River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-05-24
a WIFE'S RIGHTS.
Why John Weston Was Forced
to Respect Them.


IL tell you no, cannot spare it; be-
sides she does not need white dress.
IL women had their way every cent
man could earn would be spent on
finery and foolishness. IL 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 | could possibly use. If you
have not the money to spare let me get
it at Grahams and you can pay it 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. Gracer' he called to young girl
in the yard, mind, you are not to go
to the picnic at all. Do you hear what
| say?"
Yes; but, oh, papa! | am to take
part in the exercises, and promised
''It don't matter what you promised
| say you shall not go, and that ends 1t.
I'll see if I'm to be beggared for
woman's whims. Remember" he said,
turning to his wife, Il said she should
not go, and expect to be obeyed "
UYou shall be-" she answered quiet
ly. I've never taught her TO disobey
you, and 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-story log house, ugly and un-
inviting save for the poisoning flowers
about it, rose before her, and from its
low door a slender girl of fourteen
came with wet eyes and flushed face,
saying, pitifully:
rs it not too cruel, mamma? How
can 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, ana her father
had gone to northern New York with
them and purchased two hundred acres
of rich but unimproved land. 1t had been
quite cheap-thc entire cost only one
thousand dollars, but it had taken an
other thousand TO stock 1t and to build
the little house and barn. Mr. Lewis
and John agreed very well and Alice
had been contcnted. 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 nome, 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 yourself.
You may live to hold her ba bies 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 six-mopths'-
old babe, offered no protest to his as
sumption that everything was now his;
and most of their neighbors would have
been astonished to learn that the farm
really belonged to her.
The log .house and barn had been
very well for a start when they were
Just beginning, hut as years passed
thriving little town sprang up near.
and a railroad wound its serpent-Hl -
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
better. more commodious structure,
and Alice had often pleaded for new
house, but John was adamant and
scoffed at the idea. 20 Alice yielded,
though feeling his injustice, for all
labor-saving implements for farm use
had been freely purchased, and help
for himself was never wanting, but
since Baby Grace was three months old
she had never had stroke of help in
the house.
Johns parsimoniousness was grow
ing upon him. lie seemed to have sunk
all other considerations, and bent all
his energies to making money 1t was
difficult even to get him to provide
suitably for the table. If the provi-
sions were out or their wardrobes need
ed replenishing Alice was made to feel
that she was personally responsible for
the matter. and the family felt his dis
pleasure for days over every tritling
expenditure.
Thinking of all this, with her sob
bing child in her arms, small wonder If
her reflections were a little bitter, or
that. then and there, she decided upon
a course of action. And her set lips
and earnest eyes left no doubt that she
would adhere to that decision. Your
quiet, self-contained women generally
do adhere to their decisions when they
are forced TO make them
Entering the house, she went slowly
up the ladder that led to the loft, and
taking a small book from an old red
chest. on which were her fathers in
itials in large brass-headed nails. she
examined it's contents. 1t was an old
book, and Alice i ~emem bered when
John had first brou -ht it home, after
depositing two hun r d dollars in the
bank at B There was much to his
credit; very iitt e had been drawn out,
and her exam; nation showed her there
was ten thous; u five hundred dollars
10 his order.
Taking "a blank check from the
chest, Alice filled it for s., 500, payable
to herself, dated il and signed her hus-
bands name as nearly like his own sig
nature as possible.
Each autumn John went to New
York with his own and his neighbors'
produce, remaining there two to four
weeks. Thither he had gone to-day,
and would remain at least month;
so Alice had clear field for her opera
tions. She examined her purse, but
found less than dollar there: but she
supplemented it by selling eggs at the
village, and obtained money enough to
30 10 Il. She had not been there
Tor years, and at first felt timid at be-
ing alone in a large city: Tut each mo-
imen5 gave her confidence. and when
she presented the check nj the bank
she was as cool and dignified as vet
eran.
John had an uncle n the city, and to
him she applied for Identification.
knowing nothing of me circumstances,
he of course identified her, but was
thoroughly zstonisned when once on.
of the bank 80 learn the real state of
:.ffairs. lie was, however, a just man,
aud not only did he approve Of her
course. but gave her valuable assist
ance in her project, ard no doubt saved