Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-08-13

a nelghDOrly lace appcatcu NJ the uo"t oio
dull, disorderly room where a tired woman
sat crying in the twilight.
The children arc all well and asleep,
thank Heaven, but Pm 20 anxious and dis
couraged that I couldn't help having a good
cry" answered Mrs. Merrill, wiping her eyes
as il already comforted by the arrival OF a
friend.
''rell me all about It," said Mrs. Gay. the
new conner, as she poked up the IRE I'LL a
little blaze frightened the whole room.
II wouldn't tell any one but you, and I'm
afraid I'm partly TO blame In some way, yet
/ don't see how" began Mrs. Merrill, lean
ing back with q sigh Of relief at the prospect
Of a chance TO tell her troubles to somebody
and receive sympathy II not advice.
IF the babies are all well you cannot have
any very heavy grief, dear. Butt know that
the small trials are often the hardest to bear;
so c0nfide In me, and we will see II we cant
make the burden lighter" said Mrs. Gay,
patting the hand that held the handkerchief
with such a CHEEKY face that her nelghb0r
opened her heart freely.
PPM worrying about John, and you'll see
that | have cause 10 do il when i tell you
that for the last month he hasn't come home
10 his supper half the time, but spends the
evenings at the tavern. lie comes in late,
and so cross and berry | can't be glad 10 see
him. IL 1t goes on much longer he will take
something stronger than lager, and L shall
be drunkard's wife,"
Here the poor little woman fell into sob
bling again as If her heart was broken. But
Mrs. Gays kind arms were around her, and
the friendly voice said hopefully
at will be your own fault If You are, my
dear, for John Merrill is too good a man to
do anything Of that kind unless driven to
IT,"
what will drive him? Not poverty or
trouble, for we are doing well and haven't
a debt In the world" said Mrs. Merrill with
an air Of honest pride.
1.-THE want Of a comfortable home will do
IL for him as for many another man."
what do you mean? Pm sure this is q
nice house, and | do my best TO keep it So"
cried the well-to-do mechanics wife, sur
prised and & little offended.
Forgive me, my dear, but | want to help
you, and can only do so by giving you pain.
Look around this room, and tell me frankly
IL it Is the sort of home q tired man likes to
co ne top
A '"ng pause followed this bold speech,
as Ms. Merrill looked at the scene before
her with eyes that seemed to see the clearer
for the tears so lately shed. The room was
comfortably furnished, but In the state Of
disorder which three lively children would
produce during the day. Toys lay about the
floor, chairs stood here and there, work was
heaped upon the sofa, and supper was
spread on q table In the corner. Not a
tempting meal, an untidy jointofco ld meat,
heavy looking bread, q lump Of butter, and
cold tea. The cloth rumpled, the fire uGlit,
the lamp untrlmmed, and the wife sat red
eyed and Respondent in her wrapper, with
her hair h~alf-dOwn, waiting 10 receive her
husband with tears and reproaches.
For the first time she seemed to see her
self in a new light, and after that long look
she gave a great sigh, as she said humbly,-
II see what o mean. Ii is hard on John,
but | get so tired, and he doesn't seem "a
care. I've lost my pride in things ami got
shiftless. How can | do better?"
'Ill show you. Practice is better than
preaching. Go up and make yourself nice
and tell me when you come back if thing:
are not improved" answered Mrs. Gay, witt
a nod and smile that seemed to lift the othel
woman out of the Slough Of Dependency
like magic.
Pm ashamed to let you, but will fol
Johns sake. If he will only come = ant
Mrs. Merrill ran away to hide the trouble il
her face as she thought of her John driver
away from home by her Ignorance and neg
lect.
She cid not hurry, for she was tired, an,
stopped to kiss her rosy children and cry
little longer before she came slowly dowI
In a wooden dress, white collar and apron
smooth hair, and a hopeful smile on he
face.
1t changed to a laugh of pleasure and sur
prise as she opened the door and stood SUI
veying the cheerful change Mrs. Gay ha,
wrought so quickly. The room was in order
the lamps Were lighted, the table drawn {
the hearth, where q cheerful fire blazed, an
o pair of slippers lay warming costly. !
well-worn dressing-gown hung over til
back Of the easy-chair, and the evening pi
per lay invitingly by. A red geranium wit
a green leaf or two stOoi in .he middle @
the table, and gave quite an air Of els zane
to the clean cloth, the dish OF nicely slice
cold meat, tidy plate of butter, and the pi
Mrs. Merrill had forgotten.
The fragrance of hot tea and toast was |
the air, and Mrs. Gay was singing rs sh
few about the little kitchen. When sh
heard the laugh she came in to receive til
much improved hostess with the Words
There! isn't that better? couldn't d
much at short notice, but IL just gives a hir
of what | mean. | don't think a tired ma
will want to leave a warm hearth, a con
Portable supper, and a pretty wife for bee
, smoke, and cards. do you?'
!, mo, indeed | don't! How nice it all is!
used to keep it SO till | got discouraged an
careless. l hope John will soon come, an
enjoy it ALL"
Put the lamp In the window, and run
meet him when he does come. / shall 81
away, and advise you not to tell him yol
. plan. just say you want to have thin;
nicer, and be ycar pleasantest self. He wi
i, be surprised and pleased, and fall into Il
, trap we have set for him. Keep 1t alway
ready, and show a happy face, nc matt
; how tired you are; that is a mans best we
!. come home"
= "How can l thank YOU? Tell me som
thing more / can do To attract John. Sha
: i have beer for him? He'depends OH it no,
! and will miss it, Pm afraid" said Mrs. Me
; rill, holding her good neighbor fast, Gag
for more helpful hints.
Give him plenty of we'll cooked, Who'll
} some food, with a cheerful wife TO serve
: and he viii soon cease TO care for beer,
. think. Try good coffee, tea and milk, Il
drinks; give up pies and such stuff. Thing
of that sort create q bad taste for stimulani
Have your bread good, and serve up simpl
{ inviting meals every day; and John wi
, soon enjoy them too much to a anythiI
: poorer" answered Mrs. Gay, hood in han
Il will try my best. l never thought fos
. made any difference. l can cook; and L
i feed John, as you advise, nicely and wisely
MY dear, half the drunkards we see n
, led to their bad ways by poor food, uncoI
: Portable homes, end wives who, through
norance, s~eliishness or neglect, leave the
!. husbands open to temptation. The pc
: men want rest, comfort and cheerful socie
when the days work Is done. and home
the safest plac to find them in. See iii
your John is not driven away by any failu
2 on yeur part; then, II trouble comes, I
morse won't aid its bitterness TO your sha
Of sorrow. l hear the rate ereak-goo
night, and God bless your cutting her !,
q ture short and vanishing out at tho ba'
4 door, as Mr.. Merrill came In at the front.
His wife was so anxious TO play her pa
4 well that she could only express her than
by q hasty handshake, and then turnel