Year: 1872

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that she must not say too much on Satur-
day night. Taking up the money, she went
into the bedroom to put on her bonnet and
shawl. On looking to see how much he had
given her, she was surprised to see some
three or four shillings more than usual.


81 wonder whether he knows how much
he has given me-" thought Mary but afraid
if she returned to ask, he might want it
back, she quickly passed down stairs into
the street, fearing every moment that he
would be after her for the extra shillings.
She had not gone far before she heard some
one running fast behind her, and thinking
to be sure 1t was he, she looked round, but
found, to her great joy, that it was only
boy. SO on she went, and being thrifty
body, who knew how to lay out money in
the best way, she quickly visited the differ
ent shops, and bought the needful things
that her family would want during the
coming week; adding to her store few
comforts which the extra shillings enabled
her to buy. When she came back with her
basket well filled from market, she found
from what the children told her, that
John started almost directly after her, and
had not returned, so she feared lest, after
all, he had gone in search of her. When
he did come in nothing was said on either
side. Thus the night ended with that Gu
rious coldness which drink often causes be-
tween man and wife.


Sunday was spent in Johns usual manner.
In the morning he went out for 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 a 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 at home without
any change. But, John, not liking to re-
turn home sooner than usual, went on Mon
day to 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 speak
ers 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 quiet corner of the work
shop after receiving them. Looking at the
sovereign and half which lay in his hand
he said, 1t is many long day since l
could say you both belonged to me; and
now have got you I'll take good care 1
don't part with you unless 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,
"Tll 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 week s
mistake.


When he had nearly finished his meal he
said, "Well, Mary, you'll be wanting to go
a marketing directly Isuppose; 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.
"Ah p she thought, che has now stopped
the overplus of last week." but thinking by
the light of the fire it looked rather yellow,
she went to the window (for 1t was narrow
street in which they lived, where the day
light never fairly entered the room, except
by accident, or when streak of sunlight
shot its rays down among them). I" Can it
be possible?" she thought; sovereign and
halfp as with an utterance of surprise
she asked, "Is all this for me, John9'


eyes" said John, "and hope you'll
try and spend it WELL"


~ 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; ~ have done
wrong long enough, and am going to try
and do right for the future"


"But---l" said Mary.


"Neyer mind any more questions now, y
said John; "get your bonnet and shawl,
and let US both 60 10 market"