South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-09-16

iiiS eternal.
The darkness had settled down
whtn Deacon Bates got up and wene
into the house. Ho had gone oytr
everything, had rcconstructed a..
fairs on u new basis and made so3-'
eral plans. He woald have no dif-
ficulty in carrying them out. for btu
word had ever been Law in HE own
house. IL hs suggested anythin&
|it must surely be done, and this not
on account OF tyranny but because
of the old fashioned reverence for
her husband as head Of tho family,
which Mrs. Bates had always main4
tanned, and instilled into the minds
OF her children. FEATHER knows
best, was her unyarying decision.
II was not like Deacon Bates to
say much about his good resolu-
tons, but 10 proceed to put them ID
practice rs rapidly al possible.
There was no light in tho sitting
room when he entered but that OF
the moon which streamed in at the
long window. He thought the room
was empty till he caught sight Of
his wife asleep in her chair. Her
mild pale face upturned in the
white light sent pang through the
heart OF the self-convicted man.
He went over to her and laying his
hand on her head, said
"Come, mother, you better not
wait mp for the boys I'd go right
to bed il | were you He contin-
ucd to smooth her hair as he SAID
it, and Mrs. Bates presently sat up
straight and wondering. 1t was
long since her husband had lost the
habit of bestowing littlc endear-
ments no used often to do this ve-
ry thing in the old days.
"Was Daniel going to die 20
The next morning, soon after
breakfast, Mr.. Bates went away in
his spring wagon, returning in the
space OF two hoors with the strong,
capable girl who assisted them on
extra occasions, announcing to the
surprise of his wife, that. Sophia
Mills had come to stay till the theft
Of the summers work" was over
"and mind you keep her busy
was told the astonished woman,
''and you get some time TO rest
In the Afternoon Mr.. Bates drove
to town, and as Mrs. Bradley had
the day before said she wished to
match some worsteds. he took her
along, taking occasion to ssy ss
they were we'll on their way
"I'm much obliged to you, Mrs.
Bradley, for giving me q hint about
my wife last night. I've been blind
and dumb as an old bat. 'Nough
said. Things III be different. Now
| want to ask another favor.
wish you'd pick out dress for my
wife--a nice one. that'll do for best.
Pm going to take her out West to
see her sister whom the crops are ali
in. She don't know q word about
it yet"
Mrs. Bradley wa delighted she
would be glad to help. What
would he like?
"Oh, you must settle that, some-
thing sort o. lady-like, black guess.
and get some Of that soft white
stuff such as you wear, to 90 round
her neck, and some ribbons and all
the tIimm;n's."
A more dazed woman than Mrs.
Bates could not be found, when her
husband, that night, after every
one else had gone to bed, presented
her with roll Of handsome black
cashmere.
"And Cynthy," he said, "you
must have it made up nice like Mira.
Bradley's with some ribbons a-fiut-
term in the wind"
"What's the matter with You.
Dan'l P" his wife asked anxionsly.
Whatever does al this mean 20
sit means, little woman, that
Two been an old brute. I've let
you slave yourself most to death
with not mite Of fun thrown in.
Now it's goin to be stopped. Pm
going to take care Of you the rest
OF the way. What wanId You say
now to takin' q trip out West next
month to see your sister Hannah 20
1t was too much. Mrs. Bates
could only cry and cry as il she
would never stop, while her hus.
band murmured az be atroked her
hair
women are curious. looked
for you TO laugh instead Of cry,
Cvufhv -