The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-11-08

Something wet fell on baby head and
he pressed him clos, ly to his bosom as
caught the sound Of her sobbing,
Il have heard of something new this
morning, Stella, and Pm going TO New
York by the next train"
you are always hearing of some
thing new" was her quick reply; but
what does it amount to n
IL am hoping for something better,
and think I've found it now"
He rocked Freddy to sleep, put him
into his crib, and then went TO the door
of his wife'S room.
"Are you going to kiss me good bye
Stella r he asked. II may be gone a
day or two"
No." she replied coIdly; you'll be
back soon enough"
But l might never return, you
know"
See if you are not hack in day or
two, with The same old story"
| Clarence turned quickly and left her.
She heard him cross the room, and knew
he bent over Freddy.s crib and kissed
the little sleeper again and again.
He'll come back before he's really
gore" whispered she to herself, going
toward the door, but turn in the street
hid him from sight He had gone with
out bidding her goodbye.
well. we have been married long
enough to be done with such nonsense
she said, by way of consolation, yet
there was a terrible pain at her heart.
She sat still till Freddy awoke, then
with cry of anguish she ran across the
hall to the nearest neighbo. with
Please come Mrs. Wilson. My baby
is dying"
Mrs. Wilson came, for though rough
in manner she was kind in heart.
He is in fit she said, the moment
she saw the child, ''Bring me some wa
ter and help get off his clothes"
Stella obeyed.
Hold hlm so, till run home and get
some medicine" she added, put ing him
in the bath. Such women as YOU Pint
tit % be mothers, she continued, return
ing with her hands full of bottles
Il haye so many trials to eear, Stella
moaned.
Nonsense, replied Mrs. Wilson.
"You have a pretty home 1t it was put
in order"
Pm used to better"
Young folks can't begin where the
old ones left off, They must make their
own homes
II never understood il so. My sister
advised me never to marry a poor
man"
And SO you kept finding fault and
complaining, when your husband is try
ing in every way to make an honest Inv.
ing, 1t is wonder you have not driven
him to drink long ago"
But my husband is good man, re-
Piled Stella, warmly, resenting the last
part of the speech.
He has shown himself to be a good
man"
The woman sail it in good faith, wrap
plug Freddy in soft ftnneIs and admin
istering quieting potion. She had been
watching the movements of the people
ever since they came to live in the
house.
My baby will get well, won't he p
was said pleadingIy, and the poor thing
sobbed again as it her heart would
break.
"Ycs, indeed
And You will stay with me through
the night ~ forgetting that she was one
of those peope."
I'd stay with you whole blessed |
week" replied true hearted Mrs. Will
son, # could make you wife worthy |
of your husband"
Tell me what shall do and | will do |
it illingly and without complaining
All through the long night while |
Freddy lay between life ind death, Mrs. |
Wilson worked over him bravely, and |
told the girl mother chapters in h own |
life experiences. There were passages |
over which Stella wepe bitterly, and |
when morning dawned, giving back the
child from danger, in place of the tickle,
unreasonable woman, there was one
ready to meet life's work with firm pur
pose and strong heart.
She tidied up each apartment and in.
stead of going about in dOwdy wrap |
hair brcomngly. and changed the puck
er about her mouth for her own rosy |
lips.
: You're pretty little thing" Mrs.
Wilson told her when she had fastened |
knot of blue ribbon in her air. See
after baby now. I'll look in every now
and then through the day, and to night
I'll come back to you. Your husband
will he here tomorrow morning.
Yes" Stella replied, with a bright |
look IN heT eyes ne " De DeIe Oy zen |
o'clock
After alt, it was long time to wait,
she thought. She was SO impatient to
tel him-and she would kiss him as
MANY times as he wished.
YES, indeed she exclaimed joyful
~, bending over Freddy's crib, well
kiss papa hundred thousand times,
won't we dear =
Il do wish Clarence would come" she |
kept saying next morning. What de-
taius HIM 2" she continued. when the
clock was on the stroke of twelve. |
What it"-and her heart lay ike lead |
in her bosom as she recalled the look |
she last saw on his fsce--''what if he |
never comes back 2" she murmured, &C |
ing into her own room. Mrs. Wilson,
she called, where is my husband 2
In an instant the dear, good soul was
beside her, resting hand tenderly on
the aching head. TruC-hearted woman
She shrank from saying 1t had been a
dreadful night on the Sound, and that a
steamer had ccllided with The New York
boat. Her husband Travelled by boat, ,"
had been her conclusion.
Stella caught at her arm, the sound Of
her voice answering Freddy, and with
,, cry she fell Poor, tired, inexperienced
wife and mother ! Was the oideal so or
dered With the help of neighbor Mrs.
Wilson laid her on the bed.
Run for the DOCTOR she sail tn Miss
Williams.
'But you don't krow-'
Il do" she interrupted. Mrs. Hen
shaw will have run of nervous fever
and whether her husband is dead or
alive, | cannot say
When ella opened her eyes again it
WAS nearly night. She knew no one
about the bed, but talked to Clarence
aud Freddy, AMI Sister Belle, She was
going TO help her husband now. She
could earn money by teaching music or
painting, ''or might have few pupils
in danciag," she added. but forgive
me for striking" and her arms were
pu up as If TO cl,sp something, when
she doz d again.
Late that evening Clarence came in
: sight of hume. Contrary to Mrs VII
sons conf clure, he came by different
route. lie had thought TO telegraph
tut Stella won't worry" he said, ''if |
am late" The light faded from his ey es
and his face turned ghost white when
he looked into the rooms.
Both gone y he groaned, walking
from the bed to the couch.
mo. no" Mrs. Wilson said comfort
ingly. "Babys better, and your wife
will come out Of tbis Al. she needs is
good nursing, and that she shall have, y
turning aside her head and drying her
eyes With the corner of her apron.
What coil we do / such rs she were
not g: ationed al along the walks of life I
- F,,I 80 Iiata . m, q. ,I1 oIly