Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-05-22
UNEQUAL PARTNERSHIP.
What Happened to the Firm of
Huntington 81 Wife.

wedding day. Never throbbed a happier
heart than that OF the fair girl who, for
saking home and friends, vowed to love.
honor and obey him, ''until death do US
part"
''She was the belle Of the village. and
ought TO have had her choice among us al, -
explained Carl Trenton, who, every body
knew, had been refused by the bride at
least Oxen times.
HE Is 30 bandsome-and rich, too, they
say. Really, Nell Alden has done remark
ably WE'LL" said more than one envious
maiden.
Ray Huntington, although ne was not a
rlch man, was advancing rapidly on the
road TO wealth AS he was lawyer in a
distant city, the welded pair at once went
70 the home which he had provided there, a
modest cottage in the suburbs, very plainly
furnished, but as beautiful as a palace in
the eyes Of the loving bride.
1--WE shall be away from the disagreeable
noise and hustle, dearest" said Ray, I'M
easily. II can lunch at Roger e. Aliens.
and be home for an early tea, except, per-
haps, in very busy seasons. Besides, get
this place at bargain-it costs dreadfully
70 rent-and we must really economic i'm
every way possible. We must creep before
we can walk, Nellie"
II am sure every thing is as nice as it can
be-" said the wife. "It is much better than
being right in the city. am sure that 1
should be crazy in week, there"
II don't doubt it," returned the relieved
husband. "But you will not be bothered
here at all. l will attend to the marketing
each day as go to town, and we will have a
quiet home of our own"
That was the beginning
Ray Huntington's boosted creed was that
marriage was simply partnership of two
congenial souls-a blending of two natures
Into a perfect whole, whose thoughts,
whose aims, whose energies were one.
That was all very well, II our le-
gal gentleman had only lived up to
his professed belief. But, like many others,
he protested one thing and lived another.
While he often declared that man and his
wife were one, his daily life added most
emphatically: "And the man is that one"
Pretty, loyal Nellie was not long in dis
covering the fact, and, although grieved
that her exalted idol proved to be but com
mon clay, after all, she made the best of
life as she found it, and succeeded in ellng
out the scanty allowance, which was grudg-
tngly given, to an extent which surprised
and delighted him.
''it isn't every man has a wife like mine,"
he often said confidentially to a friend, but
never O word OF praise TO the toiling wife
herself
What wonder that the roses in her cheeks
gave place TO colorless lilies, and crows
feet" multiplied in the fair face, as added
claims taxed her strength and economy.
Tiny feet battered here and there, baby
voices made the sweetest of all music to
her mother heart, and added numbers
brought added labor to the patient, mother
hands.
Ray Huntington was recognized by the
world (by his world, in which his care worn
wife had no part) as a successful man. He
attended his clubs, and dressed in a manner
BETTING his station, while his wife wore
shabby calico
because must, my dear, you do not
understand" he explained, when she gent
ly chided him for some extravagant outlay.
at is quite necessary that one in my posi-
ton should do So heard it limited that
was TO be run for mayor next year. Think
of that, my dear"
And the accomplishing woman did think
Of the proposed honor-thought OF it with
added dread, as she toiled in the kitchen,
with no help except an ignorant Swede girl,
an emigrant, whose chief recommendation
was her patient love for the little ones.
Once she ventured to suggest an allow
ance for family use, as the busy lawyer
often forgot to order the necessary articles,
but she was met with indignant surprise
"Women know nothing about spending
money, Nellie, am surprised will attend
70 it. What Gretchen wants more money!
Wasn't It last week that i gave you two
dollars for herl"
Eyes, but she has been here four weeks.
We owe her five dollars now," Nellie be.
gan with crimson face, and went on desper-
alely: "Mother wrote that she is going TO
visit us next month. She has never been
here-has never seen our children. Charlie
must have new shoes and clothes. Baby
needs new flannels, and-this is the best
dress have in the world. You wouldn't
want me to feel ashamed to welcome my
own dear mother, RayG"
'How much money do you wants" he
asked, frigidly.
FIFTY dollars at least to make us COM
Portable and respectable" she replied, with
painful hesitation.
Fifty dollars 1 am not made of money!"
he exclaimed, even while his faithful CON
science reminded him that he had paid moro
than that sum for club dinner, the week
before, and paid 1t with a willing smile
"Here, this must do" and he counted four
five-dollar bills into her hand.
With ono startled, indignant glance, the
wife's hand shut convulsively over the
money, and she left the room hastily.
She will make that do" muttered her
husband, uneasily, watching her. Next
time will give her more, and really think
I will call at Blankton's and order one Of
those new silks sent up"
The silk came, and Nellie smiled bitterly,
as she laid it in the darkest corner of her
bureau drawer. Charlie rejoiced in new
clothes and real 'sboy'S boots" baby wore
new, soft, warm fannels, Gretchen was
paid, but there was nothing left to replen-
ish the mothers wardrobe.
Alas 1t seemed as If 1t was never to need
it.
One evening Ray Huntington returned
to ind his well-ordered house in confusion
Baby had cried herself to sleep, and was
still sobbing pitifully, while Charlie was
crying softly by the chamber door, where
Gretchen was vainly trying to quiet the
fever-stricken wife and mother.
''Oh, papa, tctp my boo'ful mamma diet
Say, papa, win she diet" walled Charlie,
creeping umldly to his fathers side.
Gretchen looked up hopefully as he en-
tered.
Il viii do it in moment, Ray" cried
Nellie, with crimson checks and strangely
bright eyes. II only stopped to rest for a
moment, riiy-ny head feels so queerly, out
win get your tea at once"
Lie still, dearest" be said, more gently
than ne had spoken for many months.
"tfretchcn. take tins note 20 DR. DAVIS, ana
call as you come back to ask Mrs. Hall if
she will run ia few moments
DR.. Davis came, gray-haired man, who
had read many Of this worlds lessons
Alright.
sOyerworlr. my dear sir. System com
pletely run down. ! have noticed it No
help but that raw Swede girl-willing
enough. but not capable, sir Men don't
know the value Of good wives until they