Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-30
cnAprER i

: y
ty one-storied house, half covered with
Il red creeper. 4 little toy OF a house
the wind gently stirring the curtains, and
murmuring through the half-bare trees
the blne sniol.e rising from tie chim-
neys-a voice echoing with delicious
faintness through the house. and over
the road. And you would have said, had
you passed. that surely this was 4 happy
home. where sin and sorrow would be
scared from the door.
The poor woman passing slowly along
with her sick child in her arms, is car
ried back to her youthful days, and
passes on with a sigh; the shabby man,
who has been trying for the last ten
years to find method Of living honestly
and yet prosperousy. wonders how it is
that some men can have beautiful little
homes like this, while others. Of whom
he feels he is one, may struggle on, and
on. feeling only too happy il they can
achieve the great feat of earning their
daily bread.
Could we cut down the laurel ana
variecated holly we should see Il neat
little breakfast parlor eXqulsitely fur
nishel; table covered with snowy
damask cloth; the tea urn Kissing and
shining like polished silver; breakfast
service OF delicate china-white and gold
that shimmers and glistens in the red
freight
A tail, broad-shouldered young man
leans against the mantelpiece. and looks
modify on, with an anxious, far-away
expression on his handsome countcnapce,
asl a daintily .attired young matron fits
hither and thither, singing little snatches
of gay songs in pure happiness of heart
She comes up TO him presently. putting
up the little rosebud of a mouth for a
kiss.
g. -. yes him in pretty, childish
manner to come to breakfast: and then
she is all activity again, half scolding.
hair praising the neat little maid that
brings in the things. She runs round
TO her husbands side once more before
giving him his tea. and tells him not to
loof serious. for the fayorte IS sure to
win and that his friend, Mr.. Gander,
had said only yesterday 70 her, that 1T
was all over but shouting. and that Rob
Roy would win this year in Il walk So
you see, dear, you need not feel uneasy,
for YOU know Camden mus know all
about it, as he keeps a book, as they
can it.
All" signs her husband. there is an
old saying, Maggie, about the cup and
the lip. you know and sometimes | wish
/ had never made Mr.. Gander's acquaint-
ance. He is a g6od billiard player, and
men who arc fond Of billiards somehow
can't help liking to see good play; and
then he put me on to Il good thing 10
Ascot, and / have felt grateful e r
since, but we must not get mixed up
with that lot. He will be bringing his
wife next. and / should not care for you
to know her.
Maggie looks bewildered as he pro-
ceeds: and then she says. "Oh, George,
what have | done? Do you know dear,
that l actually gave him flower for his
button holer'
"Indeedr' says her husband. laughing.
at is like his impudenee to ask for such
thing"
"Ah but that is just it--he did not
ask; he only said how lovely my white
geranium looked; and | insisted upon
making him up little bouquet; and, oh,
George. dear, it was so funny to see
il in his shabby coat
"Well, it is funny" lie says. ito think
of Gander paying his deyors TO Flora
All. but he did not wear it long. for
when he get outside he put it into his
hat Fancy. dear. my beautiful sweet
smelling flowers in his greasy old hat"
"WeH, shat shows that yon ought not
to th,ow pearls before swine-I mean,
give SuttonhoIes to booknakcrs. But,
now. my larling. make me little bou
quot and I promise you it shall be stu
next my heart when l come home this
evening"
''Oh, George, dear, shall come and
meet you to-day, and you must try and
leave early. want TO show you the
lovely sealskin jacket am to have, and
then you can take me to buy some fruit.
A deeper shade of anxiety passes over
the Young mans face, rs he says, Il am
almost afraid, Maggie, that | can't quite
AFFORD the jacket just now. You see. we
are living we'll up to my salary. You
must not be cross with ne for speaking
of money. dearest; but the fact is. ell
the ready cash could scrape together
has gone on Rob Roy. Now, had you
not better wait till after the races; and
then l will buy you that. and a new dress
into the bargain? 1t is not really cold,
yet. you know; and you can Wear your
red shawl that like so much"
"0h, George, so deeply rs | have set
my heart upon it; and | know | shall
never like another so well; and that will
be sold before then. / have seen that
so many times. If | make up my mind
to buy a thing--if | don't get it there
and then. il is always gone the next day.
But no matter; If you won't buy it for
ME. | must do without it,
There are actually two little dewdrops
of tears in the bright. dark eyes as he
, comes over to her and kisses her, and
says. gravely at is not a case of won't.
darling; l was afraid. for moment it
was one of can't; but as you have set
your heart upon it, You shall have it.
l will contriye to manage it somehow. ="
"That's my own kind husbandr' And
she looks as bright as ever as she runs
into the hall to help him on with his
overcoat As he passes through the
gate. he heayes deep, deep sigh, and
the hands are thrown up with very de-
spairing. expressive motion, and alto
gether he looks haraSsed aud troubled
in mind
MY one great misfortune" he thinks
to himself Il can never deny her any
tling: and she has no more idea of the
value Of money than have Of what
will win the Cambri1geshire next year.
Ali, well, We must hope fIr the best. II
this thing comes off, | shall win 4 tidy
hit of money; if it falls through, well,
then"
George Temple is capital fellow one
of those sood-t ,pered, easy men, Of
whom others say, He is only a fool to
himself" He is a good fellow enough.