Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-05-12

wondering why she don't do more than
she does. He ought to 60 to a tread
mill himself. And he never tastes a
drop OF liquor. nor wouldn't for the
world, and there's Nelly Gray's sot of a
husband coming home beastly drunk
every night of his life, and soaring the
life out of her. I'd see him drowned
before I'd live with him. And he never
smokes, nor ciews. while you can't go
into anybody else's house hardly, with
out standing over spittoons, or being
suffocated with somebody's pipe or ci-
gar. Dear me should die in a week
if had to live in that way. And he is
always so good natured, too, never gave
me cross word till to-day" but here
she broke down entirely. sob after sob
tearing away in her throat and threat
ening to choke her.
The paroxysm was too violent to last
long. As it subsided she dashed off the
tears that flooded her cheeks, wiped
her eyes, bfushed back her hair, and,
going to the sink, bathed her face
thoroughly. Then she stood a few
minutes as if gathering up resolution,
a calm, beautiful expression playing
about her lips.
The words of her old pastor had come
back to her all at once as she sat there
weeping. The words he had spoken to
her the evening before her marriage
'My little girl, you have made a good
choice. George Graham, your PROM
ised husband, is young man of excel
lent principles and good disposition,
and will do his best to make you happy.
But he is not perfect. No man is.
And you must be patient with his fail
ings-always patient. One cross word
leads to another, and that to another,
till by and by there's a quarrel, and
then good-by, happiness Don't scold,
but coax; don't drive, but lead. And
if you ever feel tired with him, think
how much worse 1t might have been.
And always remember that he is no
saint, but only a man; man mortal
and weak. Be 1t your work, little girl,
to make his earthly home happy one,
to lead him onward and upward to-
wards that holier one not made with
hands"
Dead; yet speaketh," she said SOL
emnly, as that long, earnest talk came
back to her. "And-and I'll do 1t
anyway. II he won't forgive, and if
he won't agree to begin again and try
it over, why-Oh, Inever, never can go
out alone in.o the world, and see him
married to another woman. Oh, I'll
never say another word, l won't. not
one, If he has every chair piled to the
ceiling with coats and pants, and the
floor waist deep with rubbers and boots.
L don't see what made me speak so cross
to him. I'll Just get girl to-mor-
row; somebody that can cook better
than 1, and keep out OF the kitchen;
and whenever he comes in, III take
his things myself, and take care of
them. What must he have thought of
me. to hear me say such dreadful
thingsI"
And filling up the stove with coal,
draining the water off the vegetables,
and leaving the oven door open, she ran
up stairs and put on her sacque and
bonnet, seized her muff and gloves,
and locking the door after her, went
out.
It was bitter cold, but she did not
mind it. The wind was driving the
sleet right into her face, but she only
drew the thick veil closer over her
swollen eyes and hurried on. 1t was
slippery as glass, but her gathered feet
ran along as if sharp shod. She had
but one thought; to see George again,
tell him how very sorry she was, and
bring him back to dinner.
With shout and ''hurrah," lit
tie fellow came coastlng down one OF
the cross streets Just as she had set her
foot on the curb stone. The sled
whirled, Zigzagged a moment, and then
ran her down. She screamed involun-
tarily, and, as she fell, put out her
hands imploripgly. Some one clasped
them, tightly a brief spell, and then
gently assisted her to her feet. Some
one spoke kindly to her. Some one said
kindly, tenderly, lovingly. ''Are you
much hurt, Susie 2" Some one drew
aside her veil. Some one looked pity
ingIy into her eyes. Who was it, think
you?
SO, George! I'm so glad you hap
pened here. 1 was going down to the
office after you l''
"Were you, SUSIE And Twas CON-
ing up to the house to see you ~
He looked about him Hw seconds.
and then said, meaningly, "Just half
wav and we met"
The next minute he was tucking her
little hand under his elbow and guiding
her back home, walking slowly, eau
tiously, and asking at every few steps,
''lf she was sure she were not much
hurt" and adding, ''he'd send the lit
tie rascal to jail If she were," to all OF
which she said earnestly, 'Not any,
hardly; only frightened a little; he
wasn't to blame for the sled turning:
I'm so glad we met"
Inside the front door before hardly
the lock had sprung, he caught her to
his heart and as he held her In the
warm, close embrace, he kissed her
passionately.
"What did you think Of me, George,
scolding you as 1 did; if you knew how
| cried afterwards"
But 1 plagued you dreadfully, L
know, Susie. You're so neat, and I'm
such careless scamp"
.'It was l who plagued you, George.
I've no business to ce so neat as to
make myself a fussy, cross old thing,
and 1 won't any more. won't say
one word, George, if you turn the house
topsy-turvy every time you come In.
Oh, George, to think of our quarreling
so before we've been married a year ~
"And you running away to leave me
here alone. o, Susie, L should have
run after you before morning."
"It was awful-the way we talked To
each other-can you ever forgive mep'
..Yes, indeed; forgave you ten
times after reached the office; though,
gong down there, Susie, did wish,
almost. that you were little sloyen,