Daily Republican., 1888-07-20

BIT ROYAL.
In the little town Of Hszing, in the
State of Minnesota, year of cur Lord
1886, month of March, happened all
OF our story that is Of any importance.
We are aware that this is rather a re-
cent date for any story, but for once
Twill throw aside the accustomed dates
IOf q century or two, or a decade or
two ago, and tell the simple truth,
with the hope that whatever enchant-
ment of distance is lost may be made
up by clearness in detail.
The spring was late; but at last the
sun and wind had put their heads TO
gether to help unburden the weary
sriYers and lakes of their loads of ice
The birds began to return from their
southernsvisit, and the buds showed
signs of bursting into life.
Everything seemed Joyous at the
promised change in Natures mood;
but Jennie Olson could not join in the
general happiness. She was the
youngest daughter OF a well to do
larmer of rHegian descent, and bE-
fore her marriage with Peter Olson
had never seen an unhappy day. Peter
was young mechanic in the town of
Hazing. When sober he was counted
a "first-rate" man; but, like many
sother "frst-rate" men, he now and
then INDUCED in too much liquor,
which made beast of him.
Jennie had fallen into a common
mistake, by marrying q man TO reform
him, thinking he would always do as
she listed. But alter the first short
term OF honeymoon had expired Peter
Ebegan to tire of home rule, and longed
for the familiar spirits of the town sa-
loon. Not that he had ceased TO love
his wife; but his was nature that da-
Imanded excitement and change, void
sof which he would become morose
and grabbed. Many an evening had
Jennie begged him to stay with her,
but he would turn away her appeal
with the excuse that he must 'see o
friend, "or that he chad little business
to see about"
The ''little business" explained itself
la few hours later, when Jennie opened
the door and Peter stumbled across
1.-THE threshold in maudlin state, muir
muring:
"H'lo, Jen, OIL gal-been sittin' up
l'gin fer met"
On one of these occasions Jennie
tried hard 10 hold back the sobs as she
cried:
"Oh, Peter, how can you act in this
way when you know how 1t hurts
liner"
"Does't hurt ye, little wife2 Didn'
knowt hurt ye. Won't never dot
j'gin. Bisness is bisness, struck 'nuther
IgOod job Tonight, an had to treat tn
boys on strength OF it,"
| Gently Jennie assisted him to retire,
Eamid his good-natured remarks and
limbeCile promises TO reform.
| When another Saturday night came
round, and Peter felt the weeks wages
weighing heavily IN his pockets, the
same scene, with perhaps few Varla-
Stlons, was sure to be enacted.
Things went on in this way until
their little child was born, which event
made novelty enough to keep Peter
home for a month or two. However,
he soon grew tired again, and returned
to his old habits.
The 0lsons did not reside exactly
in Hszlng, but in sort Of addition to
the town, which lay on the opposite
( bank OF the river. There was no
bridge near their house, and they,
with their neighbors, used the ice for
a "short cut" during the winter.
The spring was gradually growing
warmer, and the swiftest water, which
/ Flowed near the shore on the town
side, had worn the ice quite away;
and finally, those who cared to risk
crossing at all had to perform part OF
, their journey in boat.
One Saturday eve, as Jennie was
feeding the fire, and making the house
cosy in order to induce Peter to stay
at home, she was interrupted by his
lcalling:
"Come, Jen, help me on with my
buffalo, I've got to so and see my
partner this evening"
She gazed reproachfully at him, and
Reluctantly assisted him into his fur
Icoat; but she did not say a word
against his going.
Jennie was brave little woman,
land she had determined to cure Peter
in a way he did not suspect; and ia
truth she did cure him, but in a way
kshe herself did not dream of.
Il Her plan was to follow him in an
hour or two, and to go right into the
"Jolly Boys" saloon, remaining
There until he came away with her.
Now Peter was more moved by
Jennie's silence than he had ever been
by her tears aud coaxing. As he went
tout into the clustering March night,
he soliloqulzed thus
"Peter Olsen, you're brute, an
Iyou know 1t. Jen's an angel, and
Ayou're devil, and if you can't do bet
ter, you'd best drown yourself. Here
you are going down to 'Jim's place.
to drink away the money that belongs
to your wife-to say nothing about
leaving her alone, to cry her eyes out
lover the darling baby. Now you need
not think you can do that any more;
Iyou may have just one drink, and
then you git for homel Do you
Iheair'
Thus enjoiuing his bad self, his
good self plodded along across the
river, into the boat, and up to Jim's
place.