West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-07-03
IN THE WRONG NICHE.
How a Devoted Wife Passed
from Darkness to Light.


Halstead Swingcr, having tried almost
everything else, and finding nothing to
his taste, took unto himself wife. He
did not exactly love Rose, but he was
confident that she loved him. and on the
whole, he reasoned. the next best thing
To marrying one whom YOU love is
marrying one who loves YOU. Rose
was village girl fair of face. devoid
OF experience, but with "A great capacity
for loving She was the daughter of
nobody in particular, rs her husband
averred; that is, of course, he made
haste to add, nobody that ANYBODY
would care TO know or descend from
Nevertheless there was one creature
who presently took it into his head to
descend from this obscure nobody, and
that was no less person than Halstead
Swinger S son. 1t was a great pity that
he arrived at that inopportune moment.
Tor his father had Just come To the con-
clusion that he was in the wrong niche
as newspaper reporter, and that his
real vocation was the law.
The law" he said to the admiring
Rose, lis in this Republic of ours the
only sure way to distinction. Look at
the cabinet ministers, the President
and the foreign ministcrs-thev have
studied law, at some time or other,
every one of them.
But are you sure, Halstcad dear.
that you have talent for the lawP"
queried Rose, timidlv
Talent, did YOU say?-talentr' ex-
claimed her husband, pacing ND and
down the floor, rumpling his picturesque
hair talent, my dear Rose? Do YOU
mean to say that YOU doubt my ability?
Alas! and to this | have come. that nv
character is questioned and aspcrsed in
my own familyi'
But, my dear Rose demonstrated.
tcnderly, there is no one here who has
said word against your characters
there. baby dear?' She cooed sweetly.
STOPPING down and rubbing her face
caressingly against the baby's chubby
cheeks
Speech, Rose, speech. " he went on.
somewhat paciiicd, "is what moves the
souls of men. | have felt from the hour
OF my birth that fate destined me Tor an
orator. To sway great masses of men
by the power of my speech-that has
always been my idea of happiness.
But that YOU can do bv means of
ycHr pen, too, ~ Rose observed quietly:
for since baby had arrived sic was
afraid Of encouraging Hast .ad in fur
Their changes OF profession.
MY pen!' cried Mr. Swinger: "did
you say my pen? The living word lies
In the pen, and is henceforth but an
inky pen scratch. Must YOU reach the
heart Of humanity by reporting prize
fights and family scandals for the
Heck'y B0ss0OH ="
Rose made no further remoustrance
Tor she always, 40 heart. agreed with
Halstead in almost everything he said
1t was undoubtedly true that If he only
got into his right niche he would make
the world aware what a man he was
and hOnors and distinctions would
shower down upon him. She therefore
agreed. after an all-night's talk. 90 have
bim give up his place on the IVcst1,
BgSso0n and take mp the study of law.
she could take in sewing in the mean
while, and perhaps gct little writing
10 do for the papers. for she had a few
modest observations 10 make CONCERNING
things i'm general. and was anxious 10
get chance to print thom