The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-08-31
WAS III STEALING?
How a Brutal Husband Was
Taught a Needed Lesson.

Speaking of the disabilities of wom-
en-, some people would have you be
lIeve there were none NOWADAYS be
cause women are more favored IN this
! land than in others. that their rights
are well enough protected and they
have nothing to wish for Why. il
was only this morning | heard of a
woman knocked down by her husband
and called "A thief for taking money
from bls pocket. as if it had been his
money only and not hers that she had
worked hard for. Her little boy, with
other children, had got into some.
Troublesome petty o1fense-and it
was to release him that she WAS hunt
ing around for money. Her husband
never gave her any, although Il we'll
to-do man and she Woodworking
woman"
The speaker paused. and there were
many questions asked and a general
buzz OF conversation. Through it all
Mrs. Arens sat and listened She.
heard no names. ami she was very at
tentive. What if it were Ellen. the
sister who had been like Il mother To
her, married to such q penurious man?
She should not feel easy till she saw
her At the first good opportunit,
she ordered her carriage and putting
IN some cushions, almost smiling at
her fears, she told Dennis where. to
drive.
1t was at the other end of town. at
the foot OF lane leading up to a small.
shabby looking house that he stoppcd
the horses. and she < OF out to walk.
The window shades were down, and
she walked around to the back door.
pushed it open, and passed into the
kitchen On an old lounge was the
prostrate form of her sister with suf-
fering IN her face.
ELLEN, Is II true" she said what |
have heard? Did he dare to raise his
hand against you, after all these
years? Tell me quickly. Where are
you hurt?''
''Oh, no! Oh, no! 1t was only the
words They startled me SO. 1t was
what he called me. | hit the table
the sharp corner. / hurt my side. |
believe | did fall, and it is very sore;
but | am going to get up" She made
a resolute effort, but fell back with a
white face and an exclamation of pain.
You must go home with me. You
are ali worn out, and there is no one
here to nurse and care for you proper
'
come back
Mrs. Arens called to Dennis, who
drove away for help. Then she went
about the house picking up hat would
he needc,:, and W hen Dennis returned,
her sister, quite unresisting, was lifted
into the carriage, carefully wrapped
up and driven away.
Hiram Biake. on coming home that
fire Nxrif.
per, no son. Such an experience had
never happened before in the whole
course of his married life. He had been
hard at work all DAY, and had had no
time to think of the occurrence of the
morning. but now 1t came back with a
troubled insistence. He went to
house not far away, where lived a
woman known as old Emeline," who
sometimes came to help his wife. lie
hired her now To come and get him
something to eat. Then as he moved
uneasily about the room, from window
to table. trying to read, and putting
his paper down again, little Paul came
in with a scared look. He said his
mother was at his Aunt Ruby's, and
that the doctor said she would be sisk
a long time.
Don't wonder" shifted old Emeline,
casting d black look at Hiram Blake
Its wonder she want took sick u
long while afore She had work enough
for three women to do here"
At the end of week the man ac-
knowledged to himself that he had
never been SO miserable in his life.
lie dismissed the hired men after the
days work, for the faithful wife was
no longer there to feed them. Paul re-
manned at his aunt's much of the time,
only coming home now and then to re
port the slow progress of the patient.
LoiterIIis in the lane one evening.
Hiram Blake saw some one leading a
horse very carefully, who inquired if
there was any hotel near, as something
, was the matter with his horse, and he
wished to find veterinary surgeon to
examine it. Mr. Blake did an unprece-
| dented thing for him. He asked the
! stranger in, while he went for 4 neigh
boring doctor skilled in the treatment
of animals. He prescribed some rem
edies, and the stranger. who said his
name was Dixon, was invited to stop
with Mr.. Blake, such was his utter
loneliness. He accepted gladly for a
few days. The old housekeeper grum-
bled at having another Ito do for;' but
after the first day she made no further
complaint, saying: MIR. Dixon was a
likely man, and pleasant spoken;
some difference between him and Iii
Blake" and she prophesied they
would not pull together long"
Mr.. Dixon was SO solicitous for his
| horse, and worked so persistently for
its comfort, that 1t excited his hosts
comment.
But that is my religion. Mr. Dixon
| answcrrl to make everything arc"
Ie as happy as it is in my power
| You have a good beast there, and he
,ointed to a straw berry roam named
| Peter.
My wife is fond of that horse"
| Hiram Blake-s voice sounded strange
| iy to- him.
| ''lIe looks overworked"
''Ees- He has been doing the work
of two horses lately. l must let him