The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-04-10
AN UNEQUAL PARTNERSHIP.

that which ushered in Ray Huntington's
wedding day. Never throbbed 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
ALL" exclaimed Carl Trenton, who,
everybody knew, had been refused by
the bride at least half dozen times.
"He is so handsome, and rich, too,
they say. Really Nell Alden has done
remarkably WE'LL" said more than one
envious maiden.
Ray Huntington, although he was nota
rich man, was advancing rapidly on the
road to wealth. As he was lawyer in
distant city, the welded pair at once
went to the home which he had provided
there, modest cottage in the suburbs,
very plainly furnished, but as beautiful
as a palace in the eyes of the loving
bride.
''We shall be away from the disagreed
BILE and hustle, dearest" said Ray, I'M
easily. II can lunch at Roger and
Aliens, and be home for an early tea,
except, perhaps, in very busy seasons.
Besides, got This place at bargain
it costs dreadfully to rent-and we. must
really economic in every way possible.
We must creep before we can walk,
Nellie"
II am sure everything is as nice as it
can be-" said the wife. at is much
better than being right in the city. l
am sure that should be crazy in week
there"
81 don't doubt it." returned the re-
lieved husband. "But you will not be
bothered here at all. I will attend to
the marketing each day as l 90 to town,
and we will have quiet little home of
our own"
That was the beginning. Ray Hunt
ington's boosted creed was that marriage
was simply partnership of two con-
genial souls; blending of two lives
into perfect whole, whose thoughts,
whose aims, whose energies, were one.
That was all very well, if our legal
friend had lived up to his professed be-
lief. But, like many others, he pro-
fessed one thing and lived another
While he often declared that man and
his wife were one, his daily life added
most emphatically, land the man is that
one"
Pretty Nellie was not long in discover
ing that fact, and, although grieved that
her exalted idol proved to be but COM
mon clay after all, she made the best of
lite as she found it, and succeeded in
eking out the scanty allowance which
was grudgingly given to an extent which
surprised and delighted him.
at isn't every man has wife like
mine" he often said to friend, but
never word of praise to the toiling wife
herself.
What wonder that the roses in Nellie's
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 the
added numbers brought added labor to
the patient mother.
Ray Huntington was recognized by the
worldly his world, in which his wife
ad no part-as successful man. He
tended his clubs, and dressed in man.
r BETTING his station, while his wife
IRE shabby calico.
Because must, my dear; you do not
derstand, " he explained, when she
gently chided him for some extravagant
outlay. ut is quite necessary that one
in my position should do So heard it
limited that l was to 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, whose chief recommendation
was her patient love for the little ones.
Once she ventured to suggest an al
lowance for family use, as the busy law
yer often forgot to order the necessary
articles, but she was met with indignant
surprise.
Women know nothing about spend
ing money. Nellie, l am surprised!
will attend to it. What! Gretchen wants
more money! Wasn't it last week that
| gave you two dollars for herr"
Yes, but she has been here foul
weeks. We owe her five dollars now,
Nellie began with a crimson face; then
she went on desperately, "mother wrote
me that she was going to visit us next
month. She has never been here-nevel
seen our children. Charlie must have
new shoes and clothes; baby needs new
flannels, and-and this is the best dress
/ have in the world. You would moi
want me to feel ashamed to welcome my
own dear mother, Ray2"
''How much money do you wantl" he
asked frigidly.
Fifty dollars, at least, to make u
comfortable and respectable" she re
piled with painful hesitation.