The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-15

ried --"
The remark was broken off by the ab-
rupt entrance "abominable wretch" him
self. Mrs. Washburn rose rs he entered,
and in spite Of the abominable order that
his breath must have exhaled printed
kiss upon his tabacco.stained lips.
The lady "who had been married sew
eral years" was disguised, and after a
few words concerning the weather took
her leave.
Mrs. Washburn was pretty, affection
ate, gentle.hearted wife. Her whole ex-
iStence was bound up with her husband,
as well it might be /; for never was hus-
band more devoted to his wife than he
was. To our mind she was model wife;
none Of your stormy vixens, that set their
hearts upon attaining a point, and will
pull the house down upon your head but
they aoiU attain it.
In her eye, Mr.. Washburn had only
one fault and that was the villainous
habit of smoking, which all her eloquence
had been powerless to overcome. She
didn't "put her foot down." as her friend
Mrs. Volant, had done; for-poor gentle
hearted creature-she couldn't think Of
provoking a quarrel with him, and had
about concluded to make the best of it,
and let him smoke in peace
But there was something so irrcsistibly
funny about Mrs. Volant's plan, that she
determined to try it, and, accordingly, on
the afternoon of the next day, she sent
the Irish girl to the apothecary's shop
for bunch of"Bagdad cigars" Dispos-
ing few Of them in her work basket,
ready for the momentous occasion, her
mind pictured the scene that would ensue
W hen she should light one of them. 1t
W as so funny that she laughed out loud
atthe idea. Wouldn't he be surprised
to see her, who had teased him so much
to leave off smoking, commence the prac-
tice herself! Wouldn't his eye stick out,
when he should see her putting cigar
at her sewing, as he did when he read the
evening paper!
She Was so pleased with the plan, that
she would have put it in execution, even
ifit had been only for the sport it prom
ised her, independently of any good result
which might flow from it. Wouldn't
he beg her to smoke no more! Wouldn't
he be mortified, and wouldn't she win the
day, and glory over his defeat! Wouldn't
he be glad to promise her that he wouldn't
smoke another cigar as long as he lived!
She was so delighted that she could hard
ly contain herself.
Mr.. Washburn came home to tea, and,
as usual when he entered the house, he
gave her a kiss, and q tender greeting.
They were seated at the tea table; Mrs
Washburn was so full of nirth, that she
came near scalding herself with the hot tea
when she poured il out. Her merry, mis-
chievous laugh rang pleasantly on her
husbands ear, who, poor fellow, could have
had no ides of the terrible ordeal through
which he was doomed to pass.
When tea was over, the astral lamp
was transferred to the lightstand, and Mr..
Washbun had stretched himself into
a comfortable position in the large easy
rocking chair, with his legs lazily reposing
in another chair, the everlasting cigar
was produced, lighted, and began to diff
fuse its fragrance through the room.
Mrs. Washburn could hardly control
her inclination to burst into a laugh at
the mere thought of what she was about
to do. Seating herself at the side of the
table opposite her husband, she took from
the work basket, with an air as grave
and solemn as judge one OF the "Bag-
dads" Placing the filthy roll between
her ruby lips, she glanced at her husband.
Now Mr.. Smoker" thought she-it
would have spoiled the joke to have said
tive will see whether you don't alb
andon that nasty habit.
Mr.. Washburn happened to glance at
her; but, contrary to her expec alton, he
manifested no surprise, and went on read
ing the Transcript. .. Z
$50, so, Mr.. Smoker" thought she a.
gain, "you think am joking, do youl
will soon convince you :" and the lady
took taper, and applied a light to
the cigar
But Mrs. Washburn was rether mex
perienced in the modus operandi flight
ing cigar, and she was unable to make
it t"go." She lit another taper, and puffed
,. away with all her might but the Bagdad
was as resohte as the great caiiph himself.
Sho perseyeIed, till her extraordinary
exeriions again attracted the attention OF
Mr. Washburn. "You are lighting the
wrong end my DEAR" said he with The
utmost nonehaience.
allow provoking he isi' thought Mrs.
Washburn. "Why don't he renonstratei'
."You should bits off the twisted end,
and then put il in your mouth" continued
the husband, turning to the paper a.
gain.
Aided by these directions, the LADY
took another cigar, which she succeeded
in lighting. The first taste or the tobacco
smoke was horrible; but she had deter.
mined to be martyr for her hasband's
!, sake; and taking her sewing. she coptin.
ued to puff away ~ she piled her needle,
till certain nausea compelled her 10 =.
bandon the experiment for that time
i Casting the Bagdad into the CRATE, che
began 10 wish shehad not listened 70 Mrs
voIaut "whnt is the matter, my. dear