The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1900-08-17


we were always moving; If it was not
from one town to another it was from
one house to another; therefore 1 grew
up with no sense of real homelike feel
ing. l married very young, and was
charmed to find that my husband not
only took me to a snug home, but also
that he owned the house and expected
to live In it, as he said, always.
"At first we were very happy; the
novelty of having a home Of my own
gave to housekeeping a charm. l had
neat tea table, flowers, plenty of light, |
music and everything as In our court |
ing days, and Henry seemed as pleased |
to be with me as he had been before |
we were married.
LAS long as summer lasted all was
easy enough. We had agreed that we'd
keep no servant; a woman came every
day and did the rough work and l did
not mind the rest. But when winter
came l gradually left off using my best
things on the table: it was too much
trouble, and as my hands chapped east
ly l left the dishes for the woman to
/ Nnoif anu AlAAlb ~ DAN ~
bought common white ware. saw
Henry make wry face, but took no
notice.
Il had kept the sitting room bright
with flowers, my piano open and books
scattered about, for Henry often read
aloud; but the cold was intense, and
had generally spent my winters South,
so felt too miserable to care for any
Of these things. Often l did not change
my dress, and after supper would wrap
myself in shawl and go to sleep on
the sofa; then Henry would go Out-at
first | did not notice how Often-but
when | did 1 upbraided him for leaving
me alone, and took to asking every time
he came or went where he had been or
where he was going. AS he was out so
often l did not light the big lamp, so
there was no brightness.
L had never cared in the first days
of my married life to ask any friends
to call in the evening, but in my lone
illness and annoyance | invited several
young people. When my husband
found that out he also stayed in and
seemed to enjoy the company. Then
the demon of jealousy entered my soul.
b Every time Henry spoke to girl, sang
with her, or played game, l sulked for
hours, or, perhaps days. No man will
endure that, and every good girl re-
sents such suspicion from his wife
] so soon | was again left to my long,
j lonely evenings.
I NV husband was never unkind, but
It he seemed quite Indifferent to me. just
then the bric-a-brac craze began, and
e for want of better amusement l col
: lected lot of useless stuff, made crazy
a patchwork cushions and chair backs
= had little gilded tables scattered round
d and all the other fads of the day. WheI
Is Henry tried to move about he was al
e. WAYS knocking down something, anC
d [ flew to the rescue with cross o.
peevish word to him. He never an
le swered, but he kept more and mOr
Il away from home.
lie II was out Of health and out Of spir
s its; but he seemed not to notice, and
Sc thought he did not care to know. n
er one can tell what my dismay was whe
to one day he came home and began hast
IN ilv packing a trunk, telling me tina
I'd his business would take him away 70
If two months, and had better get som
l friend to stay with me during his at
e. sence.
Il did so, and a very kind and jud
to .cious friend she proved to be. Sh
soon found out the state of affairs, an
he also that | loved my husband passion
otelv. while he seemed to be slippin
er away and forgetting me. He wrot
oy once a week, cold, short, duty lette
and l did not write at all; l could no
80 felt as If my heart were breaking.
no after eight weeks had dragged the
weary length along Henry wrote th'
he would be at home on such da
". The day came, and 1 was in nervol
m fever of anticipation when, withol
mr. anv warning. a neighbOr rushed in
,ra the house to tell us there had been
I'D fearful railroad accident and mar
NJ, were killed. 1t was the train on whiC
ad we expected Henry!
NJ In my weak, Oyer-wrought state Il
in shock was too great. and before mar
hours had passed 1 was lying almo
-od at nv last breath, and the little bal
ON, from whose advent l had hoped
oss much was dead. For two days l kne
5er nothing. then l opened my eyes to S
Iii. nv husband by my side, love and am
IA o+v In the dear face and eyes. l W
the TOO weak to think, to remember t
accident. to know or to feel anythil
eos but the Joy Of his presence, and l f.
use asleep with my hand held in his.
oar u was young. and the happiness
not seelng how much Henry loved me W
ave nv best tonic. We began new life wi
NV good friend for an adviser. S
? smoke kindly and openly to each of l
IA nd the result was that we tried to ?