The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-02-18

~ " . WnAlS tLfcIS may uS y
war" where the fault is all::o IN one side, but thi
is not generally the case. IF all the wars of thi
description could be thoroughly sifted down, j
would be found that the whole trouble has result
ed from some slight cause to begin with, though
this might not always be the case. 1t is anus
ing as we'll as mortifying to observe how sympa-
thy can sway the public mind in regard to such
matters, and how ready people are to denouncs
this one or that one, according as mere sympathy
may dictate.
Among my early friends was Ned Cruden. He
was a steady, industrious, noble-hearted fellow,
and one of the most faithful and true friends.
Among our schoolmates was a girl named Abby
Bicknell- She was a kind playmate, a warm
hearted companion, and a good-natured, loving,
accommodating friend. When she grew up she
became Ned Cruden's wife, and the newly mar
ried couple moved away.
Some years passed, and we that had been
schoolmates in youth rad become separated, and
mid new scenes and new associations the friends
of earlier years were gradually passing from
memory, when, one spring, business called me to
the village of L., in Vermont. 1 had been
there some days, and was entering a store one
afternoon, when / met a man coming out whose
countenance was familiar. He passed on with
out noticing me, and 1 went into the store. For
some time my mind was busy trying to recall the
face I had Just seen; but ere l could solve the
question, my attention was called to a CONVERSE
ton which was going on among a number of men
VIII "a Ou cDu1C OOACc anu "a OAS SO4ANA
of the store.
"I know anybody wouldn't suspect such a
thing to look at him. said a dried-up man who
was smoking a pipe; /" but it's a fact. l had it
from his neIt-door neighbor. He actually kicked
his wife out of the house only three days ago."
"Oh. they live drefful unhappy" chimed in a
gawkyish-looking fellow. who reminded me of an
old cider barrel. "Ned beats her and kicks her
the worst kind. One day when / was there to
work-ye see, we'd Jest gone in to dinner-I seed
Ned take her by the nap of the neck an chuck
her into the little bedroom. By mitey, he was
savage, now, you'd better believe"
"Well, 1 guess his wife amt one of the best
women as ever was remarked the third speaker.
"Ge-whittaker / reckon she aint,'' exclaimed
q youthful smoker. "My eyes, shouldn't / like
TO have the handling of that woman, bout a
speaker, rather obviously.
do? Why, I'd trim her down. I'd larn
her manners"
So reckon she'd larn you manners, or else take
the hair out of yer head observed another.
$. Why, I tell ye she's a perfect satan-a real she
devil,-when she gifts agoin'."
l stood and listened to the conversation, and
ere long l made out that they were talking about
Ned Cruden and then 1 knew it must have been
Ned whom 1 met in the doorway. l was as
sured. from what 1 heard, that Ned and his wife
lived unhappily together, and the thing surprised
me nos q i1ltle. Ii Neu OruQen anu ADDy DICK
nell made an unhappy match, then what sort OF
people must be required for a happy one. thought
to myself. l knew that Ned was a proud-spir-
tied, Independent fellow, but then what possible
quality could Abby have that should come in
contact with this? I-could think of nothing.
In short, began to discredit the truth of whatI
mad heard.
On the very next day I found where Ned lived,
md called upon him. 1 found him in his barn,
Ind he was glad to see me, and after a while his
oy increased beyond all thought Of care and
rouble.
sc And how is Abby ?" 1 asked, after we had
on various other topics.
His coUntenance fell in a moment, but l could
zee that he was struggling to hide his real feel
ngs from me.
30, she's $3.50, " he replied at length. "Shem
e glad to see YOU"
In a little while we went TO the house, and when
saw Abby / was at first struck with the won
rous change that had been wrought in her coun-
enance. She had grown older, to be sure, but
hen she looked twenty years older than when l
lad last seen her before. 1t required but a sim
lie glance for me to see that there was difficulty
omewhere. At length, however, after Abby had
warmed up, she was as kind and genial as of
and her eyes sparkled with the same old
re.
1t was now in the forenoon, and they would
ot listen to my going away that day. Abby as
urtd me that they had room for true friends, and
eclared that l should not escape her so easily as
D come and 60 on the same day. l had no par
icular business to call me away, and as soon as I
Tas assured that I should have a pleasant visit, / +
greed to stop. The afternoon I spent with Ned
long the trout brook, and the evening we spent
{ home.
When I went to bed 1 had made up nv mind
hat Ned and his wife were two good souls, and
nat they ought to live happily together. And
ct I knew that they did not. Awake to every
,ot opd rroficn I hod eaop opor,rh 70 occnro mo
they were miserable at times. Icould trans
tie every look, and / knew what it meant. /
all the while how Ned's thoughts were run
ing while he was silently wishing that his wife
ould always be as good as she was then. And
could read Abby's every thought while she was
fishing that her home might ever be as pleasant.
There was only one disagreeable thing in the
ouse to me. and that was the strong stencil of
smoke that peryaded every part of it.
ven my chamber smelled so strong of it that /
as forced 70 sit at the open window some time I
efore retiring. IL
On the following morning, after breakfast, l ]
ent out with Ned TO the barn, and / resolved to {
ask him the question that lay upon me with a |
ainful force. / had the best Of motives, for I q
slieved | could help him. Moreover, we used {
he most intimate, and I knew he would not
Ike offence; so I preached the matter.
Ned, you will excuse me-, but [ must ask you
few questions" [
He looked at me uneasily, as though ne knew :
hat was coming.
81 heard some strange stories in one of the
ores day before yesterday, and I must know the
nth of them. / know you will pardon me. for
assure you l have only a generous motive in
Thereupon I went on and told him what I had
card. Ned looked like one stricken.
IS And has it come to this ?'' he uttered, clasp
e his hands.
"To WHAT" I asked, fearing he was offended
ecause / had spoken of it.
"To be talked of publicly thus" he answered.
:" 1t has, Ned" I said as kindly as I could. at
he same time taking his hand. "And now you
tell me all. You and Abby were once nv
est friends, and when you were married l felt
Ire you would be as happy as could be. Now
hat does this mean
Z" Alas. We are not happy he groaned. 81
ave put her out of the house once and once /