Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-26
The CHILDREN.

Mr.. and Mrs. Jones had not spoken to
each other for three whole days.
| Mr.. Jones had haSty temper and,
though kind and generous NJ heart, was
not always so considerate of his wife's
feelings as he might he.
On the contrary, Mrs. Jones was in
clined to what her husband called '.the
suiks" if things didn't go To suit her
After Mr.. Jones had time for reflection
his better feelings gained the ascendan-
Cy. He could not but feel that he was to
blame. though he did not think he was
the only one at fault-nor was he.
| But when he returned home that night
Mrs. Jones maintained grim silence,
not raising her eyes from her work or
seeming to be aware of his presence.
On perceiving this Mr.. Jones irritable
feeling returned.
'Let her sulk it out!' was his inward
ejaculation.
So, turning the back of his chair TO
hers, he read, or seemed to read, the vii
lage paper.
As will be readily believed, this did
not mend matters much Mrs. Jones be-
came confirmed in the belief that she was
one of the most abused women in the
world and Mr.. Jones that she was one of
the most unreasonable and provoking.
Thus the silence continued, both being
equally determined that they wouldn't
speak first.
We said equally. but Mr.. Jones was
the first to yield. On the evening of the
third day he broke the silence by saying:
Its no use for us to live together in
this way Ellen. We ought never to have
married, but it is useless to talk of that
now. The best thing We can do is to
separate
Il have been thinking so myself" said
hrs. Jones in steady tones. despite the
tumultuous beating of her heart, though
l didn't like to be the first one to propose
it"
Perhaps Mr.. Jones might have hoped
that his wife would have expressed some
dissatisfaction at this arrangement.
He continued in more subdued tone:
81 shall, of course, give you a portion
of my salary, sufficient to pay your board
and clothe you. Will this arrangement
be satisfactory"
Perfectly"
"If you prefer to board, as l suppose
You will, you can have part of the furni-
ture, sufficient at least to furnish two
rooms"
"And the childrenT"
The mothers voice faltered as she said
this.
They had two lovely children, dear and
precious TO each parents heart, and yet,
strange to say, Mr.. Jones had not once
thought of them.
81 suppose we shall have to divide
them," he said in an altered voice, for
it was something for which he was not
prepared (which will you take?''
There was pause of some moments,
during which there was evidently quite
a struggle in the mothers heart.
81 don't know; it's hard choosing. L
will let you decide"
ITS hard for me- too" said the father,
with sigh. But we must consider
what is for their best good. Freddie is
a boy and will be better with me. Emma |
is the youngest and needs your care most. !
1 think you had better take her.
Let it be so then"
AS Mrs Jones said this she glanced to- |
ward the crib. from which the boys curly |
head was just visible. i
Never did she realize until now how |
dear he was.
Her husband followed the direction of |
her eyes.
perhaps you think you ought to have |
both?'
"Oh, no." was the quick response; st |
is only right that you should have one"
With their hearts softened by these !
feelings, a word would have reconciled |
them, but that word was not spoken.
The next morning Mrs. Jones COM
menced her preparations and by night |
was comfortably domiciled in her new |
home.
Her rooms were pleasant, and yet she
found her new life indeseribably sad and
lonely.
She missed her husband much more
than she had expected. Many evidences
Of his love and tenderness crowded upon
her mind now that she could experience
them no more, while little Emma's art
less inquiries as to where papa was"
pierced her heart.
She also had much anxiety in regard to
Freddie. He had been subject to the
,roup from a baby, requiring the utmost
care on her part. How would it be now?
At last her worst fears were realized.
dispatch reached her, with these words:
Freddie is very i'll. Come at once"
She went with all possible speed, but
,nly to witness his dying agonies.
AS she bent over his lifeless body this
,gonizing reflection went like an arrow
through her heart:
"If / had not left him, he would not
laye died1'
Her husband was standing beside her.