Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-22
@HE Reverend Boswell Holland

sat alone In his study. The room
which, though small, had been
dignlfed with the name of study, was
the best and pleasantest room in the
house, and in it were drawn together
ali the best that the house Afforded
here was the prettiest paper and the
best carpet, the only lounge, the east
est rocking chair, the gayest table
cover, the best lamp, and the prettiest
ornaments, all gathered here by his
young wife's unselfish devotion, and
her husbands devoted selfshness.
A tall, stout, well-made, ford young
man, never intended by nature for any
~sedentary life; one whose broad Shout
ders and strong arms would have made
a better and healthier man of him in
the field or workshop; one who as a
farmer or machinist might have made
something Of his muscular inheritance,
but who had beon thrust into a posi-
ton he was wholly untitled for by
the weak ambition of a doting mother
and the vanity and self-indulgent in
dolence of his own character.
A gentle step, a timid deprecatlng
tap at the study door. Eyes right
attention." In one moment, like a SOL
der on drill, the reverend gentleman
had wheeled into position at the table,
snatched up a pen, dipped it into the
ink, and held it suspended over the
paper, as he said in the half-annoyed
tones Of a person suddenly disturbed in
some absorbing train Of thought:
you a come in"
Softly the door was pushed aiar.
and a sweet young face, fair and fresh
as an apple blossom, and framed in
braids Of soft brown hair, peeped tim
Idly in.
"Quite alone, dear?" she asked.
glancing round the apartment; and
then satisfied that he was 80, the wife
came ina girlish figure, though one
arm clasped her sleeping baby to her
bosom; in the other hand she bore a
small tray with snowy white cloth,
Pausing a moment on her way to de
post the child among the cushions OF
the lounge, she came to her husbands
side.
what have you got there, Lucy?"
he said in half-reproachful tones,
though his eager eyes contradicted his
assumed indifference.
"Only a little lunch for you, doar,"
said the little wife, coaxingly, and she
removed the desk and set the lille
tray before him.
"You silly child! what is it," Lucy
raised the cover and revealed a small
juicy beefsteak, temptingly cooked, a
biscuit, and a cup Of steaming tea.
"Oh, l have not any appetite; l do not
want it." said the husband, making a
very faint demonstration Of pushing it
from him.
Eyes, you do, dear; 1 know hest.
Did not you tell me yourself that
brains needed food, and that mental
labor was more exhausting than any
other? Take n little sip Of the tea
first, dear, and maybe that will bring
an appetite"
you are a little goose, Lucy" said
tue hcNclCIu w 40 hc tOOh tnc
cup from her hand; and so, just to
please the affectionate little thing, he
ate and drank all she had provided
and he did it, too, just as If he relish
ed every mouthful. You would never
have guessed he did not relish 1t. Oh,
he was such a good man! And Lucy
sat by, delighted that her idol had
condescended to accept her meat and
drink offerings.
'There now; these poor, dear, tired
brains will feel all the better" she
said, laying her soft hand carelessly on
his low brow. ut is too bad for you
to sit here, hard at work. all this love
ly day; but tell me, have you worked
very hard this m%orning"
well, no, not very" said the self
convicted idler. ut Is too warm to dc
much"
Warm here, dear?" said Mrs. Hol
land, glancing round the cool, fresh
orderly little room, and contrasting II
with the kitchen, the heated scene Of
her own labors. Then 1t must be be
cause you feel weak; do your