Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-11-24
JOE'S WIFE.

operation performed tnat morning. The
mud spattered up from the streets as he
rolled along, and the chilling November
iriZzle gave to the trees forlorn almost
CHASTITY aspect. His heart warmed as he
pictured to himself wife Watching for
him with welcome smile from their coy
parlor, dinner ready, and long, restful
evening before them.
But as he drew near home no cheerful
light streamed from door or window. All
Beemed as dark and deserted as the drip
ping street. lie threw the reins to the boy
whose duty it was to hold the horse on his
professional rounds. and flung open the
door with an irritated, injured feeling.
No tender smile; no sympathetic voice;
no freight; no dinner apparently.
"Elinof" he called.
No answer
"Elinor"
This time voice spoke out of the dark
mesa tired voice:
do be more quiet, John; the baby is
just going to sleep"
"Conlound it! Why isn't there a Ugh
here' And Why isn't the baby asleep be-
fore this time of nightP'
He has been fretful all day with hi
teeth, and | have not had chance TO
change my dress"
4 wailug cry from the nursery sent the
voice hurrying thither, and the doctor,
with some inaudihle words, proceeded TO
Light the gas and take off his wet overcoat.
The house was cold; the parlor had evi-
IDENTIFY been arranged by Hibernian hands;
an odor of something burning stole in
from the kitchen A pleasant reception
for man after q long days work.
He ran up stairs with no gentle foots
His wife sat by the nursery fire; her face
wore Il weary expression, and she had on
the same blue gown which she had donned
for breakfast The baby at length SLEPT in
her arms. She held up warning finger
as her husband came laundering in, but
already baby's light slumber had been dis.
turbed, and the process Of soothing and
singing had TO be repeated for the fifteenth
time.
1t seemed to the young mother as if her
patience could hold out no longer 1t was
provoking 30 have the little one startled
from his uneasy dreams again. She knew
Bridget would spoil the dinner She had
been trying all day TO get down stairs to
make the house pleasant with magic
touch here and there. She longed to get
into fresh gown and brush her hair but
there had been no time for her to do one Of
these things Nurse was away with a sick
sister, and babies ALWAYS demanded more
from their mothers than from any one else.
They are tyrannical and know and seize
every opportunity TO prove their power
over the anxious, half ignorant young
mothers, who are happy after al to be
their slaves.
When at last tie dinner bell rang Mrs.
Ford laid the baby in lis crib, sound asleep
this time, warm and lovely in his utter re
pose She gave hurried dab ut her wavv
hair caught up a fresh handkerchief and
ran down to Join her husband, who sat at
the table with decidedly cross look on his
face. He barely tasted the soup, then
pushed it away in disgust.
"BurnedY' asked his wife.
"Ot course. Can't you smell it all over
the house? Why don't you look after
Bridget a littlci"
"Why, John, l have hardly been down
stairs today"
"Where's Hannahf"
"She went to her sisters last night"
ooh yes; ! forgot. What's this? Cola
corned beef. Really, Elinor have you moth
Ing else to ofler?'
"Would you like an omlet?"
ono"
"What them"
"a becisteak, if you have one"
Mrs. Ford rose and went to the kitchen.
The girl of course had just filled up the
range with fresh coal so there was moth.
ing to be done but make the best of the
cold meat, potatoes and macaroui, fol
lowed by a desert Of apple pudding and
cheese.
DR.. Ford found fault with the potatoes
and said he was tired of macaroni: the
bread was dry and the butter not perfect
A to the pudding:
My mother always had mince pies at
this season." said he.
1If5 j.. CT
unusually sensitive TO straWs tonight,
could bear no more.
1T is pity you ever left your mot her"
81 think so, too" he responded, pushing
his chair back.
His wife hesitated moment whether
TO ran around the table and burst into
tears upon her husbands shoulder or to
rush up stairs and have a good cry by
baby's side. She decided upon the latter
course, and with quiverng lip left the
room and shut herself up in the nursery,
where the fire was dying on the heuth
sLd the baby breathing softly in strange
contrast 10 her overweight condition.
"Weu it i provoking Women always
must cry and fly into passion about tri-
Ges."
But her husband, even as he thought
these words, began to feel repcntant. lie
remembered the teething baby and the
long day at home alone, In another mo
ment ne would have followed his wife up
stairs and apologized for the pain he had
given her, But the doorbell rang and a
summons TO visit sick man at a distance
sent him at once out into the wet night.
Ard all domestic grievances were forgot
ten before he had driven 200 yards
The patient lived in "A squalid part of the
town by the river. The darkness seemed
deeper in this poor neig hborhood, the rain
more soaking and the wind keener. Tie
wind swept sullenly by, black swollen
tide, rejecting the haring lights on tie
bridge. But the doctor minded this dis,
comfort very little. He was in love with
bis profession, ardent and young. Besides
he despised dinner had given him new
courage to fight pain and death
He entered the one room of the low house
10 which be had been directed with a face