Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1905-03-01
sand ples FOR the little man to break

"Tve never read Johns letter." sud-
denly thought Amelia, with a sudden
tWinge of conscience. Poor old
dear, l wonder how he's getting on in
town all by himself. 1t will remind
him of his bachelor days before we
were married. Still, l simply couldn't
leave baby here with nurse-l should
miss him too d~readfully."
In the early spring John Jackson's
little heir had had an attack of whoop-
ing cough, and or his recovery the doc
tor had suggested sea air. Dr.. Cary
was an old friend of Johns, and seeing
the direction of affairs in that house.
hold, had hoped to mend matters by
his suggestion. He thought that once
nurse and baby were down at the sea-
side. Amelia would be freed from the
unconscious slavery into which she
had slipped, and John would once
more enjoy his home life. What was
his dismay on calling a few days later
to find the house deserted, except for
John and the cook!
Amelia opened and read the letter.
LIS COulGlllS OCCdSlolltu hCl IN SlldlA
surprise. They were as follows:
my Darling Wife-1'm sorry to in
terrupt your holiday. But, after the
first few days, cooks behavior has
been, to say the least, mysterious. She
always seems to be out, so you may
imagine that matters are not very sat-
isfactory here. l have not said any,
thing to her. as 1 know you think very
highly of. But I certainly think you
had better come home as soon as you
can and put matters right. I do not
think 1 had better interfere. AS for
leaving baby, h cannot be in better
hands than he is With Mary.
yours ever.
"John."
81 cannot possibly come home" said
Amelia to herself. How stupid John
is. l shall go in and write to him at
once, and tell him [ cannot possibly
leave baby. He must square things
up With cook himself.'
SO she went indoors and wrote to
John, telling him of her decision. A
week later. what was her dismay on
receiving a wire from DR.. Cary:
Come home. Your husband i'll.
Cary was the curt message.
Amelia was thoroughly frightened.
What can have happened?" she
said. Il hope it isn't some accident at
those horrid works. Some one is al
ways getting hurt there" She hastily
packed, caught the first train back to
town. and drove home in a hanson.
A sensation of fear of the unknown
stole over her. What if John were
seriously i'll. The telegram gave her
no clue. and wrapped up as she was in
her little son. she had not allowed her
self time to think of the possible seri-
business of affairs at home. On receiv-
ing the telegram, after her first alarm
her wholy attention was given 20
bahy's welfare in her absence.
DR., Cary met her, at the door of the
house.
"What has happened?" she asked
anXiously.
DR.. Cary took her quietly into the
little sitting-room.
81 fear your husband is very serious
ly ILL.," he said gravely. Then in a few
words he told her of all that happened
in her absence-of the advantage that
had been taken by the cook of her
miStreSS'S absence. How she had gone
out each night-often leaving John an
ill-cooked dinner or zone at all. How
she had come home late and lain in
bod thn nayt n10rninp on1 1af Tnhn 90
downtown to his office without his
breakfast. And how she had put
damp sheets on his bed. The result
of the months discomfort and neglect
was that John was lying seriously i'll
with double pneumonia.
"And I am an old man." said the
doctor. MAY I give you one word Of
advice?"
Amelia looked up ~questioningly.
"What is it," she asked.
eff your husband pulls through let
him see that he is first in your affec-
tons. Lately you have given your
whole being up to baby, and your hus-
course, I know it has not been so in
reality, but appearances have been
against you, and your husband has
lately had a disappointed look that you
would be the first to resent
= y 4 r y y q
John Jackson's recovery was very
slow. Thanks to the devoted nursing
Of his wife and the skill of DR.. Cary
the lung attack did not prove fatal as
it had threatened.
At last the day arrived when he was
pronounced sufficiently convalescent to
be allowed downstairs. He was lying
in a sunny corner with Amelia sitting
sewing by his side.
"It is indeed good, dearest, to have
you downstairs. 1t really looks like
recovery to-day" she said.
John smiled and then said:
"Do you know, Amelia, I am almost
sorry 70 be getting all right again."
"John DEAR exclaimed Amelia,
"whatever for? 1t must have been a
horrid time"
Il thoroughly enjoyed it," said John
grave1y. 81 am such a selfish brute,
Amelia, and Hever so thoroughly enjoy
myself as when 1 feel 1 am indisput-
ably first in .7our eyes"
JOIN" she said at length, "you al
u-a Y u-ara and a1u-aEc uill La ;nl;r