Smyrna times., 1855-04-11


on his coat and hat.
Yes; though dare say it is lions story, |
all in your favor
'Well, | confess it is; but is true one
There was young Journcyman Printer, an old
friend and crony of mine before was married, |
q have no cronies now, Anna, but you,) who
left New York last fall to go to New Orleans
to work in the Picayune office believe. He
had just been married to handsome, roguesh
girl, who nearly broke Toms heart half dozen
times before she would consent to have him.
Poor fellow such game of coquetry she play
cd him, till really, for fear of being hanged out
right for murder, she married him, and made
him, from the most miserable wretch, to the
happest dog in the world. Well, as | was
saying, he was going to New Orleans to live.
lie had lain by nearly three hundred dollars,
and with this sum and his beautiful wife, who
hated all Odd Fellows, he started one bright
morning for his destination
IF she hated all Odd Fellows Robert, she
was worse than am, for don't hate you,' she
said, with demure simplicity that made him
laugh outright.
Don't you hate me, Anna well ought to
feel marvellously glad, Anna, that you do not,
seeing am an Odd Fellow. But | don't mean
to say that Toms wife hated all the Odd Eel
lows, for in that case she would have hated
Tom. mean to say that she didn't like the
order any more than-than you like your old
rbbon!'
Now, Robert, give me the sixty-two and
half cents-why won't you : she asked win
ningly.
What the deuce made me mention the rib
bon again! Well, hear about Tom, and forget
it! 1t so happened that in the stage to Pitts
burg there were several Odd Fellows, aud two
strong opposers of the Order. They got to
disputing, and as Toms wife sided with the
latter, they disputed with the greatest energy !;
for when we men can get woman on our side
we feel that we are more than half right =
Toms wife heard so many praises from the Odd
Fellows of what they had done, that she be-
came quite incredulous, and would not listen
with any patience at a long defence from Tom
wit and merry laughter, fairly silenced her less
eloquent husband.
AT length they reached Cincinnati, and after
staying there one night, were to take a boat in
the morning for Louisville. About o'clock in
the evening, Tom came running into his wife s
room aghast, and cried with horror
Kate, have lost my pocket-book. ] have
had my pocket picked. | missed it after leav-
ing an auction store. We are lost and ruined
/ | have not Il dollar and half in the world
His wife did not seem to feel the least con.
Germ. Her countenance, instead OF rejecting
the horror of his own, was perfectly tranquil
He for an instant forgot his loss to gaze on hel
with amazement, which was rapidly growing
into anger.
What is the matter with you ! he cried, un
able to restrain his Indignation at her indlffer
ence at his great loss. Why don't you fee
for me and say something! tell you, Kate,
am utterly ruined. Two hundred and thirt!
dollars-all we had in the world And .theI
to see you so - cool about it,
Don't swear, dear Tom,' she said, with th
most provoking serenity.
Swear! don't know which feel most, m,
loss or your perfect uncOncern'
sWhy should | feel concern, Tom! YO
have only to apply to the Lodges here and &c
; double the sum you have lost. Now is an oI
portunty for testing the boasted charity of you
Order! Our loss will by tomorrow be NOR
than made. My Indifference is my perfec
faith in the liberalty of your Order to mem
bers in distress Why should | feel concern
This was spoken with an appearance of Sit
cerity that amazed Tom. He knew not wha
: to do or say. But the end Of it was, that
that very night, while the Lodges were opel
went to one of them, and being admitted, lai
> his case before the proper officer. 1t was q
: once taken into consideration, and he was tol
y that an answer should be sent him before te
o'clock the next morning.
AT precisely that hour person arrived, al
u handed Tom note in the presence of his wifi
: 1t con .ained one hundred and fifty dollars, Wi
. the request simply, that he would acknowledG
the receipt of it to the person who bore 1t.
Tom did SO, and then held the money up
:, his wife exultingly.
,s 'Stay, sir said she to the Odd Fellow, wi
was leaving. Tom, look at this" she erie
ID displaying his pocket book with the conten
. untouched, before his astonished eyes.
what can this mean! My pocket-bo
ed found = he cried with joy.
1t was never lost, Tom. Sir she said, q
ID, dressing the stranger, have been incredible
We about the benefits of Odd Fellowship.
i'll husband is an Odd Fellow, and last night
ed solved would put to test the benevolence
he had so much boasted OF. Before he went ou
nd purloined his pocket-book. He supposed
had lost it, and was urged by me to apply
he your Lodge, for wished to see if he would
tlv aided, perfect stranger here, unknown t.
L. III