Edna's Sacrifice and Other Stories by Frances Henshaw Baden
page 41 of 53 (77%)
page 41 of 53 (77%)
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ale, I notice," said Uncle Hiram.
"Yes, I wish he did not; a man has no idea how such little things, as he thinks them, draw upon his purse." "I know, I know!" said Uncle Hiram. And he no longer wondered at the difference in Charley's and Henry's style of living. And so he had a good talk with Charley, and showed him how Henry, with the same salary, could keep two servants and beautify his home, and he not be able "to keep his head above water," to use his own expression. "Yes, my boy, the cause is just this--the difference between _temperance_ and _total_ abstinence. You'll try it now, will you not, for your wife's sake?" said Uncle Hiram. "Indeed I will, sir, and with many thanks to you for opening my eyes," answered Charley, who really loved his wife, but was thoughtless, and never for a moment had considered himself at all responsible for Nellie's failing health, strength and beauty. When Uncle Hiram's next visit was made, he saw, before he entered the house, that Charley had kept his word. And when Nellie's joyous greeting was sounding in his ear he knew then that all was "just as it should be" with Nellie, as well as Ada. And the grateful little wife knew to whom she was indebted for the happy change, and blessed Uncle Hiram for it. |
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