The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-01-31

~ '"' W. W hrh' ~ hi'i' vi iNe
himself alone.
There is Il creed abroad that a young
man is better alone. free from all incum-
brance of wife or children: but in the old
times ii was not so. Then. children were
esteemed IAN heritage and gift that COM
eth from the Lord:'-nOw. selfish luxury,
WorldlinoSs, and the love of outward show
have brought our young mcn-ay. and
some women. toto such Il pass that
they feel, nay. openly declare. every child
born to them is a new enemy: and mar
rage. instead of being Honorable" to all,
is n folly. a dcrision, or Il dread.
Why is this? And is il the mems
fault or the womon's: Both. perhaps;
yet. | think. chiefly the womcn's. Feeble.
useless, half-cducatcd; taught TO believe
that ignorance is amusing. and helpless
ness attractive; no wonder the other sex
shrinks from taking upon itself not Il
help but II misunderstanding enough be-
fore marriage. but after: The very man
who nj first exultcd in his beautiful orna-
mental wife. will. by and by, - the first
to turn round and scorn her.
No man could ever scorn Silence Jar
dine. In spite of her sacred fecblencss.
she resumed at once the business of life
harder than anybody knows who has not
tried the experiment of making siX-pcncc
DO the work of Il shilling. And she did it
chccrfully. and without any outward sign.
Brain never idle: feet never still, or, if
compelled To- stiffness. hands always busy
at something or another; full of endless
care and thought for others. most of all
for Itodcrick, who never thought of him.
SELF or his own pleasures nj all: even in
her room, or on her sofa. Mrs. Jardinc
managed to be the very soul of the house,
planning everything. arranging every
thing. and. it often seemed, doing every
thing.
1t was Il solitary life she led. for her
husband look to going down to the mill
every day, and all day long; it "amused'
him. he said, and indeed he always came
home looking SO busy and cheerful that
| she was glad of the change for him. But
it was a life of perfect ease. And then, it
was full Of day-drcams.
Are you not dull somotimcsT' said
Roderick one day. when he came in Il lit
tie earlier than usual, and found her sit
ting sewing 10y the fading October li@ht,
but with such a placid smile on her lips,
such bliss in her eyes.
Dull? How could | be? I was only
thinking"
Il nave bcCn tIlllklllh, 100, Only L NoHli
| not tell you till | was quite sure of my
self" said he, as he sal down beside her.
silence. ! do really believe your husband
is not such Il goose as he seems. Black
says SO: and Black. though an oddly, is
by no means a bad fellow
Silence smiled. She had oftentimes bat
tied against her husbands dislike 10 the
honest man, whose rouglncss rubbed
lin, So, ,h., ,..,,,r u.o, - o. no coil ayan
worse than Mrs. Maclagan. Now under
the rough rind he had discovered the
pleasant kernel. Things had evidently
rightcd themselves.
"lIc objected strongly to me ut first be-
cause I was a gentleman, which was as
great a dclusion in his way as my setting
him down Il boor because he Wore Il rough
coat. and had manners to match. Now.
we both understand one another better.
| have been working with him at the mill
for fourteen days, and what 10 you think
is the result
lie spoke with a buoyancy of tone and
manner such as Silence had not seen in
him for weeks.
"Somcthing is going to happen-that is,
if my wife does not object. which. being
Il very sensible woman. don't think she
will. ! am actually going TO earn my
daily bread"
She turned round-hcr lips quivcring.
Now. don't begin To cry about it. Mrs.
.Iardinc. my dear; it isn't breaking stones
upon the road. or anything very dread
full: and the bread ! shall earn will not be
TOO luXurious-only two pounds II week
one hundred pounds Il year, which is my
precise value Just ut present. Flattcring:
but it is something. i am rather proud
Of my position as brcad-Winncr-l. that
never earned Il h|all-pcnny in all my
days.
He spoke a little fast. and with Il
flushed check. She put her hand upon his
and held il, with Il soft, firm hold.
Tell me ALL"
"rhcrr is not much TO tell. You know
how fond ] always was of machinery
indeed. once begged 10 bc made an en-
.iurcr. but my-thcy Mt hom" Chr never
NAMED his mother noWD thought the pro-
frs>ion was not '%gcntccl' enough. and it
is too late now. Black says. But h" also
says. rs II m%ill-oWncr | might find my
turn for mechanics extremely useful. |
couid watch, examine, perhaps even in
vent: indeed. during these two weeks !
nave made a suggestion or two which he
is pleased to consider 'admirablc.' Mr..
! Jardinc.' he said To me this morning. If
YOU were but Il capitalist and could start
Il mill. or Il Workiugnan. who required to
earn your bread as ovcrScrr or foreman
you'd do And | startled him 10y telling
him | was Il WorkinGman, and | did re-
Quirc To earn Iny bread: and If he thought
| deserved forcman's wages. | would take
them gratefully, and Why Silence, my
darling, Not c%ryiu%E'
But she WAS. though She dried her Tears
AT once. "Oh. llodcrick. and this is done
for me-
For YOU and lit" he whispered. and
then there WAS Il long pause of spccchl,ss
pt2ce.
Il don't wish To make myself out n