CHAPTER V. "But pleasures are like poppies spread. That fit ere you can point the place; No man can fetter time or tide." THE change to Nannie Dare from her childhood's home of luxury and idleness to the home her husband provided for her in the north was overwhelmingly great and nothing but her great love and perfect respect for the man, backed up by a vast amount of pride and will, ever could have reconciled her to her circumstances or fitted her into such a groove. She had been surrounded by servants all her life, to come and go for her, to fetch and carry at her beck and call; she had not been allowed to even dress herself without assistance, and of the mysteries of the kitchen she knew absolutely nothing. She had been taught to be purely ornamental, and even that with as little exertion as possible. To begin a life of faithful service as a mechanic's wife-to sweep, dust, make beds and cook, as other mechanics' wives did, was a most unromantic round of duties; and yet she set about learning life's duties, as they presented themselves, very cheerfully and hopefully. But, with her small stock of energy and strength, and no experience, it was a weary work at best. The home of a young mechanic of small income is so utterly unlike the establishment of the man of wealth, with all its conveniences, its fullness of plenty, that it would be disheartening to the woman of experience to try to do. Oh, the blistered hands, the weary feet, the secret tears shed over failures in bread, failures in pies, failures in roasts and stews. But thanks to many kind neighbors and friends who aided and assisted the girl wife, and all honor to the true-hearted man who ate burnt bread or "long pie crust," and overdone or underdone meat, with a never-ending stock of patience, and the encouraging words, "Why, Nannie, this is splendid; you're learning fast;" or, "I've seen much poorer cooking in fine boarding houses;" or, "Don't be discouraged; you see it's a big job to learn to cook." To a hungry man, after a day's hard work, it is no trifle to be obliged to eat bad food, with the added sense of ruined material, wasted means; and if he does bear patiently and keep guard over temper and tongue he is a wise man—a gentleman. For Nannie Holton, raised as she had been, there was excuse for this ignorance; but in how many thousands of cases, among the daughters of laboring men and mechanics, do we find willful ignor ance. It is a swindle for any man's daughter, in these days, to marry either a rich or poor man without being capable of performing, if necessary, any or all of a housekeeper's duties. Thousands of homes are rendered wretched by the pernicious fashion of living the first few years in a boarding-house, or by saddling upon the young husband a host of hired help, with all the ruinous contingencies. Looking at the matter from this standpoint, is it any wonder that scores of young men stand off, afraid of the matrimonial noose? A good deal could be said on this subject which will be left to the moralizing abilities of the reader instead. She had one of the coziest little cottages that could be rented to begin her housekeeping in, and as rapidly as it could be done it was filled up with new, tasty furniture and ornamental things of various kinds. If Colonel Holton had only known this man to whom his daughter had given her hand, he could not, he would not, have chosen a better or a nobler one. Southern chivalry could not furnish a higher type of character. Every wish of hers, every need, was tenderly anticipated, promptly met and supplied; all of hardship or care that he could shield her from he did. The teachings of the Order to which he belonged were such as to insure to her the tender, watchful care of a father, a brother and a lover, all in one. Virtue was the rule by which his life was governed; he was hospitable, generous, loving and faithful. In whom, pray tell, could she find better traits? Money could not supply the deficiency if he were without them, and in comparison to them gold is but dross. The hand and heart of any girl could not be placed in safer keeping than to be entrusted to one who has "Faith in God, Hope in immortality, and Charity to all mankind." But there did come lonely hours when thoughts of the home far away, yearnings to see the dear faces and hear the loved voices, filled the soul with grief, the eyes with tears. Then, with ever watchful care, he planned the pleasure trip to the blue hills of Virginia, laughingly saying to her, "She pineth for a sight of ye darkeys;" or he would bring home tickets for a play, concert or ball, or a present of the last new book, or a sheet of music, or a dainty bouquet of costly southern flowers from the hot-house. Thus the money went, lavishly, and thus no home was saved for the "rainy day" sure to come. But few homes were happier or sunnier; they lived while they lived; and if Frank Dare did sigh in secret, if he chanced to think of what his hard-earned dollars ought to be doing for their future, he never told by word or look-true to his creed, he was tender and gentle to the weak and tender one left at his mercy. Sickness, births and deaths visited their home again and again with all the attending expenses and care; but in all this time of eight or ten years no news to Nannie from home save a few lines once from her sister telling of the death of their aunt. Frequently had they changed their place of residence, and she still flattered herself that the letters she had persisted in writing had been answered, and the answers lost, till finally her own cares and occupations filled her time and thoughts. We are told that unto all men a time is appointed to die. In this world we are surrounded by the indications of decay and death; the strong arm of the bravest must fall powerless before the ravages |