Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-06-21
A WlFE's RIGHTS.

money, john" pleaded the wife, trying
to control her voice.
Il tell you no, l cannot spare it;
besides she does not need a white
dress. Ii women had their way every
cent man could earn would be spent
on finery and foolishness. If Grace is
not content to wear something she has
to this trumpery picnic, let her stay at
home; and I'm not sure but that would
be best anyway"
But John, she really needs new
dress; I've turned and remade every
thing that l coulu possibly use. If
you have not the money to spare let
me get 1T at Graham's, and you can
pay 1t when you come home"
II won't have it; now don't you go
to getting it after am gone. Wait,
I'll fix it. Grace" he called to a
young girl in the yard, mind, you are
not to go to the picnic at all. Did you
hear what l say?'
Yes; but, oh, papa! 1 am to take
part in the exercises, and promised"
1T don't matter what you promised.
l say you shall not go, and that ends
it. I'll see If Pm to be begSared for a
woman's whims. Remember" he said,
turning to his wife, Il said she should
not go, and expect to be obeyed."
You shall be-" she answered quiet
ly. I've never taught her to disobey
you, and 1 shall not begin now"
Better not" he returned roughly,
and walked away.
Alice Weston watched until he was
out Of sight, then turned and walked
slowly toward the house.
A one-storild .og house, ugly and
uninviting So for the blossoming
flowers about 1t, rose before her, and
from its low door a slender girl of II
came with wet eyes and flushed face,
saying pitifully:
rs it not too cruel, mamma? How
can 1 bear it?'
TRY to bear it bravely, darling.
Mamma will help YOU" And with her
arms around her weeping daughter,
Alice Weston sat down upon the lower
doorstone and thought.
Seventeen years before, she, pretty
Alice Lewis, had married John Weston.
Her mother was dead, and her father
had gone to northern New York with
them, and purchased 200 acres of rich,
but unimproved land. 1t had been
quite cheap, the entire cost only $1,000,
but it had taken another thousand to
stock it and to build the little house
and barn. Mr.. Lewis and John agreed
very well and Alice had been content
ed. Three years later baby Grace
came, and Grandpa Lewis holding the
wee one in his arms said:
Thank Heaven, Alice, you and baby
will always have a home, whatever
happens. When l am gone teach the
little one to love my memory"
why, certainly, father" said Alice,
cheerfully, IF need be; but you will
probably teach her to love you your
self. You may live to hold her babies
on your knee"
But three months later the old man
went to his long home. John at once
took the management of things into
his own hands, and Alice, naturally
quiet. and absorbed in a 6-months-old
babe, offered no protest to his assump-
ton that everything was now his; and
most Of their neighbors would have
been astonished to learn that the farm
really belonged to her.
The Lighthouse and barn had been
very well for start when they were
just beginning, but as years passed a
thriving little town sprang up near,
and a railroad wound it's serpent-like
track across one corner of the farm.
They had prospered, too, in other
ways; had little sickness and good
harvests, and every year John had
gone to B to deposit the yearly
profits. The barn had long ago given
way to a better, more commodious
structure; and Alice had often pleaded
for a new house, but John was ada
mant and scoffed at the idea. So Alice
yielded, though feeling his injustice,
for all labor-saving implements for
farm use had been freely purchased,
and help for himself was never want
ing, but since baby Grace was 3
months old she had never had a stroke
OF help in the house.
Johns parsimoniousness was grow
ing upon him. He seemed to have
sunk all other considerations, and bent
all his energies to making money. 1t
was difficult even to get him to pro
vide suitably for the table. If the pro-
visions were out or their wardrobes
needed replenishing Alice was made
feel that she was personally respon-
dble for the matter, and the family
t his dlspleasure for days over every
crifiing expenditure.
Thinking OF all this, with her sob
ding child in her arms, small wonder
IL her reflections were a little bitter,
Or that then and there she decided