Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-09-11
THE BROKEN PROMISES,
OR MARRYING TWICE

"But physical ailments, Mr.. Tompkins,
admonish me that am not long for this
world and do wish, husband, you would
make me promise. know shall not be
here long, my dear ;''-her voice grew very
plsin,ive, and Mr.. Tompkins was forced TO
hear her.
"Well, what is it that must promise, to
make you happy, wiie-anything reasona-
BILE ?"
"Now, that is the way you always an-
swer me so cavaierly, so unieeling, and
in coarse way tell you again, shall
no. be here long-you are rugged man,
Mr.. Tompkins, and know but liI.le Of my
physical ails, tell you.
"Pho, nonsense, you are nervous wife.
Go out, take the air, brace up a little, and
the vapors will quit their hold "
"But that promise husband -
"Well, now for it,"
"Will you promise me sincerely, as God
spares your life, if | should die, that you
nerer aciH marry again. You know how
many girls would be glad TO step in my
shoes how many widows would like the
privilege of setting in my drawing rooms~-
those beautiful rooms all hung in tapestry,
and those bright chandeliers suspended, just
as good as new, if they were bought a. auc-
lion. My worsled work 100 oh, could
not bear to know that anybody should ever
own it after me. Blu, am going to bet
ter place trust. Heaven, they say, is paced
wuh go7d-bul j, will be hard TO leave you,
husband, but know you will soon follow.
Now, promise me faithfully, tina, you will
never, never marry again, but keep every
thing just as leave 1t, which shall be in
good order-will you?"
Con condition, wife that if should die,
you will observe the same injunction. You
know how many rich men are dancing at
tendance on rich widows; how many who
have lost their wives would like 10 wear my
coats, pants and satin vests. Now, you will
keep them always hanging in the closets,
just as left them, and never let my wrought
slippers be put upon another mans foot''
"Cer,ainly, Mr.. Tompkins; i; but that event
will never happen in my day. You will live
long after me-"
The promises being thus mutually ex-
changed, Mrs. Tompkns seemed to revive.
She procured bottle or two of billers for
hypochondTiacs, and really grew so much
better as TO propose journey. The au-
,umn iolowing, she broke out in European
fever, and MIR. and Mrs. Tompkns were
registered as having taken passsg ge to Liver
pool.
New sights so engrossed her attention,
new faces so won her heart, new cookery
so improved her appetite, that Mrs Tomp-
kins emerged from pale, thin sharp featur-
ed woman to a healthful plump English
lady and after two years residence, when
she returned, how her neighbors stared as
they accosled her with, "can this be uou.
Mrs. Tompkins -
But Providence and man are not alike in
their desires. Mr.. Tompkins had grown
thin, had cough,a pain through the sboul-
ders, little appetite, and great debility. He
was consumplively inclined, but remarka ably
resigned to his situation. And now gossIps
abounded; some affirmed he had lived
wearisome life with his wife-some said
they could tell things, but would no,-oth-
ers who were in her confidence shook their
heads, and said they never crimina,ed church
members-for Mrs. Tompkins was very
pious woman. But at length the man died
and the bereaved widow lamented loudly,
and begged the sexton to see that all things
were done in good style, and insisted TO
know if he really believed the body could
be kept two days. She sent for sn artist,
had his picluretakcn, bought the finest