Year: 1872




he did come in nothing was said on either
side. Thus the night ended with that
curious coldness which drink often causes
between man and wife.


Sunday was spent IN Johns usual man.
ner. In the morning he went out for a
walk, and after dinner stayed at home to
read the newspaper. When the shades
of evening gathered around, he strolled
out and did not return until after 10
o'clock. This being regular thing with
him, no notice was taken of it. Yet Mary
thought John quiet and dull and once
ventured to ask him kindly whether he
was well. AS he said he was all right,
she did not venture to question him any
more about it, thinking it best to wait
and see what was up. All the next week
passed off ct home without any change.
But, John, not liking to return home
sooner than usual, went on Monday to a
temperance meeting. He was so much
interested with what he heard, that when
another meeting was announced to be
held not far from there the next evening,
he decided to go; and from what the
speakers said of the good it had done
for them and their families, he signed the
pledge.


On the next Saturday, when the bell
rang, and John went to the Office for his
wages, he felt thrill of joy run through
him, as he retired to a qniet corner of the
workshop after receiving them. Looking
at the sovereign and half which lay in
his hand, he said, "It is many long day
since | could say you both belonged to
me; and now I have got you I'll take
good care don't part with you unlesss l
get plenty out of you" Clasping the
money in his hand, and putting it and its
contents into his pocket, you might have
heard him say, "1'll buy my own cherries
that | will"


He at once started off home, which he
reached of course even sooner than the
week before. Mary was doubly pleased
to see him, and soon placed the tea before
him. and hustled about the room, doing
her best to keep the children quiet. She
felt once or twice almost on the point Of
saying how pleased she was, but checked
herself, lest he might, when giving her
the money, stop some for what she thought
the last weeks mistake.


When he had nearly finished his meal
he said, "Well, Mary, you'll be wanting
to 90 marketing directly, [ suppose ;
there's your money" throwing it in her
lap.


She felt as if her heart was ready to
sink as she took the money in her. hand
''Ahl" she thought, "he has soon stopped
the overplus of last week. but thinking
by the light of the fire it looked rather
yellow, she went to the window (for it
was narrow street in which they lived,
where the daylight never fairly entered
the room, except by accident, or when a
streak of sunlight shot its rays down
among them). "Can it be possible 2"
she thought; sovereign and half" as
with an utterance of surprise she asked,
"Is all this for me, John2"


yes" said John, "and | hope you'll
try and spend it well.


q hope you haven't done any thing
wrong to get it, JOHN" said Mary, the
tears standing in her eyes.


"No, my lass" said John, while his
heart trembled with emotion; 81 have
done wrong long enough, and am going
to try and do right for the future"


"But-" said Mary.


"Never mind any more questions now" :"
said John; "get your bonnet and shawl,
and let us both go to market"


Mary did not need telling second time
to get ready. But she kept all the while
wondering how it was to be accounted
for. However, while she was tying her
strings, she resolved that she would quiet
ly wait until John thought proper to give
her an explanation. Bidding Sally and
Tommy take care of the other children
and put them to bed, and to be sure and
mind the house, they went out together
to market.


On the road John briefly told her all.
and the decision he Lad come to, and
asked her to forgive him for the past, and
help him to do better in the time to come.
To all of which of course, Mary listened
with trembling, yet joyful interest. Their
conversation was soon stopped by their
coming to the first place that they should
call at, which was the butchers, who,
when he saw them together, ceased cry
ing, "What will you buy2" For"
thought he "they won't want much. A
small joint that every body else leaves, or
some pieces in yonder corner at al. a
pound" So he turned round to look at
his stock of meat with his back towards
John and Mary.


He was soon aroused by hearing Johns
voice, 81 say, guv'nor, what's this leg of
mutton a pound2" On looking round he
saw John in the act of handling the joinl
of meat.


"The idea of your asking such ques-
tom" thought the butcher. But quick
as thought he said, Eight pence apound
to you!"


take it down and see what it weighs, :,
said John.


Yes thought the butcher to himself,
"I'll weigh it, and that will settle you,
know"


"It weighs just eight pounds, and comes
to five shillings and four pence"


"Now you are done," thought the
butcher.


"rll have it." said John.


"Yes," thought the butcher, when
you've paid for it,"


Here, Mary" said John, "give him
the money" seeing the butcher looking
rather doubtful at them both.


Mary pushed her finger inside her old
glove and brought ont the soverereign,
and laid it on the butchers block as care
fully as if she was afraid of rubbing all
the gold off.


The butcher watched every movement,
ond thOuuht that oil this care was only