Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-03-04
An OLD STORY IN A NEW DRESS:

Al OLD STORY IN A NEW DRESS:
Avery long time ago, in the Western
part of England, there lived an aged
couple whose time had passed away
since carly youth in the cry-day
round of farm life, and who had nc er
been known to have the least ill-feellng
each other since the time when
good old Parson IIeriot had united them
in the holy bands of wcdlocks twenty
five years before. So wellwas the fact
of their conjugal happiness known that
they we're spoken of, far and near, as
the happiest pair known. Now, the
Devil { excuse the ABRUPT mention of his
namc) had been trying for twenty
wears to create what is commonly call
cd "a fuss in the family" between
these old companions. But much to his
modification, ;he had not been able to
induce the old gentleman to grumble
about breakfast being late, once, or the
old lady to give single curtain lecture.
After repeated efforts, the Devil became
discouraged, and had he not been a
person of great determination, he would
doubtless have given up in despair.
One day as he walked along, in very
surly mood, after another attempt to
vt the old woman to quarrel about the
Hlgs getting into the yard, he met an
ia woman, a near neighbor of the aged
couple. As Mr.. Devil AID the neigh
Dor we're very particular friends, they
must needs stop on the way to chat
little.
"Good morning SIR" said she, cane
pray what on earth makes you look Sc
badly, this beautiful morning-isn'
the controversy between the churches
doing good service :"
eyes"
"Isn't Deacon W. making plenty O.
bad whisky?!''
eyes"
"Well, what's the matter, my hishl.
honored masser?''
"Everything else is doing wei
enough,'' replied the Devil, ''but"-
and here he looked as a monkey on /
crab-apple ,rcc-"old Blucford and hi;
wife, over here. arc injuring the caus
here terribly by their bad example, ant
after trying for years to induce them t.
do better, l must say I consider then
hopeless. :"
The old has stood for moment il
deep thought. care you sure.'hat yo'
have tried every way }"
"Every one l can think Of"
care YOU certain Z"
eyes"
"Well,':' replied she, elf you vii
promise to make me present of
new pair Of shoes. in case | succeed,
will make the attempt myself, and SCI
If I can't raise quarrel between
them"
To this reasonable request the Dew
gladly assented. The old bag went OF
her way to cid Blueford's house, an
found old Mrs. Blueford very busil,
engaged in getting things ready for he
husbands comfort on his return from
work. After the usual complimen
had passed, the following dialogue tool
place:
"Well, friend B., you and Mr.. B
have lived long time together.
Give and twenty years, come mex
November replied Mis-. B.
"And in all this time you have no
had one quarrel"
"Not one."
81 am truly glad to hear it," con
tinucd the bag. 81 consider it my dut.
to warn you, that though this Is tin
case, yet you must not expect it to b.
always. Have you not observed Of lat
Mr.. B. has grown peevish and sullen a
times 20
GA very little So" observed Mrs. B
81 know it," continued the bag
"and let nae warn you in time to be OF
your guard.
Mrs. B. did think she had better dc
so, and asked advice as to how sh'
ought to manage the case.
s'Have you not noticed" said tn.
bag, "that your husband had bunch
Of long coarse hair growing on mole
under his chin, on the side Of his
throat %
eyes,
"Thcsc are the cause Of trouble, anc
as long as they remain you had better
look out. Now as a friend, I would
advise you to cut them off the first time
you get a chance, and thus end the
trouble"
eff you say do so, l WILL" replied
the credulous old lady.
Soon after this the hag started for
home, and made it convenient to meet
Mr.. B. on the way. Much the same
talk in relation to his domestic happi-
ness, passed between them as did be-
tween her and the old woman.
"But, friend Blucford, "said she, II
think it my duty, as a Christian, to
warn you to be on your guard, for /
tell you..that your wife intends your
ruin"
Old Mr.. 3. was very much astonish-
ed, yet he could not wholly dscrelit
her words. When he reached homo he
threw himself upon bed in great per-
plexity, and feigning sleep, studied
over the matter in his own mind. His
wife thinking this good opportunity
for cutting of the obnoxious hair, took