The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-11-23

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II must dear. I have lost everything I!
have nothing left to offer you, Helen,
but little house and five hundred dol
lars year my mother left me. My fifth
er's fortune is gone in the Corn < Oats
Bank failure. must work now, dear,
though have no knowledge. Heaven
help me, of any money-making art. And
my wife must keep my little house, and
help rue live honestly by economy and
house-wifely skill ?"
Helen was close beside him. Her col
or had come back to her round cheek,
her eyes were full of soft, tender glow
Chauncey had never seen before.
81 will still be that wife" she said, and
her voice had no hard ring, but was gen
tie and ctressing. 81 will keep your
little house, Chauncey, and help you live
honestly"
My own, my treasure, cannot ask 90
great sacrifice. We have played in
difference, dearest love, but now, when
we must part, let me tell you once how
/ love you, my life's blessing, my dear
est"
"You cannot give me up. 1t would
break my heart, Chauncey. 1 cannot
hive without your love-"
pretty well for philosopher :" thought
Mrs. Hunt. Il knew their hearts were
in the right place in spite of their nom
sense"
shs knitted quietly, listening to the
talk 80 near TO her, and now and again
wiping her eyes. After a time they
came into her, making their confessions,
as biushingly as ifnewly betrothed.
The wedding came off at the appointed
time, Chauncey having had an offer of a
position in large wholesale business.
Not even Helen knew how much OF the
liberal salary came out of Mrs. Hunts in
come, or how largely her influence with
an uncle controlled the eoffer. But the
same energy that Chauncey had thrown
into Cause he threw into his busi-
ness, mastering the routine of duty, stud
ing stock, figures. profits and contingen-
cies with feryor and enthusiasm and
coming home to the little house, thor
oughly weary, and ready for Helen's
gentle sympathy and petting. Yes, pet
ting. Not the weakest-minded woman
of Helen's acquaintance more systemati-
cally spoiled her husband.
His slippers and dressing-gown were
always ready, his dinner carefully cook
ed and served, and Helen ever ready to
talk, if be was not tired, or to caress and
soothe him If he was weary.
0ut of her own corps Of efficient ser
want. Mrs. Hunt had spared treasure
to her niece, so that the actual drudgery
of the house was spared her; but just as
carefully as she had conducted the affairs
of her mission and societies, Just so
efficient did Helen manage the limited
income, studying to combine comfort
with economy, and avoid waste, while
providing liberally. She did not drop
all her outside duties, but home was first
with her.
Two years after the Wedding day Mrs.
Hunt entered sitting room where Hell
en-, in low rocking chair, was nursing
tiny mite of baby.
81 was afraid you were not well, Mrs.
Hunt said. "You were not at the hall
last evening TO hear Mr. Jordan Such
splendid lecture! / am sorry you miss
ed it,"
"Baby was not WELL" said Helen.
"There there, donteeky, mammals
own precious / think she is teething
Hush, hush, tootsey-wootseyl Chauncey
says humor her too much, but auntie,
how can help petting my own baby?"
'Don't try, dear. All my darlings have
gone before me to the better land, and
my greatest comfort, my deepest happi-
ness, is to know that all mothers love
could give them was theirs while had
them. l would not recall one kiss, one
word of lore.
"Aunt Lizzie ~
This was after q long silence.
"Yes, dear"
%Whzt horrid little fool I waslH
When 1 stuck up my conceited nose at
the womanly woman, and tried to be
manly one. When talked as if Chaun-
cey wa: merely a felloW-worker in a
~Causs," while loved him better than
my life When 1 did not see that while
women may do noble work in public
duties, may use their brains for the bene-
fit of humanity at large, the happier ones,
if not the most useful, and those who
use their brains and hands 70 make home
life cheerful, to train to Gods SER ice the
tender young souls committed to their
charge, and keep from temptation the
little feet they are permitted to guide"
81 never thought you were a fool, Hell
en-. The work you did was noble work,
and there are many who will perform it
faithfully and well, having no other du-
ties to distract them. But am glad you
realize that woman can give her no
blest aspirations, her truest wisdom to
home, husband and children, and is not
an idiot, even if she spends hoars talk
ing baby nonsense to her baby"
do you hear that Miss Lizzie Mamma
can call you toosy-wootsey, precious pet,
and sing Mother Goose to you now with
clear conscience"
And just then Chauneey Brown, ex-
president, ex-treasurer, ex-librsrian, ex-
secretary to dozen causes, the calm self
possessed lover, the energetic business
man, entered hastily, asking:
as papa's pretty puppet better, and is
its horrid old toothy pegs done schins7
Oh, Aunt Lizzie, pardon me. l did not
see you"
"You are forgiven. viii leave you
to comfort the-vhat is it, Helen p
little idiot 2"
"Now, Aunt Lizziel" protested Helen.
"well, the future president Of the
! sWoman's Emancipation frem the Tyrsn-