Smyrna times., 1885-10-28

such harangues would have had little
effect on Mary, but her husbands con-
versatlon was an echo of these. SLOWLY
but surely money-getting and money
earning was becoming his aim in life.
Mary saw with alarm the sinking of his
spirit to this sordid basis, and all her
gentle nature rose to combat it, but so
lar III vain. One or two successful ven
tures had raised this evil demon, and
now Its hold was tightening, till the
manly fellow who had won her bade
falr to be miser. So completely had
the desire for gain taken possession of
Inn that he saw nothing of the danger
to his better nature.
The hands of the clock moved steadily
ON, and with dinner to prepare, tho
beds to make, the milk to skim. beside
the wailing infant to still, and the vet
greater task Of keeping restless little
M"dge out Of mischief, Mary was tired
enough by noon for bed.
Promptly Mt the stroke of twelve
Farmer Tom, with three hungry men
anncared The cloth was not even laid
for dinner.
What, late again, Mary ?" said her
hEShand, with a Light frown. "You
know time is money to us"
With the heavy child in her arms.
she was endeayoring to prepare the
meal. Tom seated himself in the door.
" Where is Mamie, that she can't
help a little? At school? Oh, yes, I
forgot; it began to-day"
Here, Tom, you must take the
baby If you want dinner to-day and
another thing, there's no use in nv
trying to do any longer without a girl
to help me-"
A girl, Mary? Why I don't know
where you could possibly get one now.
Mother never had help that 1 can re-
member Of. It's pretty expensive living;
then there's the moving machine to
pay for and another horse for having
Can't you keep Mamie at home to look
after the children? She might as well
earn her board"
Mary said nothing, shutting her lips
tightly together as if to keep back anv
words, and presently called him to
dinner.
Can it be that Tom cares so little
for me? I can toll and delve to bring
him in more money. she thought Bit
terly. Oh, my darlings, 1 could not
bear 1t if it were not for your sakes !"
she cried, straining her little ones to
her heart, the hot, rebellious tears fall
ing on their heads.
Farmer Tom was out in the fields
working like tiger himself to keep up
the tagging spirits of his men,
- never see sech a man ter work an
mako everybody else work too" grum.
Dled one man to his companion, paus-
ing to wipe his reeking brow. "An'
that pooty wife of his'n slavin' herself
to death because he's too darned stinQv
to git her any help. 1 declare for it. NV
Nancy don't work half SO hard as she
does"
The man went on with his hoeing, but
Tom, whom he supposed out of earshot
had not been so far ahead but he had
caught the drift of the conversation.
Can it be that Mary is working too
hardF" he thought, recalling her face as
1t had looked that noon.
Then the face of the girl he had
welded five years before-why. twas five
years that day-came before him. radi-
ant with youth and happiness The
contrast did not please him.
But all women grow old faster than
men, he said to himself, and then en-
1eavored to dismiss the thought.
Somehow it would not stay banished.
work as hard as he might That night
when ne reached home, Uncle Warren.
who had quarrelled with all his sons
had tale of grievance to relate.
You know how I axed nv son.
'oseph' more'n month ago for my old
clock. To-day he come along.
IN when l told him I'd have it if it
ook sheriff to git it, he sez with a
ohS-drawn sigh, Father I'd ruther
% home an find my best COW dead
han to give up that clock Well.
'ooty soon after he'd gone one of his
come along an SEE he, We'll,
randpa, you've lost your clock. Joe
Oxed 1t up an took it off som'ers. no.
ody knows where Jest to think of
avn sech mean man for a son, arter
Il I've done for him !"
The poor old man whimpered like a
hid, fOrgetful of the fact that from
ler early youth he had instilled it into
Is children's minds that "gettin' an
IWn' was the chief aim of man. Thev
ere living his advice now, their chief
concerning him being that
should leave them his money. The
d man readily perceived this, and he
I'd quarrelled persistently with each
fore taking refuge with his nephew. II
wing never to leave them cent of -
S property.
Tonight Uncle Warren's complain -
gs Jared ON Toms mood. Tho poor,
veless' unlovable old age looked more
rlorn than usual.
What was the use of that lifetime Of
wing ?" he thought "Only unhappi-
ss."
lie glanced at his wife her cheeks &
re pale, and her eyes were red as q
tn weeping. His heart smote him. q
: Come here, Madge," he said to his q
tle girl who was hanging to her my
'thers skirts O''
She held in her hand colored card
lch Mamie had brought home from 20
Mechanically he read -
words Whatsoever a man sowetb
t shall he reap" They stung him.
lat had he been doing? His con.
ence' already aroused. would not be "a
to sleep again. What was the oood l1I
boarding if Mary and the obildron
re not happy now?" sep
JDplp Wor.o,,s