The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-03-28

I'll do my best to work without pay"
"A peIny saved is a penny earned"
he quoted kinder like he wanted to be
generous.
That's all right" says l, "still l
hain't never heard of any mans es-
timatin' his wife's salary at the end of
the year by this means; whatever 1t
is, it goes into his pocket, without
creditin' her with a cent of it,"
by cat! Marthy Maria. how you
talk It's awful hard on man when
he's done it all for you"
"All for me-" l sneered. "Why, LIsh-
er Whltby, you don't know what you
are sayin'. In the beginnin, I'll allow,
you were thinkin' of my comfort in
plannin' this addition; but since then
you haven't let an idee except your
own creep into it, If | submit and
say it's all right, you'll never know
how unjust and selfish you've been.
There's Just one thing l didn't promise
at the altar, and that is: not to have
an opinion. l won't give it up even
for you. l am willin' to hear your ar
guments and be persuaded, when they
are better than mine, but If am to be
partner in this home I've got to have
my say" Then left him to ponder
upon the subject.
l was just wretched. If | must sub
init, would try to endure defeat and
be patient. Meanwhile, that kitchen
was nearly finished.
On all subjects except this one Lish-
er and me was perfectly docile and
natural, but it was actually danger
Gus to our peace to even mention build
in.
Next week but one Mandy was COM
in, and l made up my mind to get rid
of this bitterness of heart and take
possession of the new part. l could
squeeze between the stove and the
table If necessary, and 1 would not let
the cupboard be constant reminder
of my menial or mo account" position
in my own home.
If l had been flrmer in maintainin'
my smaller rights, in our early mar
ried life, 1t would have been easier
for Usher to give up now; but, some
how, I've always hated fuses.
Some folks say that God never made
useless thing. Perhaps when l see
Him face to face" He tell me why
He gave me such great mother heart
and left me with empty arms through
life, with nothin' TO pet and spoil but
Usher.
Even in my darkest, lonesomest
hour, no one could have made me be-
lieve that my husband was indifferent
to me. True, men are apt to call
womans objectin' frettln' "a word
which is like nettle to a nervous tenn
perament).
It's riddle rs old as the sun, and
one that hain't never been answered,
why we are the most impatient with
those we love best?
So l cheered up and sang about my
work. and l could tell by Lisher's
voice that he was tryin' to seem kind
and thoughtful
He oven wanted me to have hired
help for a spell to give me chance
to rest after settln'.
You're rs likely q lookin' woman
for your age as there is in these parts"
he said to me at the supper-table.
"and l don't want Mandy to think
that I'm not careful of you"
We was to move in the next morn.
in, and he hadn't asked me to look
at the new part. l had lost but not
without Il desperate struggle. Once
convinced that my will, my opinions
and preferences We're never to be con-
sidered, l could give up hopin and
train my shoulders (even ii they was
weak and tremblin) to carry the load.
My proud spirit must bend to Llsher's.
for l could not live without him.
After the chores was done he went
to town. snyln' that he'd be back in
an hour or two. He waved his hand
to me as he drove through the big gate
and l closed it after him.
The house seemed cheerless, and the
windows sort of stared at me as |
walked up the lane. so | didn't go in,
but sat on the side steps until the
moon came up-it rose early at that
time.
Soon the porch and the orchard was
all bathed in its soft. comfortin', sill
very Hight. II quieted the soulache
within me-thIs heavenly peaceful
ness of nature.
walked through ihe garden and
stood under tine protectin' arms of a
great oak. Sinkin' down Mt its base.
l leaned my weary head against the
trunk, its strength rested me- 1t would
live grandly and TRANQUILITY. unmoved
by the tumult and strife about IT, Ii
would shelter under its hosDitable
branches many n tired. hearisick tray
eler. In the years TO come, as 1t was
now supporiln' me. Through storm and
sunshine II would endure. long after
and my sorrows had been forgotten.
Then l thought of the future and
my new position In the world--for my
self-respect must be sacrificed, indeed
had been. l could not cry out against
fate. neither could plead with my
husband. He would not, perhaps.
could not understand the situation.
"Marthy," said n low voice at my
side. while two stout arms raised me
to my feet. "I'ye been selfish, tyran-
nicai brute"
While | had longed for this moment,
l could not bear TO hea. him revile
himself.
Don't" l cried, placing my hand
over his mouth.
II must" said the dear soul. What
you said about my tryin' to deprive