Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-07-04
An Unequal Partnership.

ington's wedding day. Never throb-
bed happier heart than that of the
fair girl who, forsaking home and
friends, vowed to love, honor and
obey him until death us do part
'She was the belle of the village,
and ought to have had her choice
among us ALL" exclaimed Carl Tren-
ton, 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 well, said more than one
envious maiden.
Ray Huntington, although be was
not rich man, was advancing rapid
ly on the road to wealth. As he was
a lawyer in distant city, the welded
pair at once went to the home which
he had provided there, a modest cot
tage in the suburbs, very plainly fur
nished, but as beautiful as palace in
the eyes of the loving bride.
1--WE shall be away from the disa-
greeable and hustle, dearest" said
Ray, uneasily. Il can lunch at Rog-
er 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"
Il ain sure everything is as nice as
it can be- said the wife. 1T is much
better than being right in the city. |
am sure that l should be crazy in a
week there
IL don't doubt it, returned the hus-
band. But you will not be bothered
here at all. | will attend to the mar
keting each day as go to town, and
we will have 1t quiet little home of our
own"
That was the beginning. Ray Hunt
ington's boasted creed was that mar
riage was simply a partnership of two
congenial souls; blending Of two
lives into perfect whole, whose
thoughts, whose aims, whose ener-
gies were one. That was all very
well, if our legal friend had lived up
to his professed belief. But, like ma
ny others, he professed one thing and
lived another. While he often de-
clared that man and his wife we're
one, his daily life added most emphat-
ically, "and the man is that one
Pretty Nellie was not long in discov-
ering that fact, and, although grieved
that her exalted idol proved to be but
common clay after all, she made the
best of life as she found it, and sue
ceeded in eking out the scanty allow
ance which was grudgingly given to
an extent which surprised and de-
lighted him.
1T ism every man has wife like
mine" he often said to a friend, but
never word of praise to the toiling
wife herself.
What wonder that the roses in Mel
lies cheeks gave place to colorless Ill
les, crows feet multiplied in the
fair face as added claims taxed her
strength and economy. Tiny feet pat
tered 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 had no part-as successful man.
He attended his clubs, and dressed in
a manner befitting his station, while
his wife wore shabby calico.
Because | must, my dear; you do
not understand, he explained, when
she gently chided him for some ex-
travagant outlay. 1T is quite neces-
sary that one i'll my position should do
so. l heard it limited that | was to
run for mayor next year. Think OF
that, my dear.
And the accomplishing woman dld
think of the proposed honor-thought
of it with added dread-as she tolled
in the kitchen with no help except an
ignorant Swede girl, whose chief rec
ommendation was her patient love for
the little ones.
Once she ventured to suggest an al
lowance for family use, as the busy
lawyer often forgot TO order the nee
essary articles. but she was met with
surprise.
Women know nothing about spend
ing money. Nellie, l am surprised
| will attend TO it. What! Gretchen
wants more money! Wasn't 1t last
week that gave you two dollars for
her =
Yes. but she has been here forfour
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-never seen our children. Char
lie must have new shoes and clothes;
baby needs new fiannels, and-and-
this is the best dress have in the
world. You would not want me TO
feel ashamed to welcome my own dear
mother Raw 81