Year: 1865

Ellen Peabody was quiet, t,unassuming
young woman, Of really good and amia-
BILE disposition, and beloved by all her
acquaintanees. It was because they low
ed her that they were averse to her mar
.rying JOB Morgan, a young man of the
village, whom every one in Willis agreed
was unlike Ellen as the sharp and prickly
thistle is unlike the modest little violet
But when ever aYails the voice of friends
on the one side, when the lover pleads on
the other.


Ellen did not got angry with them, but
she felt that they deeply wronged Job,
that, in fact, none understood him, and
she felt that it would be the greatest tri-
umph of her life when she could show
the whistles what q good husband and
useful man he was. Yes, she was sure he
only needed appreciation and encourage
ment; that he had wells Of goodness in
his soul which people in general did not
suspect. Unfortunately for Ellen, Job
had won her to think just as he did about
himself, and she consented with joyous
pride to help to make him happy.


They commenced their married life in
a pretty little white house in the village,
as neat and tasteful abode as any one
could desire. For few days Ellen
thought herself perfectly happy; for Job
declared &c &c her he: .hs. one eve. cared for
him before; that she was the dearest little
wife in the world, and various other pref
ty little speeches, sufficient at any rate to
fill the meek little heart of Ellen Morgan
with rapture But actually before week
had gone by, he came home in passion
and vented his ire on the defenceless head
of his wife. 1t was earlier than the usu-
al hour of his return, and Ellen had not
got supper prepared. Job came in and
looked around very sternly.


"Ellen, where's my supper"


sIt isn't ready, Job; but"


"Not ready? I hate shiftless wo-
man?'


Poor Ellen was ready to cry, but she
controlled herself sufficiently to say, as
she went into the kitchen:


.I'll have it ready in few minutes,
Job"


In an incredibly short space of time she
called him, and he took in the contents of
the supper table at glance.


"Cold bread, when you know | like hot
biscuits, and everything on the same plan.
If there's one thing like better than an
other, that thing you never havel''


Eren's face grew white, but he did not
notice it, for he began hastily to partake
Of the supper he had condemned, doing
full justice to the snowy bread, cold boiled
ham, and clear amber centered tarts set
before him. Then he got up and left the
house and did not return till late in the
evening. 5F4 @


Meantime Ellen, after she had cleared
away the tea things and put everything
in order, went up to her room and sought
earnestly for divine strength to bear pa
tieutly, that che might help him to con-
quer the enemy to their peace. She felt
better and calmer after this, and went
down to the sitting room again.


At the late hour of his return, he found
his dressing gown and slippers toasting
before cheerful fire, and the smiling face
of his wife met him at the door, but the
scowl on his face deepened, and he scolded
her for sitting up for him. aalsffs.


This was only the beginning. For q
year things grew worse and worse, and
Job seemed to think at last that he ought
not to speak kind word at home. The
discouraged wife bore all patiently, and
still hoped for some change in him, which
should make them both happier, but her
face grew thinner, and her large blue eyes
strangely bright.


In little more than year after her
marriage, Ellen gave birth to girl and
died. Job was shocked by her death into
something like human feelings for the ba-
by, and spared no expense in attending to
its needs. Mrs. Cram, widow lady Of
the village, was engaged to take care Of
it. and Job lived by himself, having hired
Dorrance Flynn, an uncouth country
| girl. to do his work and keep his house
Mrs. Cram was a smart, energetic wo-
man, but one of those who can not helI
being So Not for one moment in hel
| life had the woman been still, neither die
she want any one about her. She taughi
Susan, her only daughter, all the myste
ries Of housework with which she was her
self SO familiar. before she had scarcely
entered her teens, and so well had sht
trained her that her hands were nevel
idle,


Like her mother. she was energetic
quick motioned and industrious; but un
like she was gentle and undemonstrative
The little Ellen was given up entirely t
Susan's care,and was taken into her warn
heart and nursed very tenderly. Sh,
learned to love the baby, and when she
noticed how fondly the little curly heat
nestled against her,sh would forget that
1.-THE child was not to be hers always.
] Little Nelly was nearly year old be
fore her father seemed to take any inter
est in her, and then after formal call ont
day, he began to go very often and t
seem very much in love with baby. She
however, was afraid Of her father, ant
would only stay in his arms moment
never voluntarily leaving Susan.


"Baby seems very much attached Il
you, remarked job as he was trying il
vain to coax the little one to him.


Eyes, sir, she does love me, think"


aAnd well she may. These little one
know whom to love, said Job, smiling
at Susan in very meaning way.
| Eyes, she knows ] am much attached