The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-07-24
SQUIRE RICHARDS SECONDWIFE.

SQUIRE RICHARDS SECONDWIFE.
"What? ne, you don't say so Squire
Richards goin' to marry asin, ant his wife
only dead three months Goodnss mel"
''Tis awful You may we'll beastonish-
ed, Mrs. Wilkes, it is terrible to think of /!
Such deception! Why, at his wifes funeral,
one would have thought him actully heart
broken; and then the Grape on hs hat is q
half a yard deepH'
"Ah, me, Mrs. Hanson, there isno depen-
dance to be put on 'pearance. The world
gets sinfuller and sinfuller every lay, and it
can't be covered up with silk or boadcloth.
As said to my husband, Mr.. Wilkes, the
other nig..t, says /, Simon, thing, are COM
in to IN awful pass. Everybod, will get
into the States Prison in two yesrs at this
rate And says Simon, says he Il don't
doubt it Mariah.' "
"And you and Mr.. Wilkes wereight, per-
fcctly right; it is just so. But tbs dread
full conduct Of the 'Squire's has made me
more conscious of the truth of it Strange
that sensible man should behan so, isn't
it ?"
"Yes, it is wonderful! But hor did it get
out so quick? The Squire amt 10 hand to
tell of things, you know"
"Betty Higgins found it out las night
She was taking tea at the widdcr Downs,
you know she's almost always visiting some
where, though wouldn't mentonit to liv-
ing person except you, Mrs. Wilkes, and
while they were at supper the Squire rode
by in a new buggv-going toward he depot.
People don't get new buggies for nothing,
you know
''No, that they don't, Mrs. Hauon-wid-
dercrs especially"
"Well, he wasn't gone more than half an
hour 'fore back he came, drivingupon the
gallop-he didn't use to abuse hishorsc so
when poor Mrs. Richards was alir-and 10
and behold! sitting in the new buggy with
him, and his arm actually around ner waist,
in broad daylight! was little girlsh look =
ing woman, in pink dress and green silk
bonnet! Only think Of it-a pink .ess and
green silk bonnet, and his arm around her
1t is abominable."
"My gracious goodness! l want to
know %
"Ies, it's every word Of it as true as our
minister's discourscs. and Mr.. Sampwell
never cxaggcratcs-he's a fine man, Mrs.
Wilkes and the wldder Down and Betty
run up in the garret-they can see Squire
Richards house plain from the widder's gar
ret windows-and the Squire drove up to
the front door, as if the side door was not
good enough! and then he got out of the
buggy and lifted the woman on to the door
stone! Took her right in his arms in broad
daylight, and lifted her on to the door,
Stonc,'
"My goodness as if she couldn't git out,
herself j.! it's indecent, now, amt it!'
''To be sure it is and he middle.aged
man, and member of the church! Mr..
ought to know of it, SO that he
could preach sermon on the duties OF men
to their families. Only think of poor. dear,
dead Mrs. Richards little daughter Elnctta
being ruled by step p-mother hardly older
than herself! 1t will break the poor ehild's
heartr
There was a long and impressive silence.
during which the two amiable ladies regaled
with numerous pinches of snuff.
from box which had made its appearance
in the lap of Mrs. Wilkes. No doubt it
helped in measure to digest the moment
Gus matter.
"Wal,' recommended Mrs. Wilkes, 81
think such doin's is awful. Gettn' married
agin' afore his wife is coldr'
snow, suppose he'll say that he needed
a housekceper, but that's no excuse, for nv
Mary Elizabeth or your Julia Ann would
have been glad to have gone. Mary Eliza
beth is terrible favorite with little Emet-
Ia, and Mary Elizabeth is grand hand at
children"
"Yes, Mary Elizabeth is fine girl, Mrs.
Wilkes, but her health isn't hardly good
enough to take so much care as there would
be in Squire Richards family, with all his
company but, then, Julia Ann could have
done it well enough. Julia Ann is remark
able hand for children--can't help learning
Of them something all the time she is with
them. Her example is so beautiful, you
know"
swell, for my part, think somebody
ought to 90 and talk to the Squire about it.
1t amt right for us-sisters in the church,
to let him ruin himself and dartcr marry
ing nobody knows who! He ought to be
reasoned wth!''
"That's just what think, Mrs. Wilkes,
and called over here on purpose 70 ask YOU
% 90 with me to the 'Squire's b-morrow
and talk with him about it. It's
he best we can do.''
''l'll go, and be glad to! hope I'm nev-
n backward IN doing my duty"
Swell, | must be going Eve made long
;all; tomorrow morning at eight O'Clock
t's best to 60 early-I will call for vou.-
% come and see me, Mrs. Wilkes! You
Know it's an age since you have been to our
louser'
"Dear me, Mrs. Hanson, don'tcome half
Is often as want to, but I'm ashamed to
,eep comm all the time. As told nv hus-
'and, Mr.. Wilkes, the other day, saws /, sSi-
non, I'm actilly afraid shall wear nv well
ome out over to Mrs. Hanson's.' And saws
le, SAYS Simon, Il shouldn't wonder if YOU
lid, Mariah.'
Eight O'Clock the following morning found
'ur friends Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Hanson,
standing on Squire Richards front door
tep, (the side door wasn't good enough for
he lady in pink, and of course it wasn't
suitable for ladies Of their caliber,( awaiting
o be admitted. A frouzy headed Irish girl
their rap.
Ianson.
''lnr to be sure he is! Safe in bed. ma'am!
S it after seein' him that We are;,
eyes, We called to see him on iunortapt
usiness," replied Mrs. Hanson, very frigld-
T..
Sure, thin, and I'll be after call;n' him
ho' the ould gintlemen is sound aslape-fur
heard him snorin' but jist now when cum
arninst his bedroom door. Come in, wild
eesr'
And Biddy ushered the ladies into room
here the breakfast table was standing in
aiting for the family.