South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1888-11-16
THEINTELLlGENCEs
/ RIDAY NOVEMBER l6, 1888.
The GROWING PROOF.

J.
Richar.i Irwin toilcd slowly and
YEARLY up two tlshts Of stars whiel
lea to the poor abode whose scaniy
fur n:,urc bad er wn still more scam
ty IS want aud poverty pressed more
and more hardly upon him.
But poor as il was, everything was
as neat as his pretty wife Mary's
busy hands could make it, who turned
upon him tie Same brave, Cheerful
smile with which she always well
coined him. though her hesrt sank as
she cav tie gloom sbroudin. lis face
It's no u,e, Mary he said as he
sank down into chsir. I've walked
the stree.s al, morning, and there's
no work TO be had men ere DIS
charging their old hands instead of
taking new. I've had no work for
three months now. with the exception
of an odd job or SO. Winter is com
ing on all my hard.earned savings
are gone, and w1at ia TO become OF US
is more than 1 knOwl'
IT. is always darkest before the
dawn, Richard
That's what you've been saying
for long time was the gloomy re-
sponse but the night keeps growing
darker. wouldn't care SD much il
il wasn't for you 'Hnd the baby; but,
to see you growing so pa.e and ho!.
low eyed, and to know that Freddie
is neither comfortably fed or clothed,
drives me a'mcst Will
'God is good, my husband. He
will not forsake those who put their
trust in h IN ami do tie best they can
Il some lines doubt whether he
cares much for what is done here. l.
don't look as if He did. There =
George StovCnS, who has got i:ch
th.ough frsud and Gx,orlion. As
was goirg through the market on my
way hcme saw N buying tn key
for TO mortow-to-morrow is
Thanksgiving Day that IS, for
aomo people. cont k Low what We
have 10 be thankful Tor.
i k3ow what | have most reason
TO he thankful for she sail. touch
ing her lips lightly to his forehead :,
that L am the happy wife It a man
Who never gave me occasi, 10 blush
for Kim or regret the day that made
me his
is this really so, Mar5p I have
feared lately that IL Was "a selfish
thug in me TO take you from a home
Of ease and comfort 10 share my hard,
loi;some life. You had many suitors
II. kr owing all that yuu do now, you
had the choice to make again, would
IL be the same
III would be the same. You little
know the heart of your wife, Rich.
ard, if ycu think have a shadow Of
regret. | only " SD could help you
in some way
'Y,u do hep me. Fit were net
for your love, and all it gives me,
he TT and strength would utterly fail
'See what nice dinner have for
you, said Mrs I.win, pointing to
some covered dishes on tie hearth.
i don't believe you can guess where
got it,
Begged it, rerhsps,' was the bitter
response.
NO, indeed! We haven't got 10
that yet, and, please God, we never
will. We hal only a crust of bread
left from breakfast, and tiat moist
ened with milk for Freddie. As
was thinking of It, and feeling trou.
bled at the prospect OF having no
dinner for you On yonr return, Mrs.
Aliens little girl tapped ct The door,
saying that her mother hoped I'll ex-
cuss her for sending some meat and
vegetables. as she had more than she
wanted for dinner. Mrs. A lien is tue
woman who has the rooms under us.
and with whose sick baby l watched
one night last week.
The savory dishes that Mrs. Irwin
placed upon the neatly spread table
gave forth very grateful odor TO the
hungry man, who, with all tho rest OF
his discomfOrts. was faint for tho
want of food. Mr.. Irwin arose from
the table with more oou rage for the
sharp onflict, the inevitable hard
ships that most people have 10 en-
dure in one form or another.
See how nicely / have mendt d
your coat said Mrs. Irwin, holding
the article alluded TO up before her
husband. want to 60 TO church in
the morning. You will go, too,
won't yCuP
Mr.. Irwin had his hat in his hand
preparatory TO going out again upon
bis almost hopeless GRAND. He
turned back. What foI?'
The voice was very low and rever.
cnt that said:
TO render thanks TO the Lord for
all his mefci.s.'
'POCr little womanl For what
will you render thanks2 For these
thin, faded garments, these re-
walls, and scarcely food enough TO
keep toul and body togetherT
No, Richard. For this: thai
health and strength are still contin .
ued to US that while so many house
holds have been made desolste in
our and, we are spared to each other.
Mr.. Irwin felt lis eyes wat az he
descended the stairs, though he did
not feel the full significance of ia, Sc
words until few hours later.
MARY IS good woman, he
thought the best wife in the world