The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-12-02

THE TURNING POINT.
=" Now, Donald, I doubt but you are
fooling. No wife would do that for q
man, no matter how much she thought OF
him."
The young man addressed sprang up
from his seat.
"Go with me, James, and you, too,
Lawrence King, and I'll prove the truth
of my words. If Mary lie Brun does not
cheerfully get us up . supper Ct for q
prince at my asking late though it be-
you may set me down for q conceited
idiot"
"All right we'll 60. And if the mis-
tress does as you say, she's an angel; and
such an exacting man rs you are is not
worthy of her."
The speaker was Lawrie King, . fine
manly-looking fellow, whose face would
upon it the traces Of dissipation.
The three we're boon companions, and
had been since their boyhood. am sor-
ry that the innocent fun and mischief of
that time had degenerated into card play
ing and a fondness for the intoxicating
cup in their maturer years.
Donald LIE Brun was the only one of
the three who had married. As is often
the case, he had won the heart of girl
who deserved better fate. She was
pretty and Capable" as the neighbors
called it, and managed her dairy with
prime success. Her butter and cheese al
ways commanded the highest market
price.
Through all of Donald's excesses she
had never given him an angry word and
he had even now been making the boast
that: late as it was, If he went home and
asked her to cook fine meal for him, she
would do it cheeriully.
The young men were all in that con.
vivial state when reason has not her full
sway, and anything strange or improbable
takes the fancy.
They at once caught At the proposition,
and went with Donald to bis home. 1t
was some two miles distant, and they
made the cold frosty air ring with their
hilarious mirth for time.
Then Lswrie and James began to feel
uneasy aud ashamed at the thought of
their errand, and they tried to dissuade
Donald from it; but his pride was aroused.
He would not hear of a retreat, and being
the stronger nature he carried his point.
His wife came to the door. She looked
at him doubtfully, evidently fearing to
find him in the maudlin state which, alas {!
was too often his condition.
Her face frightened suddenly when
she heard him say in his natural tone of
voice:
"Well, Molly, here I am. The bad
penny back again, and two others to keep
him company"
At this rather ambiguous introduction,
Lawrie and James bowed shame-facedly,
and Mrs. LIE Brun said pleasantly:
" | am glad to see you. Come in."
"That we will, Molly, if you'll promise
to get some supper. I'm hungry as a
bear. Tell Jane to hurry up the fire."
"Jane has gone to her mothers for this
evening; but will get your supper.
"All right. Hurry up. Come, boys,
let's have game OF dominoes while we're
waiting"
AS Mrs. LIE Brun lett the room, Donald
turned to his friends triumphantly:
through tire and water for me; and un-
complainingly, too."
81 tell you what, Donald" said Lawrie,
the shoe ought to be on the other foot.
If had wife like that -"
swat till you get one, and then
preach" said Donald laughingly; but
something in his tones warned Lawrie to
say no more, and they were soon engross-
ed in their game.
An hour soon passed by before Mary
LIE Brun came in.
"Come, Donald, all is ready" she said
pleasantly, and led the way to the kitchen.
1t was an immense room, with huge
cavernous fireplace, in which some logs
were sending out cheerful light, as they
snapped and cracked in consuming. Sus-
pended from the beams were fitches of
bacon and noble-looking, smoked hams.
All round gave evidence of q careful, in.
dustrious housewife.
The table, too, was covered with snowy
linen cloth of Mary's own spinning and
weaving; and on it was dainty pre-
pared repast Everything was perfect in
It's way, from the crisp brown Of the cold
chicken to the pale green of the pickles.
Mrs. lie Brun poured out cup of fra
grant Mocha for each of her guests, and
then seated herself at convenient dis
tance with her knitting.
For time little was said as the tempt
ing viands disappeared. Then Donald
calling out
"Cup ps are empty, Moll."
And his wife came and filled them.
Lawrie was the most impulsive of the
party, and many thoughts had seethed
through his busy brain as he sat at the
table.
Now as he looked at the comely face of
the hostess, he saw traces of sadness, un.
derlying all its studied cheerfulness Of ex-
preston. He eaid suddenly, not stopping
to think whether or not Donald would be
pleased:
What makes you SO kind and pains
taking Mrs. LIE Brunr There isn't one
woman in q thousand who would do rs
you have this evening, and, to tell the
truth l didn't believe it Of you, or /
wouldn't have come here and sanctioned
putting you to 80 much trouble. just
wanted the fun of seeing Donald's boasts
about his wife come to nothing"
Donald's eyes flashed FIRE at this speech.
He half rose from his chair, but sat down
again, evidently putting q strong restraint
upon himself
Mary looked at Lawrie in surprise as
be spoke, and smiled faulty, apparently
thinking reply unnecessary. But DON
aid spoke up suddenly.
"spssk out, Molly, and satisfy. the fel-