Griggs courier., 1892-06-24

through life?" insisted Aunt Rachel.
Eve shall see, aunt. Come and visit
me this time next year and see what a
model wife and housekeeper I make"
laughed Ruby as she tripped merrily
downstairs to meet her lover.
Dick Walton was a thrifty young me-
chanic, q member of large family of
honest, Industrious boys, who, several
years before, had drifted out into the
far west to earn a home for the little
Ohio girl who had promised to be his
wife. He had succeeded in paying for
his land and building a little house in
which to begin housekeeping, and now
he had come back toclaim his bride and
carry her off-a willing captive-to the
tiny home awaiting her. ...4e
ut shall be my duty to bring money
into the house, and yours to see that
none goes out unnecessarily" said
Dick, after they were cozily settled in
the little bird's-nest Of q home. Ruby
agreed with him, and right faithfully
did she keep her part of the compact.
Dick proved a kind, considerate hus-
band, and, true to her convictions of
duty, Ruby kept herself tidy and the
house as bright as new pin, and yet
it must be acknowledged that her
tongue was sometimes sharper than the
exigency of the case demanded. Still,
their home was fairly happy and the
clouds that obscured their domestic
bliss were so feeting as to leave no
perceptible shadow on their lives.
Sometimes Ruby's heart would we'll
nigh break for sight of the dear old
home and the loving faces back among
the Muskingum hills, but she was a
brave little woman, and for Dicks sake
kept the dreadful homesickness locked
out of sight in her own heart.
1t was on Christmas that the solemn
words making them husband and wife
had been spoken, and the first ami
versary of their wedding day was cell
ebrated by the arrival of a new inmate
IA precious Christmas gift in the form
of a beautiful little boy whom Auby at
once named Dick. --.a.- ss.s.
''He must never hear harsh or .un-
kind word from his mothers lips,"
Ruby said to herself as she clasped her
treasure to her heart the first time. ga
mother must be the embodiment of all
that is pure and lovely, and mean that
little Dick shall grow up surrounded by
influences out of which all the bitter
ness of life has been extracted" She
fully meant to keep this compact, made
with her own soul while she lay weak
and white upon her bed, but she was
only human, and the worries and cares
that weighed heavily upon her when
she was again able to look after the
house and attend to the demands of the
exacting baby, often made her irritable
and impatient.
:. One cold, stormy day near the close
of March, Dick came into the CHEEKY
little room where his wife sat fashion
ing a dainty garment for the inhabitant
of the crib. In his hands he carried sew
eral sticks of wood which he had been
seasoning for the fancy work that he
managed to do on his scroll saw when the
weather was too inclement to work
out of doors. Usually Ruby was glad
of his company, butsshe had, not slept
we'll on account of the baby's restless
ness the night before, and consequent
ly was easily vexed to-day. Besides,
Dick had left trail of snow behind
him, and if there was anything that
Ruby particularly detested it was stains
on the pretty, bright carpet of which
she was so proud.
II think you might have knocked the
snow from your feet before coming in -
she said, tartly, glancing at the foot
prints plainly visible between the door
and fireplace. ''One would need to
keep the broom in motion constantly
where you are. You never think of any
thing but your own convenience"
''That is rather sweeping asser-
tion," answered Dick, pleasantly
enough. "I'll acknowledge am care :
less fellow, though l think you do me
injustice when you make an exception
of my own convenience"
.'There is no exception to my work.
however" snapped Ruby, brandishing
her broom, vigorously.
II am sorry made you extra work,
Ruby, but there is no use in being SO
particular about little bit of snow"
argued Dick. cit is clean dirt, and like
the old woman's grease will rub of
when it gets dry. Why, mother used
to sprinkle snow all over her carpet
before sweeping, and she was one of the
best Of housekeepers.
II am tired hearing that old song
about your mother. No doubt she is
paragon Of excellence, but this thing of
drawing unfavorable comparisons be-
tween mother and wife has become un-
bearable," Ruby said, spitefully.
'What do you mean by unfavorable
comparisons? Come, now, Ruby. don't
be childish. There is no use in making
mountains out of mole-hills," Dick an
swered, in a persuasive voice.
'That is the way you always talk.
You have not the least bit of sympathy
for me-" sobbed Ruby. "Aunt Rachel
was right when she said that 1 was
running great risk to give up my hap
py home for q cabin in the wilder