The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-25
How Mary Cured Ter Husband Of
Smoking.

Wos'ci, yct llo SCHo'uI WIZ, oIlcHei lIlaI
any Of the rest, caused shade to res
upon his brow. knew her when Q
srown,up young lady; she was first in
every party of pleasures; (avorile with
oil the gentlemen, yet coquette who
ohener than other, cause a shade to
fall upon onr hearts | knew her. too,
when true hearted woman, she gave her
hand, with her heart in it, TO Richard
Forrest, the editor Of one OF the village
papers. Now Richard was fine fellow,
but like good many other "ncc young
men" had one bad habit--ho would
smoke. This same habit annoyed my
friend Mary quito as much as it would
have done most ladies', but she did not
commence curing him fit as they would
have done, with prayers and tears, en-.
treating him, for ''the love he once bore
her," to give up the noisome weed;' not
she. Mary took plan less thread bare,
and it was something after this wise.
They were boarding, and had nice
room--the second story front. On a
certain evening, just before dark, Mary
busted herself with putting, the room in
perfect order~-placed every chair where
it belonged, arranged the books on the
table, and the mantle ornaments in the
most tasteful manner. After taking a
careful survey o(the room, and satisfying
herself that everything was as it should
be, she went to the bureau and took from
ono of its drawers a small package,
neatly wrapped in tissue popcr-"somc
new jewel, probably, you will say, with
which she intends adorning herself to
meet her lorl.' She carefully unrollcd
the paper, and took from it new, spot
less tobacco ppe; then opening, at one
end, Iillle roll Of carefully sealed sill.
yer paper, she commenced stu1ing the
pipe with Ene,cut tobacco. How
strangely her little white fingers looked
diving into the hateful stuff! The pipe
we'll filled, she laid it carefully on the
table, placed match beside it, and
seated herself to await the coming Of her
better half
Soon she heard the street door open,
and a well known footslep in the hall
below. Quickly lighting the match, she
applied it TO the sweetscented herb in the
pipe, re. seated herself and when the
husband entered, sat quietly by the stove,
wreaths of blue smoke curling gracefully
above her head, which was thrown back
in that peculiar position Of enjoyment
which gentlemen usually assume while
inhaling the weed.
Mr.. F-------had opened the door with
visions Of Mary, smiling face looking
lovingly on him, floating through his
mind. How different the picture than
met his astonished gaze! On hearing the
door open, Mary looked up, and, seeing
her husband, deliberately took the pipe
from her mouth and wished him good
evening" as though nothing had happen.
ed, lhen quietly resumed her smoking
Richard regarded her with mixture Of
surprise and horror for few moments
and then gave vent to his feelings, in
words:
Why. Mary what am to think?-
Have you suddenly lost your senses?
| do not see any strong evidence of
such being the case, answered the lady
addressed; then, as if comprehending the
cause Of his astonishment, she asked, Is
it impossible, Richard, that you did not
know Of M habit Of smoking? Did l.
did none of our family ever tell you?
1t may be we'll here to state that my
friend Mary was not always as scrupI.
lous in alhermg to truth as she might
have been; at least she did not think it
very Objectionable, under some crcum.
stances, 'to do evil that good might
come
Each particular hair of Richards head
seemed to stand on end, mpatng
the tale unlolded by that word habit
The only outward manifestation he made
Of the state Of his feelings was emphatic
accompanied by look of
pious horror.
Why impossible, my dear'sir? Hafl
acquired the habit lately, should only
have been treading in your footsteps,
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