The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-05-07


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 f~T
will attend to it. What Gretchen wants
more money! Wasn't it last week that
l gave you two dollars fer herW
ayes, but she has been here four
weeks We owe her five dollars now,"
Nellie began with a-cyimsou facet 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. Charlie must have
new shoes and clothes; baby needs new
fannels, and-and this is the best dress
l have in the world. You would not
want me to feel ashamed to welcome my
own dear mother, Ray?"
"How much money do you wantF he
asked frigidly.
"Fifty dollars, at least, to make us
comfortable and respectable" she re-
piled with painful hesitation.
''Fifty dollarsl / am not made of
money!" he exclaimed even while his
faithful conscience reminded him that ne
had paid more than that for club
dinner the week before, aud paid it with
a willing smile. Here, this must do"
and he counted out four five-dollar bills
into her hand.
With one 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 l will give her more, and /
really think l will call at Blankton's and
/ order one of those new silks"
The silk came, and Nellie smiled Bit
terly as she laid it in the corner of her
bureau drawer.
Charlie rejoiced in new clothes and
real ''boys' boots" baby wore soft new
flannels, Gretchen was paid, but there
was nothing left to replenish the mothers
wardrobe.
One evening Ray Huntington Returned
to find his well ordered house in confl-
sion. Baby had cried herself to sleep,
while Charlie was crying softly by the
chamber door, where Gretchen was vain
ly trying to quiet the fever-stricken
mother.
"Oh, papa, will my boo'ful mamma
die9 Say, papa, will she diei" walled
Charlie, creeping timidly to his fathers
side.
Gretchen looked up wofully as he en-
tered.
'I will do it in a moment. Ray!" cried
Nellie, with crimson cheeks and strangely
bright eyes, 81 only stopped to rest for
a moment, my-my head feels so queerly;
but will get your tea at once"
''Lie still, dearest" he said more
gently than he had spoken for many
months. "Gretchen, take this note to
Doctor Davis, and cali as you come back
and ask Mrs. Hall if she will run in for -
few moments.
Doctor Davis came, gray haired man
who had read many of this worlds les
sons Alright.
"Overwork, my dear sir. System
completely 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
lose them," said the old man, bluntly.
"You don't think-she-my wife
Nellie-win diel" cried the startled
lawyer.
"Perhaps not-hope not. But she is
worked out, and the worst of 1t is she
will carry her worry and trouble with
her through her delirium. What is this
about partnership, Huntingdon have
heard you define marriage often enough.
How have you used this partner ofyours3
Have you shared the profits honestly?
I'd like to have you compare accounts;
YOU will have time enough before your
wife gets up again. l suppose she has
mother9 Send for her at once. Yes,
yes, I'll be round in the morning, but
more depends upon loving care than upon
me; mind, l said loving care. Good
night, sir"
In the weary time of anxious waiting,
Huntington learned a new meaning of
his favorite creed. In her delirium Mel
lie told him many things which she
would never have mentioned in her ra-
tional moments.
At last there came day when the lit.
tie cottage was as silent as death; when
the dread angel hovered on the threshold,
then passed mercifully by; when hu-
man flower bloomed but to perish, and
tiny life went out with its first glimpse of
earth.
''Yes, she will live, 4" sai@good Doctor
Davis, suspiciously wiping his glasses.
sYou have learned your lesson easier
than many men do, Huntington, for you
will have your wife again. If you love
her, cherish her, man-make her happy.
She is your partner in life. She has com
mon sense, supposed Well, then, allow
her her share of the profits. Never let
her be ashamed of her husban~ manners.
am blunt ola man, but Hfean well.
have seen much of this 4 sided part
nership business among nnfried people.
Your wife has as much right to her share
of your income as you-have. l hope you're
not offended, but I'm glad l had the
courage to give you something to think
about. Keep up the loving care, Hunt
'ington, and your wife will be around in
a month.
That month was one of pleasure and
sorrow TO the repentant husband, but he
had resolved upon a new course of ac-
tion, and as they sat at the table on New
Years Eve, he said tenderly:
''It was kind of the mother to leave
Y 30, Nla TOO