Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-31
A WIFE'S RIGHTS.
Why John Weston Was Forced
to Respect Them.

to control her voice.
II tell you no, cannot spare II; be-
sides she does not need a white dress.
II women had their way every cent
man could earn would be spent on
hnery and foolishnesa II Grace Is not
content 10 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 q new
dress, I've turned and remade every
thing that could possibly use. II you
have not the money TO spare let me get
II at Graham's, and you can pay It when
you como home"
~ won't have II; now don't you 20 10
getting II after l am gone Wait I'll
Ax It. Gracer he called TO q young girl
In the yard, mind, you are not to go
10 the picnic at all. Do you hear what
I say2"
Yes, but, oh, papal I am 10 take
part in tho exercises, and promised"
at don't matter what You promised
/ say you shall not go, and that ends It
I'll see II I'm to be beggared for a
woman's whims. Remember" !" he said,
turning 10 his wife, II said she should
not 20. and expect TO be obeyed."
you 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.
A one-story log house, ugly and un-
inviting save for the blossoming flowers
about II. rose before her, and from Its
low door n slender girl OF fourteen
came with wet eyes and flushed face,
saying, pitifully;
"Is II not too cruel, mamma9 How
can ! bear it2"
"Try 10 bear II 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 Now York with
them and purchased two hundred acres
Of rich butunimproved land. 1t had been
quite cheap-the entire cost only one
thousand dollars, but II had taken an
other thousand TO stock II and to build
the little house and barn. Mr.. Lewis
and John agreed very we'll and Alice
had been contented. 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 u home, whatever
happens. When ! am gone teach tho
little one TO love my memory"
The log g.house and barn had been
very well for start when they were
Just beginning, but Us years passed a
thriving little town spranR up near,
and q railroad wound its 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 n
better, more commodious structureI
and Alice had often pleaded for new
house, but John was adamant and
scoifed 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 wanting, but
since Baby Grace was three months old
she had never had stroke Of help in
the house.
johns parsimonlousness 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. II the provi-
slons we're out or their wnrdrobes need
ed replonishing Alice was made TO feel
that she was personally responsible for
the matter, and the family felt his dis
pleasure for days over every trihinR
expenditure.
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 father's In
itials In large brass headed nails, she
examined It's contents IL was an old
book, and Alice well remem bered when
John had first brought II home, after
depositing two hundred dollars In the
bank at b There was much TO his
credit; very little had been drawn out
and her examination showed her there
was ten thousand five hundred dollars
to his order.
Taking blank check from the
chest, Alice filled II for s5, 500, payable
TO herself, dated H. 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 q month";
} so Alice had a clear field for her opera
tons She examined her purse, but
found less than dollar therei but she
| supplemented 1t by selling eggs at the
village, and obtained money enough to
go to h. She had not been there
for years, and at first felt timid at be.
= ng alone In a large cityi but each mo
iment gave her confidence, and when
she presented the check at tho bank
she was US cool and dignifed as vet.
, eran.
: John had an uncle in the city, and 10
. him she applied for Identification.
Knowing nothing of the circumstances,
, he OF course identified her, but was
I thoroughly astonished when once out
of the bank TO learn the real state OF
: affairs He was, however, just man,
: and not only did he approve Of her
course, but gave her valuable assist
ance in her project, and no doubt saved