River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1892-10-06

house- He had gone over everything,
had reconstructed affairs on a new
basis and made several plans. lie
would have no difficulty in carrying
them ont, for his word had ever been
law in his own house. If he suggested
anything it must surely be done, and
this not on account of tyranny, but be-
cause of the old-fashioned reverence
for her husband as head of the family.
which Mrs Bates had always main
tanned and instilled into the minds of
her children. Father knows best"
was her unvarying decision.
1t was not like Deacon Bates TO say
much about his good resolutions. but
to proceed to put them in practice as
rapidly as possible. There was no
light in the sitting-room when he en-
tered but that of the moon which
streamed in at the long window. lie
thought the room was empty till he
caught sight of his wife asleep ia 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
up for the boys. Ia go right TO bed if
were You" He continued to smooth
her hair as he said Il. and Mrs. Bates
presently sat up straight and wonder
ing. II was long since her husband
had lost the habit of bestowing little
endearnents: he used often to do this
very thing in the old days.
WAS Daniel going TO die?''
The next morning, soon after break.
fast Mr.. Bates went away in his spring
wagon, returning in the space of two
hours with the strong capable girl who
assisted them on extra occasions, an
nouncing. 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
/ he told the astonished woman, land
you get some time To rest"
In the afternoon Mr.. Bates drove &c
| town. and. as Mrs. Bradley had the
! day before said she wished to match
some worsteds. he took her along. TAX.
ing occasion to say as they were well
on their way;
I'm much obliged to You. Mrs. Brad.
| ley, for giving NE hint about my wife
last night I've been blind and dumt
as an old bat 'Nough said. Things II
be different. Now l want TO ask
another favor. wish you'd pick out
a dress for my wife-a nice one, thatll
do for hest. I'm going to take her out
west TO see her sister when the crops
are all in. She don't know a WORD
about it vet
Mrs. Bradley was delighted; she
would be glad to help What woulc
he like?
''Oh, you must settle that. something
sort of ladylille; black, guess; and get
some of shat soft white stuff, such a:
You wear, to go round her neck, anC
some ribbon and all the trimmin's
\ more dazed womaH than Mrs.
Bates could not be found, when hei
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 Mrs. Brad.
lev's with some ribbons a-floatin' in the
wind
Whats the matter with you. Dan'l?'
his wife asked. anXiously. Whatever
does all this mean?"
lit means, little woman. that I've
been an old brute. I've let you slave
Yourself most TO death with not
mite of fun thrown in. Now its going
to be stopped. I'm going to take care
of you the rest of the way. What
would you say now to talgin' a trip out
west upxt month tn sep votir sister
Hannah?"
1t was too much. Mrs Bates could
only cry and cry as If she would never
stop. while her husband murmured as
he strolSed her hair:
women are curious. I looked fci
you to laugh instead of cry, Cinthy.''
Mrs. c. NJ. Livingston, in n. y. Oh
server