“We set up housekeeping in the West. My husband was devoted to me and we could never thank our ‘good Samaritan,’ as we called him, enough for helping us. As you well know, a Southern bud soon bursts into a full grown flower, consequently I was not long in developing into a full fledged woman, and in spite of my tender years, I felt the full importance that devolved upon me, when, after twelve months of wedded life, a baby girl came to brighten our home.
“My husband had not entered into business of any kind, he having plenty of money, and as he said, cared to do nothing but love his ‘little girl.’ Happy? I was as happy as an angel and sometimes think that the memory of those days keeps me alive now; again, the thought almost crushes me. I shall never forget the first cloud that hovered over my sunlit career of wifehood and motherhood. It was in the evening of one of the days of the great race meet. I was waiting for my husband to come home, sitting in the window as was my custom. It was after nightfall, but many of the pleasure seekers of the day had extended the revelry into twilight sport. Handsome equipages, loaded with gaily dressed women and well groomed men, rolled by one after another. Some were singing, while some more fortunate carried buglers and other musicians. I had not attended the races, on account of not wishing to leave the baby, but Harry, my husband, had gone. We had been invited by our old friend and while Harry gently protested that he would not go a step without me, he finally consented after considerable persuasion on my part. At nine o’clock in the evening my weary vigil was rewarded. A four-in-hand drawing a handsome tally-ho drew rein in front of our home. I could not see any of the faces and the first intimation I had of Harry’s being in the crowd was a remark some one addressed to him, saying, ‘It’s all dark, Hal, old man, nobody at home, don’t get out.’
“Then I heard him say, ‘Oh yes, I know she is here waiting for me, and I must leave you.’
“Then a jangle of maudlin voices, one saying one thing and one another, but among the many things that were said were, ‘Goodnight, sweetheart,’ and ‘Here, kiss me once more before you leave.’ ‘Be sure and come up tomorrow.’
“I could stand no more; I moved from my position to a point where I could touch the button which turned on the electric lights, then I heard this:
“‘Hist, sh—be still,’ and then in the brave and manly tones, I heard him thank his host. The host asked to be remembered to me, and to assure me that he was sorry I could not be with them, etc.,—then respectable, cheery good nights, were the parting salutes.
“Harry came into the house and as was his custom, took me in his arms. I discovered that he had been drinking, but uttered no word of reproach, neither did he offer to explain. Next day after he had gone down town, I sent a note to our old friend which he answered in person. I begged him not to take Harry on any more escapades. He laughingly answered that a man must see a little of the world; I did not like his manner, and frankly asked him to tell me all about the affair.
“‘There’s nothing to tell,’ said he, ‘except that as you know, Harry is a fine fellow and a good entertainer, and I needed him to help to take care of that jolly little party and I must say that he was a success. Ah, yes—Harry is a prime favorite, and you, my little girl, should be proud to know that since he has been so unfortunate as to lose every dollar of his own that he can yet be of such service to me that I can afford to pay him a princely sum for his good qualities.’
“‘Lost every dollar! why, what do you mean Mr. ⸺?’
“‘I mean that unfortunate speculation has caused your husband to—to—Ah, well never mind, little girl, I did not come here to tell you bad news, but, rather to comfort and assist you. Come, come, cheer up,’ he said, as he laid his hand on my bowed head in a kindly manner.