Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-22
MR.. FRANKLIN'S LESSON.
A. z. n.

"Money! Money! Always money;
growled the husband. Gone would think
I were made of money. What in the
world do you want of it? 1t was only
week before last that [ gave you twenty
dollars"
(Which was the first you had given me
for nearly three months, Edward, gently
reminded his wife, "and had to pay for
my fall sack and bonnet out of it. Now
need a new dress, and Minnie must have
new stockings and shoes, and some other
things"
81 don't see what you want of another
dress-yOu had one last winter as
for that child, she wears out more shoe
leather in three months than [ do in
year." snapped Mr.. Franklin, swallowing
his hot coffee with a gulp, and hastily
rising from the table.
Mrs. Franklin made no response to this
Outburst, though her cheeks grew red, and
her patient eyes filled with tears.
"Wen there!" said her husband, turn
ing his back while he opened a well filled
pocket-book. II suppose you must have
it, or theren be no living with you. Here!
ungraciously thrusting out bill. 81 do
hope you won't call upon me again for a
month. How you manage to spend SO
much is more than can tell"
Mrs. Franklin bit her lip, but accepted
the money in silence, for it was urgently
needed.
"Can't even thank mefor it, L suppose"
growled the husband.
''Indeed L do, Edward. But you know
Inever ask you for any unless it is alb
sOlutely necessary"
"That'S what women always say" NUT
tered he, putting on his handsome new
oVercoat. So ''Think they want eveSxthing
they see. Never contented unless they
can dress better than their neighbors."
Mrs. Franklin glanced down at the
well-preserved gown she was wearing,
and as she did'so, for the first time no.
ticed the denomination of the bill she
held.
''Why, Edward!' she exclaimed in sur
prise, did you know this was only
tent"
''Have to make it dor' called Mr..
Franklin, as he made a hasty exit, slam
ming the front door after him.
When he was fairly out of the house,
his wife had a nervous Httleery, all to
heaself
Why will man make such favor of
giving his wife a little money, when
once he esteemed it a precious privilege
to be allowed to provide for her?
linen a sweet, Childish voice T6dCnSO
the mothers ear, and wiping away the
tears, she ran up stairs to her little
one.
Minnie Franklin was about three years
old, and was, ordinarily, lovely speci-
men of healthy childhood. But this
morning the roses in her cheeks were
too deep to be entirely natural, and the
eyes had a strangeloOk, while the chubby,
dimpled hands, that pressed mammals
cheek so lovingly, were burning hot.
The little one had sleptlater than usual,
and was not yet dressed.
''Pese don't dess me, Use so tired" she
mOaned, as her mother lifted her from
her crib. So, with a shiver of apprehen-
sion, Mrs. Franklin wrapped her darling
IN a blanket shawl, and, regardless of the
thousand and one things below demand
ing her attention, seated herself in a
rocking chair, and soOthed the child to
rest.
But her sleep was the uneasy, fitful
slumber of sickness, not the healthy
sleep of childhood and as the morning
wore on, the frightened mother could
see that her baby was rapidly growing
worse.
So sho despatched the hired girl first
for physician, bidding her then 90 to
1t seemed ages to the anxious watcher
ere tee doctor arrived.
A moments examination of the little
sufferer, and the dread verdict, Scarlet
fever in its worst form" fell from his
lips.
EBut there is hope? Oh, don't tell me
there is noner' moaned the now frantic
mother.
"My dear madam, while there is life
there is hope. But it is a terrible dis
ease. Good nursing will do much for the
little one, and that 1 am sure she will
have" with courteous bow, and part
ing caution as to the administering of the
medicines, the good man departed.
For brief moment Mrs. Franklin gave
way to her grief. Then the necessity
for action reused her from the stupor of
despair which was overwhelming her, and
she nerved herself to meet the present
duty.
Minutes that seemed hours wore away
then Mr.. Franklin's well-known tread
was heard ascending the stairs. 1t was
welcome sound. The scene of the morn
ing was forgotten-"Oh, Edwardr she
mOaned.
''What ails herr" he demanded, in low,
frightened tones.
Scarlet feYerr'
His face bIanched. Very tenderIy he
held out his arms to receive the precious
burden, bidding his weary wife lie down
awhile.
During the days and nights of anxiety
which followed, Mr.. Franklin could not
be made to leave his pet. Even when,
worn out, he would throw himself down
for a brief rest, he would not go out of
the room. His life seemed dependent
upon that of the being, who, when in
health, had sometimes been regarded as
a great care and expense. He had not
known how much he loved the child, until
now, and in desperation he prayed for
her recovery.
But ere week had passed, Minnie re-
turned to that bright home among the