The Progress., 1894-01-13
HER HUSBAND WAS DRUM.
4 Cruel Joke That Taught Nonns
wife "a Valuable Lesson.

Il Wouid not submit to such dis
grace said Mrs. Stone, setting dowr
her cup with such force as to shake the
pretty enaneled spoon off its Dresden
resting place; If my husband were
weak enough 10 ignore his duty TO him
self, his family and society to such de
gree as to becoms intoxicated, would
take no responsibility whatever"
But, my dear Mrs Stone" said Mis-,
Foss. would it not he your duty? Yor
know you promised.
81 made no promise to drnukard
Mrs. Van Noorheese has never recovered
from the shock Of seeing her husband
return from the $. +. G. club dinner in
toxicated; her maid told Eugene that
her mistress fainted; now if FRANK
should come home affected by liquor il
any way, well. | would turn the hosI
on him and leave him 10 dry as best hi
could outside"
This vehement remark was accom-
panied with most expressive glances to
ward Mr.. Stone, who stopped his discus,
sion of high license laws Ia smile afTec
ionately upon n hcaUtiful wife. quite
unaffected Ivy such terrible threats
Driving home that night Mr.. Stone
seemed more prcocCUpicd than usual; /;
fact. about his only remark was, ''DidEj
yoI think you We're rather hard on your
self and me this evening while spoakn.
of NJ. Van Noorheesc's conduct"
Just a fortnight has passed since Mira
Eos reception, and seated costly by ~
open fire Mrs. stone is reading. He
little book has proved 50 exciting thg;
!: 10, II. - have struck. and Nrs. stone i
surprised to hear the carriage drivin,
in. What can be tho matter with thr
door? Could James have bolted il? II
run down and open it for Frank; h,
!: must be wOruout having to talk to
!: dozen men ali this time, thought Mrs
Stone. "B1t what is the natter VIII
don't you come in, Frank said she, sec
ing that the bolt was back and nOthins
to prevent her husband from instantly
turning the key, as he had done SO man,
times.
"Nlish Stone, whash the matter will
thish door? Yen ought know bette
!; than shtuff keyhole."
One look at her husband was enough
!: He was drunk.
Frank, my dear Frank, what is tb
matter? Where have you been?'
Matter? Should shay was matte
'nough! Friend. sh, all drunk; driver
sh, drunk; horsches drunk; kish me
love; you are only person shober."
BY this time Mrs. Stone had tenderl,
extricated her husband from his coat
and half carrying him up stairs wa
endeavoring to quiet him, as he con
timed talking in n painfully loud voice
With loving patience she undresse,
him, but everything seemed glued on
When she tried to take off his coat an,
vest they seemed too small, and sh
dared not ask him TO change his attitude
for fear he would speak with that awfu
thick voice or look at her with tina
vacant, tipsy expression. All this haC
taken time and such exertion had quit
exhausted Mrs Stone. Now as she sa
on the floor before him with a fright
ened vet loving expression on her fac
it seemed a pity that her husband coult
not realize how deep her love must be
He must be terribly stupefcd to permi
his beautiful young wife to work OTe
him so hard and long. And Mrs. Ston,
has stopped exhausted.
Looking up at hlm she said in low
sad voice:
''Oh. Frank. how could You be II
cruel to me? Have YOU SO far forgotten
me, your wife, who loves yOu so, anC
little Jack, Ny husband, who was s.
handsome. SO loving, 50 good Il few
hours ago.
His answer was a sleepy, tipsy grunt
and striving in vain to keep back ;earr
Mrs. Stone began to struggle with his
boots. How had he ever walked j.
them, they were so tight! Again and
again she tried TO pull them off, but be-
strength seemed gone. and she was about
to rise and ring for the maid when she
heard her husbands voice:
Where is your cold water hose. Beth?'
Looking mp she saw twinkle in his
ewes that uoIa but Il sober man could
have, and the voice she heard was as
clear, as true as she had ever heard if.
Sne saw it all
What cruel joke! But she was too
happy in the truth to rcproach him.
10 not think Mr.. Stone ever re.
GREETED his cruel test, as it showed hiGl
how deep was his wifes love. As for
Mrs. Stone, she is more charming than
ever, and has eschewed exaggeratiOn.-.
( Christian Advocate.
Ii>tula.
III, me and Farm