Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-09-07
MR. PETERS, FIRST WIFE.


as brick bats, and the coffee stone cold,'' and
Mr.. Peters rose from the breakfast table in
| temper by no means amiable, and rang the
bell violently. There was no answer He
rang again, third, a fourth time, still no an
| swer Quteof all patience, he went to the door
and called -ssMariai Mariaa''
A slight, pretty little woman, dressed in
soiicd, tumbled wrapper. with hair in a state
of direfuI confusion answered sthe summons
She bad one of those round, bright faces
which Nature intended should be decked with
cont i1ual smiles but now, with a ii its roses In
bloom. it was drawn out to its full length, and
the large blue eyes had a serious or rather
doleftl expression, totally at variance with
theirsusual joyous look. Her voice, too. had
lost its melodions, ringing sound, and was
subdued to a DISMAL whine.
ssWhat is it Joseph 70
ssWhere's Bridget 20
s.GOne out for me. | want more white RIB
bon for my ascension robe.''
Mr.. Peters said very naughty word, and
then continued, s.Cold coffee, hard eggs,
breakfast not fit to eat"
Il wish,'' whined his wife, s'you would
think less of temporal matters, and turn your
attention to the great end of life
ssIIang it ALL madam, / would like to enjoy
my life while do have it. Here was /, the
happiest man in the United States, with a
pleasant home, chatty, cheerful, loving wife,
and good, quiet children, and now, since you
have joined the Millerites, what am 70
ssOh, Joseph, if you would only come into
that blessed circle 20
ssOh, Maria, if You would only come out of
! it. Where are the boys ?''
81 am sure 1 don't know
care they going to school to-day 70
ssNy dear, their teacher has given up the
| school, and is turning her mind to more exal-
ted objects. Oh Joseph, turn now while
| there is time. You have still week for pre-
paration and repentance"
ssRepentance Well, when I take up the
subject, it will take rather more than week
| to put it through.
| And Mr.. Peters put on his coat and took up
his hat.
ssJuscph," said his wife, ssyou need not
send home any dinner. | shall be out, and
I'll take the boys over to their uncle's TO
| dine
Joe made no answer, unless the violently
| emphatic manner in which he closed the door
was one. Muttering with anger. he strobe in
| to a restaurant to make a breakfast. Here he
was hailed by one of his bachelor friends,
| Fred Somers, who looked up rs he heard Joe's
| order
.sHalloi'' he cried, ssyou here ? Why,
what are you doing here at breakfast time
| Wife sick %
s.No''
..Had quarrel 3''
| "No!'
| :sGonc ont of town? 20
"Noi''
..Then why don't you take breakfast at
| home Chimney on fire 70
"Ne!''
s'ServantS al! dead 20
"No 20
ssThen, what in thunder is to pay 2''
ssMaria's joined the Millerites ~
| Fred, gave long whistle, and then said,
| s.Going to ascend next week 2''
| eyes, and if don't commit suicide in the
meantime, you may congratulate me. | am
| almost distracted. Can't get a decent meal.
! children running riot, servants Saucy, house
all in confusion, wife in the blues, either quo
| ting the speeches of the elders at me, sew
| ing on Il white robe, and groaning every third
stitch. Hang it all, Fred, Eve great mind
| to take poison, or join the army -
elm HIM you give an enchanting pic
ture, but thiHkI can-suggest a cure"
"a cure 80
| eyes, if you will promise to follow my ad-
vice, will make your home pleasant, your
| wife cheerful, and your children happy
ssDo it," cried Joe. sI'll-follow your word
| like soldier under his office. What shall
! l do?''
At tea-time Mr.. Peters entered his home,
! whistling. Maria was seated at the table,
sewing on her white robe, and there were no
signs of preparation for the evening meal
| s:Maria, my DEAR" said Mr.. Peters cheerful
| ly sis tea ready ~
! II don't know was the answer, 'shave
| been out all day, attending meeting"
ooh, very well, never mind. Attending
| meeting? You are resolved, then, to leave
me next week ~
.sOh! Joe must go when l ain called.''
| eyes, my dear, of course. Well, [ must
resign myself, l suppose. BY the way, my
| dear has it ever occurred to you that [ shall
| be left Il widower with three children F? L
| think am handsome man yet, my love-" and
| Joe walked over to the glass, passed his fin
gers through his hair apd pulled up his collar.
Maria looked up, rather surprised.
! "You see, my dear, it is rather relief for
! you to 90 quietly, you know. 1T is so wearing
on the nerves to have long illness; and be-
! sides, my dear, there will be no funeral ex-
| penses, and that is quite a saving"
| Mrs. Peters lip quivered, and her large
blue eyes filed with tears. Joe longed to
! stop his heartless speech and comfort her, but
| he was fearful the desired effect was not gain
| ed yet.
$50, nv dear,'' he confined, s'if You must
go. l have been thinking of getting another
wife,
ssWhat 7'' cried Mrs. Peters.
eAnother wife, my love. The house must
be kept in order, and the boys cared for"
The grief was gone from Maria's face, but
her teeth were set with look OF fierce wrath.
"Another wife, Joe Another wife ~
eyes think | have selected good sue
cessor. Idelberated long time, when was
a bachelor, between her and yourself. You
| will like her, for she is your bosom friend.
sMy bosom friend!''
eyes. nv dear. think on the day that
you ascend, will marry Sarah Ingram y
s.Whati that good -for-nothing, silly, emp
! ty-headed old maid the mother OF my children!
| What!''
can do | don't want to leave my business to
| oo a courtinp and she will have me, | know"