The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-10-17

tween her thumb and finger. Her courag
was fast waning, but she thought Of her re
solution, and adding, "where there's vii
there's way" in moment was smoking
away like one long practsed. A half houl
passed, and the cigar was nearly finished
when she began to grow violently sick
ooh! that filthy cigar, how III it made me.
But the next day her bad feelings were gone
and she found that or the second attempt
they troubled her but little.
Thus she proceed cautiously, designing to
expose to her husband her new formed habit
! in manner unintentional so soon as it be-
came confirmed one, and she could en-
JOY a" fine cigar" as we'll as Frederick Ar
nOld!
"Where in the world did this come from?"
said Mr.. Arnold one day, addressing his wife,
while with the toe Of his boot he kicked
from under the sofa an empty cigar box.
"Is it not your own ?" she responded with
an innocent gaze.
mine! no indeed. never bought such
box In my life" STOPPING, and cautiously
peeping underneath, as if he expected to
make another discovery, he exclaimed, "As
l live here is another empty box! no, not
empty, for here are three whole cigars in it !!
who could have brought them hcre:"
You might have done so, think, " said
the lady with a merry laugh.
/" / might have, could have, but rouM not
have Uttered up our neat little sitting room
in this manner" said Fred.
Would not:' and Maggie's eyes opened
very wide
No" returned Fred, very emphatically
The mystery of the boxes could not be
unfokied. A week afterward Fred came
IN ton lao n.
Pectng to ! ave town on the subsequent
day, and in consequence few arrangements
were to be made. His return was unex-
pected to Maggie, who was indulging herself
with cigar. Fred had hardly opened the
street door ere the aroma of the fragrant
weed reached his olfactories
Some friend of mine, | presume" tho't
he, as he pushed back the partly open do
Of the sitting room. But what a sight met
his gaze There sat his charming little
wife smoking cigar in the most unlaGyike
manner.
"Do my eyes deceive me, said be, or
is it you, my own wife, really smoking a
cigar"
"Oh, II" stammered Maggie, in evil
dent confusion, that is, have certainly
become a smoker"
You don't say that you really love this
habit said Fred scornfuly.
" Yes, yes. said Maggie carelessly, "the.e
cigars are d-,ich:iul-so fragrant and aro-
matte, SO soothing to troubled mind, that
I-I-actually do not blame you men for
INDUCING yourselves in such pleasant ha-
b:t. All, wives know not how much they
ask when they insist upon Their husbands
reliB9uishing their favOr;. cigars-just to
humor foolish capriciousness, To think,
Fred, that | have been so unjust and cruel
as to urge you thus is a constant yexation to
me; ; but TO atone for the past, dear, let me
now light for you this fragrant cigar. Now
put on your slippers, smoking cap and dress
ing gown, and having yielded yourself to
the warm enhancement Of nicely cushion
ed arm chair, let all trouble fer the future,
all care and anxiety for the present vanish
by the influence of this soul-soo,hing, care
dispe!ing. charming cigar"
a Ids-nfee ~ Pc, ncinns filthy habit:
She will hereafter think Of nothing else but
Havana cigars - muttered Fred between his
teeth.
He had stood all this time upon the sill of
the door where his steps had been arrested
by the unusual sight, nor had he moved
from the spot until the voice of his wife
again recalled his thoughts, saying:
Come, the chair is ready-cigar and all.
"Never y shouted he; never again will
l place within my lips that intolerable nui-
sance-a cigar"
Maggie started back the picture of alright
" Never again smoke a cigar?" echoed she,
coolly placing the protftred one within h"r
own lips; but Fred snatched it away. For
some time nothing was said. Fred was the
first to speak
IL did not think | was teaching you so
bad habit" said he; how disgraceful
it is,'
"Oh, don't blame yourself that | have
found out what is pleasant" said Maggie,
But | am in earnest about this matter"
said Fred. "Wil you leave off smoking?"
How unreasonable :" exclaimed Maggie.
g The fact is, have smoked so long it would
be very hard thing to leave it off now. In
deed cannot promise"
$50 long," said her astonished husband.
" How long?'
"Oh-a number of months, should think"
replied Maggie.
"Strangc that should not have found it
out before" said Fred. THE empty boxes
and half smoked cigars lying about are now
accounted for. But you have not answered
my first question. VIII you leave off smok-
ing:"
"Well, Fred, will you first set me the ex.
ample:"
THAT will do with all my heart, q" he re-
piled
Then you have my promise also; and
may depend on my keeping it"
"Wel said, my brave little wife," return
ed Fred, joyfuly.
Six months after the reformation was
complete.
Frederick one day, observed to Maggie, as
he laid down paper containing long es-
say upon the effects Of the errors Of tobacco,
and which he had been reading te her, al
am thankful that have given up its use"
Suddenly looking up he continued
~ believe, Maggie, you have never told
me hou you happened to fall into the habit
of smoking"
"No, believe not, replied Maggie, "but
very much, l suppose, as other persons
learn bad practice"
Frederick Arnold never returned to his
smoking. Whether he ever admitted that
his wife cured him of the habit, or whether
he knew he had been instrumental in saving
her from an inveterate smokers fate, it mat
tiers not, so long as the end was gained.
Thus disappeared forever the only cloud
that had ever arisen on their matrimonial
sky; and pleasantly and peacefully they
now journey oh the way of life, plucking
only thornless roses, and basking in the sun.
shine.
ABOUT JOHN RANDoLPH-Randolp was
in tavern, lying on a sofa in the parlor,
waiting for the stage to come to the door.
A dandifed chap stepped into the room
with whip in his hand, just come from .
drive, and, standing before the mirror, ar
ranging his hair and collar, quite uncon-
scious of the presence of the gentleman on
the Sofa After atttudnizing a while, he
turned to 60 out, when Mr.. Randolph asked
him, "Has the Stage Gomez" "Stage, sir
stag gel" said the fop; "Fve nothing to do