The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1886-12-18

myself. It's TOO slow for my taste. At
the same time, l believe in woman 60
ing to church. I've noticed the women
that 90 20 church are generally the be
sort. A nan can depend GA 'em. They
keep things straight at home ard bring
the children up right. A man can feel
safe when he's away having his own fun.
that they won't be running into any Of
the blamed dance-hall and bcer-g lrd n
foolishncss that winds up 50 often in dis
grace to a mars home. Oh, you boys
may sneer. l allow it may be all humbu@,
and too slow for men like u. But it s
dead sure; the women who go to church
are the steadiest sort man can tic to.
don't care how much you laugh and
poke fun. I've seen too many wrecked
homes and ruined lives grow out of pick
ing wives from free dances and inlay
picnics. There's too much nonsense in
it for me. If every marry sha'l do as
Jem has done-pick wife that goes to
church."
And he did. To the increased surprise
and establishment of his chums. the jovial,
rollicking, devii-may- care Ton, who had
all his life gone in fer every species of
llCC-tLu idu Va
parsons and what he called long faced,
church going milk-sops, more rccklessly
than any of them, actually married q
member of the Few. Mr.. Gracely's church,
a woman who was noted for the solidly
serious aspect Of her face and strict OBJ
servance of the Sabbath.
A nicc-looking woman, to be sure. and
steady, with not bit of nonsense about
her. A rare good housekceper, too, who
kept herself ard all things about her in
the very best of ''app,e-pie order" That
much was conceded only, as one Of the
boys put it, too laundering orderly! A
nice time POOR Tom'll have now. We
shall see him creeping about with face
as long as fiddle"
This proved mistake. So far as outer
appearance was concerned, Tom lost
none of his old-time jollity of speech and
demeanor, aud he seemed to retain all
his old pleasure loving disposition. When
ever he met the boys he was as keen as
ever to have good time; neither did he
fall into going to church. On the latter
point he remarked once in strict conf
dence that it was all right, and mighty
good thing for woman to go to church,
but too slow and hum drum for a mans
enjoyment.
Still, it came to be noted after awhile
that he was not exactly the old Tom. AS
the y ars rolled by and three handsome
children began to accompany their
mother to Sunday school, and who were
so neatly clothed and we'll behaved as to
call forth the admiring comments of all
who saw them, their father grew a tri1e
more staid and dignilied, as one begin
ming to be somewhat Impressed with the
more serious aspects of life; to feel that
man was made for something more
serious than an endless round of careless
froic. 1t was seen, too, that he was
more careful not to let the good times he
INDUCED in come within the scope of his
home surroundings. This much, at least,
his wife's influence had &C 'omplished.
81 don't 90 to church" he said apollo
getically to friend one day, "but it
wouldn't be the right thing to let those
boys OF mine get to know their fathers
free didos. It's all right enough so far
as l am concerned, because l know
when I've gone far enough. But it's
best to let tho children come up sort of
straight; the way their mother wants, 4"
y most admirable woman this same
mother had turned out to be, as Tom
very well knew, and no little he was
proud fher Yet not half proud enough.
Indeed, it was not yet in his apprehen-
sion to appreciate her full value. 1t did
not enter his conception that the respect
which had fallen to himself in connection
with his excellently- ordered home was
entirely due to his church going wife.
An especially sensible woman, too.
Albeit it had grieved her more than
words can express that her husband
could find enjoyment in pleasures which
at best were empty and frivolous, if not
positively wrong, by not the slightest
petulant complaint had she ever up
braided him or striyen by auUht save the