The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-03-29

you to help Lizzie and on Mary to
dress the children"
Mr.. Mason looked at his wife to see
it she were out of her mind, but she
looked very much composed.
There's a concert to-night l want to
attend, John" she said, sweetly, after
sitting by the fire so long that the girls
decided, if the house were cleaned UP
up they would have to do it.
But the money :" began the hus
band.
"Oh, I have it from the meat mon
ey," was the smiling reply. IT need
music just now more than meat"
Take her, pa" cried Mary. "She
always gives the tickets to the rest of
U.S."
Lizzie, you'll have to arrange to
look after the children an hour each
afternoon, for 1 shall lie down then"
Mrs. Mason said to her maid, the next
day.
'Ican't be bothered with young'uns,"
was the answer.
Very well" was said in such a firm
tone that the young girl relented.
They all noticed that the mother &C
ca~sionally read in the daytime--a
thing Mr.. Mason had not been brought
up to in his New England home, but
which was commo in Mrs, Mason's
early days.
The fourth day M. Mason could not
contain himself. Il can't see but you
are looking better than usual, ma,
thou you don't.RcE as if you we're we'll.
l had thought to send up the doctor to
day. Is it a tonic you need2'
Not exactly" was the reply. I'm
going down town to day. Snail / get
what 1 need?'
'Ot course, ma" he answered, ten
DERBY, thinking it was some new
patent medicine dear to the heart of
woman. IN tell the cleIk to give you
what money you want, as l shali be
out"
Imagine his surprise to find his wife
had drawn twenty seven dollars. If he
had not been in good and regular
standing" he might have uttered some
strong words. AS it was, he spoke in
a tone of voice that would have fright
ened a sneak thief: Ma, what could
you mean by taking twenty seven dol
lars?'
That was enough for to day." che
said calmly, though it will take more
when the making of my dress is paid
for. l got my cloak at a bargain, and
a new dress, and q bonnet and shoes.
You said to get what I needed. Haven't
l earned that much, dearI"
'Ot course, ma" he said s~oftening,
but you never cared before for look
ing we'll"
But l do care" che cried, land l
must take care of myself since there is
no one in the world vino loves me
enough to do it," then, not being a
very new woman" she put her head
down and sobbed aloud. Those tears
led to long talk that put matters on a
different footing with the husband and
wife, and this much of the ConYersa-
ton came to the girls as they went
through the hall: Il can't help think
ing, dear, you are to blame for the girls
being so selfish and lag" But the
father got this back, for later he over
heard this interesting remark: Its
mas sweet disposition that has made
pa 80 selfish and neglectful. Think Of
I ma Diminishing Lizzie and getting a girl
who can cook! l am going to turn
over a new leaf myself. wonder ma
has not sunk under such work and
care"
o. course, the new leaf got crumpled
sometimes. The children clamored for
their devoted slave, and the girls grum
bled because they had to take their
part in the household care, and the
father some times insinuated he would
be bankrupted because of the expensive
girl: but the little woman trusted God
to keep her at her best, and every one
re- )iced in the bright, happy mother
who was the inspiration of the home.
The next New Years eve, when Mrs.
Mason was in her friends little home,
she pitied her loneliness, and said: Il
wish you would marry, Kate"
81 wouldn't obj ect if I had such a
good husband as your John, was the
laughing answer. being good to
yourself has helped even him, has it
not"
YES" answered Mrs. Mason, Il