The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-01-21
THE GOOD WIFE KNEW 1T.

There is retired cobbler living in
this place. writes an Angelica. N. T.
correspondent, who deserves the re-
spect Of his countrymen for moral cour-
age.
Ten years ago he was, and had been
for long time, confirmed inebriate
not periodical spreer, but genuine
soaker, warranted not to draw : sober
breath from sun to sun. Occasionally
the fumes Of the whiskey with which
he piled himself would clear away from
his befogged brain. and At such times
his mental equilibrium would wrestle
with the problem Of total or oven par
tial abstinence, to be utterly wrecked
at the sight Of his hannts or the first
faint call Of his system or the stimulant
which long use had rendered peremp-
tory.
One day, however, . halt was called,
and this is the way be tells Of it:
Il was on my way to the barn when
saw small snake In my path. l
kicked it with my boot. and It turned
to bit Of crooked twig, which | snapp-
ed in my hand and threw away.
thought nothing moro Of tho matter
until | reached the barn, when direct
" before me, . second snake twisted
across the board. With quick spring
seized it, and 1t proved 10 be whip
lash. A sudden horrible fear made me
faint and weak. sat down on the
lower rnng of the ladder leading to the
loft and wiped the cold sweat from my
forehead. Snakes, by Jericho!' |
exclaimed. That means business.
Then stared straight across at q
corn stalk that soon began slowly to
wriggle and curve. With bursting eye
balls and all the strength Of mind !
possessed forced that corn-stalk back
from the animal to the vegetable king
dom. and then l staggered feebly GU.
into the open air. l leaned against q
fence. and. for fear should see more
Of those horrible twisting things, ]
clung to = post and closed my eyes.
:. Time Is called, Jim. / said to my.
| self, whisky and you part company to-
day. and soberer than 1 had been fol
| several months, though with no more
strength than . baby. ! managed to
get back to tho house.
There was fight. though! ! didn't
tell my wife, for | had made = good
many promises that hadn't held water,
and / thought I'd 90 it alone for .
~,h:l.. <.0% -. -. ehn .,oc~.:.n. =. = ~ =,
> terrible night with the thirst OF q
chased fox upon me. Water wouldn't
quench it, and tried milk. crcpi
into the milk-room, slipped straw IN.
! to the edge of . cream-covered pan,
sucked out the milk until only the
cream was left, lowered smooth and
unbrokcn to the bottom. Then
| tackled another and another, until the
fierce craving was somewhat dulled
It was household mystery what be-
came of the milk. No cat could lay it
my wife said. and leave the sides and
cream untouched, and where did it go:
Il let them talk. for the struggle
was too sore and fearful to be spoken
Of. and went on drinking the milk
i 1.-The road from my house to my
shop lay by the groggery. When
left my gate in the morning took the
road. and on dead run, as il pursued
made the distance. | ran hard al
the way homo to dinner. and back
after that meal, never. in fact, trusting
myself to walk, or even take to thu
sidewalk for months. The cure was slow,
i keep all the brakes hard set yet
A single glass Of hard cider would IN
do the work Of all these years, but yor
can bet that glass doesn't touch my
lips while the memory of those little
crawling black reptiles stays with me. :
..And did your wife finally learr
what became Of the milk?" he wa!
asked.
"Yes." and his voice broke. Il told
her on her deathded.
Jim. dear she said. when hae
finished with her hand clasped in mine
Jim, dear. / knew it all the time.