Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-08-14

consent, and my willingness to keep
house for her, she would go gladly"
"And you think it would do her good?"
Undoubtedly, and it would be the
cheapest medicine you could give her,
and the surest. Will you not think it
over day or so, Nathan?"
That evening, Martha was not sur
prised to see startled, anxious look on
her brothers face, as he closely regarded
his wife, whenever he thought himself
unobserved. Husbands are often the
very blindest of all persons with regard
to their wives; but Nathan was convinc-
ed. That night, when they were alone,
he suddenly exclaimed:
''Clara, how would You like to visit
your mother this fall?"
She looked at him a moment in 81
lence, while wave of crimson swept
over her pale face. Then, turning away,
she said brokenly:
81 vt talk about it, Nat; know we
cant ford it, and I'd rather not speak
of it."
"But we can afford it, and Martha is
willing to keep house for me. Now, do
You want to go, dear?"
There was an unconscious look of pain
in his face, and tone of reprOach in his
voice which she could not understand.
80 Nathan!" she sobbed, with her
face hidden on his shoulder, "don't i'm
agine that love you any less, or am
tired of our little home; but do want
so much to see my father and mother"
"Well, then, you shall go, little wife.
Don't cry SO! l didn't know you cared
so much; but that settles it-you shall
go!'
After Mrs. Tracey and the baby were
gone, Martha looked around the unOrna-
mented rooms and resolved there should
be something new, something bright and
pretty, to welcome back the housekeep-
er. The ''front room" had never been
furnished, but, after considering her re-
sources, Martha thought she could man.
age it if she could persuade Nathan into
buying a carpet.
"A carpet? Why, Marthar' he ex-
claimed at her proposal, too astonished
to say more.
"What was Clara's old home like?
You don't want her to notice too sharp
contrast on her return" said the sister,
quietly.
81 may get new carpet" thought
fully; but so many things would have
to follow"
NAT, when father and mother died,
we were going to divide the things; but
you had no home then, and while John
and stayed, everything remained the
same. When | came here sold or pack
ed everything, and there is big box for
you, which is on its way out here. Be |
sides bedding and clothing, there are
pictures, curtains, vases, a table cloth,
and some of mothers nice rugs. They
will help to furnish the room. l guess
l can afford to bny a cane e-seat rocker
and two chairs, and We'll make the rest"
'I'd like to know how"
'There are two bottOmless chairs in |
the granary. l will ebonize the frames, |
cushion seat and back, and with stripes |
of embroidery and heavy fringe they
will be handsome. The old rocker, which
is forever coming to pieces, can be mend
ed and treated likewise, minus the rock
ers, and you'll have an easy chair. A
pine table, which you can make, stained
and vanished, and covered with cloth,
will do nicely"
"Well, it sounds practicable. I'll help
all | can, Martha"
"There will ottOmans to make, man.
tel to put mp, and cornice for the cur
tains. 1t will take all our spare time
this winter, but how pleased Clara will
be-"
81 intend is have everything nice for
her some day."
"Yes, Nat; but woman must have
something to live on in the meantime.
There's love of the beautiful in every
woman's heart, and it must be satisfied.
If surrounded by grand scenery, the
mind can feed on that; but here, in this
level, monotonOus country, believe the
homes should be very bright and at
tractive"
"There may be some truth in that,
but never thought of it BEFORE" re-
piled Nathan.
at is not common for the man to
think about the home as woman does,
for he mingles with the world, while
most of her hours are spent inside the
four walls. Clara had no time to fix up
anything; the baby was sight of trou-
BILE; but if you and the children help, we
can do wonders"
And they did. When Clara came home
four months later she scarcely knew the
place.
"Come and look at your wife," whis-
pered Martha, when Nathan had finish
ed his chores and was ready for hap
py evening.
There she was in the pretty room, chat
ting with the children. Joy and glad
ness shone through her face, which had
lost its sharpness and pallor, and there
was an elasticity in her movements
which recalled her girlhood.
'She looks ten years younger, Martha, ::
and if can help it she shall never work /.
so again. You've taught me lesson /;
I'll not forget. Well take all the CON-
fort we can get now, if we never get a :
big house."
"Martha has made it so pretty that We
sha'nt want another" exclaimed Clara,
hearing his last remark as they entered !:
the room. "I'm so thankful to you for !,
all this pleasant home coming"
"Martha deserves the thanks, for she
planned it ALL" said Nathan, catching Q
up the baby. c
"You are a jewel, Martha, and to think a
[ was afraid of you and dreaded to have t
you come"
"Was that because you knew L was
IN old maid?" said Martha, laughing. a
"Yes, that's Just it. l didn't know, s
you see, that you were such blessed
Did maid" I
THE NEW DISCOVERY. !
You have heard your friends and neigh
Dors talking about it; you may yourself f
De one of the many who know from per h
,onal experience lust how good thing it =