough vitality
left to take her through another year O.
hard work. l haye interests at heart
and would not needlessly arouse YOU
fears; but am convinced that youi
wife is wearing ont. She must reS
from this constant labor, or your children
will soon be mothorless.
Don't, Martha, talk in that way
Clara is as well rs usual. She was al.
ways slender and delicate. I'd gladly
have Kept her in case, but she knew that
she married a poor man, aud was will
ling to work up"
He was a little annoyed.
81 doubt not you haye been kind and
coed to her, and now that she has helped
work mp 50 far. l know you Will be
glad to give her vacation. You do
not reNlizs what it Is to care for three
children and do all the work that must
be done in a farm house She might
have been slender when q girl, but not
careworn. To night you will look at
one Of her old pictures, you will be con-
vinced that l am right"
suppose am -wELt then?'
'How much would it cost to send her
back to Ohio for the wintel? 1 can keep
house,
"Simply out of the question. She
wouldn't 60 anyhow, MARTHA"
II tLOugbt you didn't know it; but
she is os homesick AS child to see her
father and mother. She husut said So,
she never complains, but AN unutterable
longing fills her eyes, and quick tears
when she speaks of them. Sure of yorr
consent and my willingness to keep
house for her, she would 60 gladly
And you think it would do ler good!'
"Undoubtedly. and it would be the
cheapest medicine you could give her
and the sure't. Think it oyer day OF
SO, Nathan
That evening Martha was not sur.
prised TO see startled. anxious look on
her brothers face, as be closely regarded
his wife, whenever he thought himself
upobssryed Husbands are often the
Uliudest of all persons in regard 10 THEN
wives, but Nathan was conyinced.
That night when they were alone, he
suddenly exclaimed:
"Clsra, how would you like to visi
your mother this ftll?'
She looked at him moment in silence
while a wave of crimson swept over heI
pale face, Then, turning away, she sale
brokenly'
Don't talk about it, Nat; know VIZ
can't afford it, and I'd rather not spaai
of it."
But we can afford it. and Martha il
willing 10 keep house for me. Now, dc
you want to 60, dear?"
There was an unconscious tone of re-
proach in his voice, and look of pair
on his face, which she could not under
stand.
"Oh, Nathan! sne soDoed, with hei
face hidden on his shoul ier, don't i'm.
ngine that | love you any the less, or am
tired of our little home; bu! do want to
go. just now there is nothing in the
world want SO much as TO see my faith,
er and mother"
"Well, then, you shall 60, little wife.
Don't cry soi didn't know you cared
so much; but that settles it, you shall
60"
After Mrs. Tracy and the baby we're
gone, Martha looked round the unorna.
mented rooms aul resolved that there
should be something new, something
bright and pretty, 10 welcome back the
home.keeper. The front room" had
never been furnished, but after consid.
ering her resources, Martha thought she
could manage it, ii she could persuade
Nathan into buying a carpet.
"a carpet? why, Martial he exclaim-
ed, too astonlshcd to say more.
"What was Clara's old home like;
You dolt want her 10 notice too sharp
a contrast on her return" said the sis,
ter, quietly.
II may get a carpet thoughtfullY
but so many other things would HAYS to
follow
Nat, when father aud mother died,
We were going to divide things, but ycu
had no home then, and while John aud
I stayed, every ythiug remained the same,
When l came here, sold or packed
everything, aud there is big box for
you, which is on the way out here. BE,
sides bedding aud clothing, there are
pictures, vases, curtains, table-spread
and some of mothers nice rugs. They
will help to furnish to furnish the room.
l guess you can afford to buy caue,
seat rocker and two chairs, and Wen
make the rest. ~
"Id like to know how"
"lhere are two bottomless chairs in
the granery; I will ebonizs the frames,
cushion seat and back, aud with stripes
Of embroidery aud heavy fringe they will
be handsome. That old rocker which
is forever coming to pieces can be mend
ed and treated likewise. minus the roeA
ers, and youn have an easy chair
pine table, which You can make, stainot
and vanished, and covered with III,
spread, will DO nicely"
"Well, it sounds practicable. II
help all can"