Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1904-07-09
@HE Reverend Boswell Holland

CO HE Reverend Boswell Holland
sat alone in his study. The room
which, though small, had been
dignified with the name of study, was
the best and pleasantest room in the
house, and in it were drawn together
all 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 unselfsh devotion, and
her husbands devoted selfshness.
A tall, stout, wel-made, fiorid young
man, never intended by nature for any
sedentary life; one whose broad Shout
ders and strong arms would have made
q better and healthier man of him In
the field or workshop; one who as q
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 selfindulgent in
dolence of his own character.
A gentle step, a timid deprecatlne
tap at the study door. Eyes right
attention. In one moment, like 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-annoyet
tones Of a person suddenly disturbed IL
some absorbing train of thought:
You can come in"
Softly the door was pushed aiar
and a sweet young face, fair and fresl
as an apple blossom, and framed II
braids of soft brown hair, peeped tim
idly in.
"Ouite alone, dear?" she asked
glancing round the apartment; ant
then satisfied that he was so, the wifi
came ina girlish figure, though on
arm clasped her sleeping baby to he
bosom; in the other hand she bore
small tray with snowy white clott
Pausing a moment on her way to dc
post the child among the cushions o
the lounge, she came to her husband
side.
What have you got there, Lucy
he said in half-reproachful tones
though his eager eyes contradicted hi
assumed indifference.
"Only a little lunch for you, doar,
said the little wife, coaxingly, and 81
removed the desk and set the ~
tray before him.
"You silly child! what is it?' Luc
raised the cover and revealed a sma
Juicy beefsteak, temptingly cooked,
biscuit, and a cup of steaming tie
"Oh, have not any appetite; do M
want it." said the husband. making
very faint demonstration OF pushing
from him.
Yes, you do, dear; I know hes
Did not you tell me yourself thu
brains needed food, and that ment
labor was more exhausting than ar
other? Take little sip of the te
first, dear and maybe that will bril-
an appetite"
"You are a little goose, Lucy" sa
the Reverend Boswell, as he took Il
cup from her hand; and so, just
please the affectionate little thing,
ate and drank all she had provided
and he did it, too, just as If he relis
ed every mouthful. You would new
have guessed he did not relish 1t. O
he was such a good mani And Lu
sat by, delighted that her idol h
condescended to accept her meat a
drink offerings.
'sThere now; these poor, dear, tIr
brains will feel all the better" s
said, laying her soft hand carelessly
his low brow. ''It is too bad for y
to sit here, hard at work. all this lo'
ly day; but tell me, have you work
very hard this morningT
"Well no, not very" said the sc
convicted idler. "It is too warm to
much"
Warm here, dear7" said Mrs. III
land, glancing round the cool, FREE
orderly little room, and contrasting
with the kitchen, the heated scene
her own labors. ''Then 1t must be
cause you feel weak; do your"