Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-23
Kate Huntley's Exasgcra.ioa.

4
little Mrs. Huntley. to her dress make
who was measuring silk by the yarc
thousands and plenty"
| Just then she caught q sly glanc
from her young husband, as he locke
over his pa per. She knew IL was in re
buke for her exsegeration. so she said
laughing-''I cam, help it, William, IL
was to die !; so just let me talk as
/ please /; don't hinder you.'
William Huntley had never beer
pleased with this peculiarity Of hi
pretty bride. The habit Of exaggeratiol
he knew led to establishment, and tha
10 unscrupulous falsehood. Ever sine,
their wedding day he had tried seriousl,
10 check this propensity. But, alas
he found like many. another lord .
tcreation, that
When woman wont. she won't,
And there's the end ont"
Never was the young and handsom.
Kate Huniley more volubie, or in bette
spirits than TO day. The magic OF flint
colors and rich silks, and the winnins
small talk of the little DIRE SIS. maker, who
was a droll genius in her way, had SCI
her tongue on hinges, and she INDUCED
her beset,ing habit with perfect aban.
don
The Huntleys were to haze small
party in the evening, and Mr.. II. deter
mined TO try an experiment which he
had long had in contemplat ton. So
when the ladies had Assem- bled, and the
gentlemen were fast dropping in. with
she rest came young Huntley, lookiue
quite flushed and nervous.
why ate you so late, Mr. Huntley -
asked his wife, looking up with mock
displeasure.
MY dear, ii it had been TO make my
last will and testament, I couldn't have
come sooner" ne said earnestly. I've
been working like dray horse thou.
sands Of clerks to oversee, ,weaty cart
loads 10 ship of millions Of accounts
to attend, besides IFS been hotter than
six ovens all day"
by this time every eye was upon him; |;
sstonishment and mifth predominant !;
but our young husband took il coolly,
wiped his heated brow, and looked as un-
concerned and innocent as il be had said
nothing to attract attention but his
wife's rosy cheeks grew roster.
what do you think Of L. new book!"
asked gentleman. as the conversa,icn n
turned on literature.
" Heavenly !" exclaimed nuntley.
rolling his eyes, and casting half fur.
tive glance towards his wife. "lr sets
me in perfect raptures-I feed on am
brosia-I drink nectar. Ii | could see
:he su,hor, should certainly take my
heart in my hand and give it to him!
A smile wen, round the asse bly,.
"By the way. I've been round to AL
lens new house." he added. following
up his advantage. Happy Allen! wha,
a situation! soft. balmy airs blowing
over salt marsh loaded with rapors-a
palace Of house-two stories high and
painted yellow-glorious trees. cut dow n
within loot Of the ground-sptendid id
garden. with one rose bush, and wills
derness OF pig-w weed-charming view
ga;s on every side-delish, pond
peeping here and there under the thick
greeu scum and duck-weed-I should
think Allen would be as happy-well,
cant thiuk of anything less than a
king"
By this time the company were pretty
well initiated into Huntley's secret
The ladies laughed family, FOR they
were every one Of them guilty in q
grea.er or less degree Of hyperbole-as
perhaps you may be, reader. They
rallied. however, and jested with thei,
tormen,or, but he sustained his par,
admirably throughout the evening.
Every song that was sung bid fair to Sc
him in raptures. Ii he .old the truth
he was intending to die twenty times
transported out Of himself with JOY
twice as often never was as delighted
in all his life, every five minutes-ant
by the way he risked his thousands one
would have thought him cashier Of thu
bank of England. Everything was .'sub
lime' or - horrible every woman
"beautiful as an angel" or homely as
"hedge- fence"
In vain the pretty wife endeavored b,
all the masonic signs ofwedlock 10 stol
her roguish husband aud she coul,
scarcely keep her equanimity till tn
last guest had gone. Then she burs
into passion Of tears and s.would no
be comforted"
'.Come. Katy. tell me how il al
looked and sounded" said Huntley, hal
relen,ing ths, he had vexed her SO.
"You know you looked ridiculous.
she answered through her sobs: "yo
K klow you mortified me hnf TO deatk
| -mother-had-bee yo
wouldn't have dared 10 treat me so.
shall never hold up n,y head iu societ
again. though, should die"
Nov. Katy."ssid her husband, de,
pairing at the failure Of his efforts. Tho
do you think you sounded yesterday whe
you declared your neck was broke
when you tripped over bush--or whe
your dress maker fitted your dress yc
said il was mile too large-were n,
those expressions fully as Ridiculous
mine?"
Kate rejected moment. 81 don
sec as can help IT," she said. pet,ishl
live talked SO ever since ! sUas born
Ills there any need Of such extrav
, gance. Katy come. let your good sen
, answer"
"Why. no, suppose not" answer'
, Katy. only pou,ing very little, "b
,, can't help it-every body talks so."