The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-06-01
A WIFE'S RIGHTS.
Why John Weston Was Forced
to Respect Them.

w 4o0SPOSo AAOA4s
81 wish you would let me have the
money, john" pleaded the wife, trying
to control her voice.
81 tell you no, l cannot spare it; be-
sides she does not need white dress.
If 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 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"
81 won't have it; now don't you go to
getting it after 1 am gone Wait, I'll
fix it. Grace!'' he called to young girl
in the yard, ''lnind, you are not to go
to the picnic at all. Do you hear what
l say?"
Eyes; but, oh, papa! I am to take
part in the exercises, and promised"
sit don't matter what you promised
say you shall not go, and that ends it.
I'll see if I'm to be beggared for
woman's whims. Remember" he said.
turning to his wife, 81 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 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 it, rose before her, and from its
low door slender girl of fourteen
came with wet eyes and flushed face,
saying, pitifully:
us 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, and her father
had gone to northern New York with
them and purchased two hundred acres
of rich but tunimproved land. 1t had been
quite cheap-the entire cost only one
thousand dollars, but it had taken an
other thousand to stock it and to build
the little house and barn. Mr.. Lewis
and John agreed very well 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 home, whatever
happens. When l am gone teach the
little one to love my memory"
The Lighthouse and barn had been
very well for a start when they were
Just beginning, but as years passed a
thriving little town sprang up near.
and 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 q
better, more commodious structure;
and Alice had often pleaded for new
house, but John was adamant 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 wanting, but
since Baby Grace was three 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 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 trifiing
expenditure.
Entering the house, she went slowly
up the ladder that led to the loft, and
taking 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 well remembered when
John had first brought it 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 a blank check from the
chest, Alice filled it for SIS, 500, payab BILE
to herself, dated it 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 a month;
SO Alice had a clear field for her opera
tions. She examined her purse, but
found less than dollar therei but she
supplemented it by selling eggs at the
village, and obtained money enough to
go to b. She had not been there
for years, and at first felt timid at be-
ng alone in large city; but each mo.
iment gave her confidence, and when
she presented the check at the bank
she was as cool and dignified as vet
eran.
John had an uncle in the city, and to
him she applied for Identification.
Knowing nothing of the circumstances,
he of course identified her, but was
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