dinner lately, and shown me such a kind face, I
thought I would venture upon a little familiarity.
It was only to lay my hand upon his arm, but it
made him very angry, and I thought he would strike
me. Am I then actually hateful to him? or is he so
proud he cannot bear the thought of my having the
right to touch him? I looked in the glass when he
went out. I _am_ plain and homespun, that's a
fact. Even my red cheeks are gone, and the dimples
which once took his fancy. I shall never lay the
tip of a finger on him again."

"FEBRUARY 13, 1873.--What shall I cook for him
to-day? Some thing that he likes. It is my only
pleasure, to see how he does enjoy my meals. I
should think they would choke him; they do me
sometimes. But men are made of iron--ambitious
men, anyhow. Little they care what suffering they
cause, so long as they have a good time and get
all the praises they want. _He_ gets them more and
more every day. He will soon be as far above me as
if I had married the President himself. Oh,
sometimes when I think of it and remember he is my
own husband, I just feel as if some awful fate was
preparing for him or me!"

"JUNE 7, 1873.--Would he send for me if he was
dying? No. He hates me; he hates me."

"SEPTEMBER 8, 1874.--Craik was here to-day; he is
just going North to earn a few dollars in the
logging business. What a keen eye he has for a boy
of his years! I shouldn't wonder if he made a
powerful smart man some day. If he's only good,
too, and kind to his women-folks, I sha'n't mind.
But a smart man who is all for himself is an awful
trial to those who love him. Don't I know? Haven't
I suffered? Craik must never be like him."

"DECEMBER 21, 1875.--One thousand dollars. That's
a nice little sum to have put away in the bank. So
much I get out of my husband's fame, anyhow. I
think I will make my will, for I want Craik to
have what I leave. He's a fine lad."

"FEBRUARY 19, 1876.--I was thinking the other day,
suppose I did die suddenly. It would be dreadful
to have the name of Clemmens put on my