Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1890-03-29
Esther's Trials.


"Please don't complain so, George,
I'm striving to do the best | can"
THAT'S the way you always talk,
Esther. You are doing the best you
can, and still the bills run up. The
grocer's bill, this week is nearly double
that of last.
"Yon must remember, George, you
had your friends here to supper for
nearly week"
"What if had The bill could have
been kept down to more reasonable
| figures. | can't stand this much
longer" and George Winthrop put on
his hat and left the house, slamming
| the door behind him.
The disheartened woman he left be-
hind began to weep bitterly. 1t was
not the first time her husband had
spoken in this way. He wished to APP
pear good fellow in the eyes Of his
friends, but never took into considera-
ton the cost of entertaining them.
When the time came to pay the bills,
however, he would worry over them
and then abuse his wife.
They had been married year, the
first few months of which were very
happy ones for Esther. Now things
had changed Her life was a round Of
misery and weeping. She could not
satisfy her husband in any way. 1t
was not the bills alone in which he
found fault. The coffee was either too
weak or too stong; the tea dishwater,
and the bread nothing at all like his
mother used to make.
George was a book-keeper in a
wholesale house and received a good
salary. He might live comfortably
with his wife, and get ahead, financially
were it not for certain friends in the
club whom he would invite to supper
in order to have a game Of whist.
Then he would give little "extras,"
against which more than once his wife
protested, until she found it useless.
It was late when George returned,
to find his wife sitting up awaiting his
coming.
Cup yet, Esther?" said he, with a
frown. "Why in the world didn't you
go to bed !"
IL wanted to wait until you came
George. Oh, Pm so lonesome !"
Lonesome What makes you lone
some ? You don't expect me to remain
at home every night and talk nonsense,
do you y"
a do not ask you to stay at home
every night, George, nor should | ex-
pect it. And if you consider making
home little pleasant a waste of time,
I'll leave it."
ooh, you can go anytime you wish,
for all | care" replied George, lighting
cigar and stretching himself on the
lounge.
Esther's eyes flashed as she said
"And l shall go, George Winthrop,
sooner, perhaps, than you think"
You'll find living with your poor
relatives little different than you had
it here, my girl see if you don't"
off Ned is not rich, Mr.. Winthrop,
he is honest, and will welcome me at
any time"
'sGood enough p' replied George,
cody, putting rings of smoke toward
the ceiling. "In that case you'll not
have to walk the streets"
81 needn't walk the streets while |
have arms to work, Mr.. Winthrop, I'll
have you to understand p
"Work ha, ha, ha You'll take to
work in good shape after years idle
ness, Mrs. Winthrop"
The words panied her and the tears
came afresh to her eyes.
George, you'll regret your words.
I've been no idler. You know I've
worked hard to make our home com
Portable, although you insisted upon
having hired girl"
"Wish | had; might have saved
more in the end" replied George, with
yawn.
every well go hire now, George
Winthrop. I'll weary you no longer
I'll leave tonight"
"All right, Miss Flyup, you can go
the sooner the better"
Esther went to her room, packed
her satchel with a change of clothing,
put on her hood and cloak, and quietly
eft by the ba ok door.
1t was a cold rainy night in Novem
Der, and her umbrella afforded he
poor shelter as she hurried along, keep
ing in the side streets as much as posi-
BILE. An hours walk brought her to I
quart er of the city principally bnilt VI
with h ONES of the mechanics employed
III the machine shops and iron work
of the vicinity.
Nearing row of new cottages sh
kept on until the last one in the roy
was reached. She saw the light turne,
down, and knew her brother and siste
had retired for the night. She ascende'
the steps and raped upon the door
All was quiet within; they had no
heard her. Then she raped again
and finally her brother came to thu
door.
"Who is ?" he asked, peering GU
into the darkness.
"It's me, Ned" replied Esther, steE
ping within the room.
"Why, Esther" exclaimed Ned Cole
what in the world brings you out
night like this? Nothing wrong,
hope ~
"Oh, Ned, / am so miserable
George and | have had words"
"Well, l told you at the time yo
were foolish to throw over Bill Simpso
for him.
81 didn't know, Ned. George ws
good for while, but lately he hs
changed. He says Pm extravagan
and declared he'd stand it no longe
So told him I'd leave, and he sal
! the sooner the better. Here | am, no