Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-09-01
Mr.. Peters First Wife.

Mr.. Peters First Wife.
"Dear. dca ! no toast, eggs boiled as hard as
brickbats and the coffee stone cold,'' and Mr.. Pc
tiers rose from the breakfast table in a temper bv
no means amable, and rang the bell Violently
There answer. He rang again, third,
fourth time, still no answer. Out of all patience,
he went to the door and called, "Maria. Maria.'
slight, pretty little woman, dressed in a soiled,
rumpled wrapper, with hair in state ofdireful con-
fusion, answered this summons. She had one of
those round. bright faces which Nature intended
should be decked with smiles, but now, with all its
roses in bloom it was drawn out its full ength and
the large blue eyes had serious or rather doleful
expression, totally at variance with their usual joy
Gus look. Her voice, too, had lost its melodious,
ringing sound, and was subdued to a dismal whine
'What is it, Joseph?''
"Where's Bridget?'
"Gone out tor me. Iwant more white ribbon for
my ascension robe"
Mr. Peters said a very naughty word. and then
continued, "Cold coffee, hard eggs, breakfast not
fit TO cat"
81 wish, whned his wife, "you would think less
of temporal Matters and turn your attention to the
great end of ifc''
"Hang it all, madam, 7 would like to enjoy my
life while do have it. Here was /, the happcst
man in the United States, with pleasant home, a
chatty cheerful, loving wife. and good, quiet chill
dren; and now, since you have joined the Mileries,
what am Il''
blessed circle.'
"Oh, Maria, if you would only come out Of it,.
Where are the Joys?''
81 am sure | don't know
"Are they going to school to-dayl"
sMy dear. their teacher has given UP the school,
and is turning her mind to more exalted objects
Oh, Joseph turn now while there is time. You
have still week for preparation and repentance"
sRcpentance. Well, when take up the subject
it will take rather more than week to put it
through" And Mr.. Peters put on bis coat and
took up his hat.
"Joscph," said his wife," you 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 violent and en-
phatic manner in which he closed the door was
one Muttering with anger he strobe into IA restau-
one of his bachelor friends, Fred Somers, who
look ed up as he heard Joe's order
"Hallo.' he cried, ssY on here? Why. what are
you doing here at breakfast timel Vile sickl"
"No."
"Had quarrel?"
s.Nc,'
"Gone out of town7'
"Then why don't you breakfast at home1 Chin
ney on firel''
/ "Now ~ aHu ~A
Servants all deadl"
"No."
"Chiidren sickq" iaa uai'a'a4a. as1
"No." .. .-.......s.,... 81. ....,.i ........
"Well, what in thunder is to payl'
sMaria's joined the Miileritcsr' u4s-
Fred gave a long whistle, and then said
"Going to ascend next week?"
Yes, and If 1 don't commit suicide in the mean
time YOU may congratulate me. i am almost dis
tracted. Can't get decent meal, children running
riot servants saucy, house all in confusion, wife in
the blues, either quoting the speeches of the elders
at me, or sewing on white robe and groaning
every third stitch Hang it all, Fred, Eve great
mind to take poison or oin the army
/ "H'm. h'm you give an enchanting picture, but
think can suggest cures
"a curc.'
"Yes, if you viii promise to follow my advice,
will make YOUR home pleasant, your wife cheerful,
and your children happy" r t
"Do it,, cried Joe, sl'll follow your word like a
soldier under his officer. What shall do?''
At tea time Mr. Peters entered his home whstling.
Maria was seated at table sewing on her white
robes, and there signs ofpreparation for the
evening meal. s~ltl = ars ma
"aI,ria my dear, is my tea ready 2" said Peters,
cheerfully. sa - ta1a Z II n.e
81 don't know was the answer; al have been
out all day. attending meeting" Aet
i"Oh, very well, never mind. Attending meeting
You are resolved, then to leave me next week?'
"Oh, Joe! l must go when am called -
eyes nv dear, of course. Well, must resign
myself, suppose By the way, my dear, has it
ever occurred to you that shall be left widowcr
with three children? think am handsome man
yct" and Joe walked over to the glass, passed his
fingers through his hair, and pulled up his collar
Maria looked up rather surprised MN 3iaas
"You see, my dear, lis rather relief for you to
IA
to have long illness; and besides, my dear, there
will be no funeral expenses, and that is quite a
saving. lrfasfF
Mrs. Peters lip quivcrcd, and her large blue
ewes filed with tears Joe longed to stop his heart
less speech and comfort her. but hc was fearful the
desired effect not gained yet.
$50 my;dear, ;" he continued, il you must 60,
hare been thinking Of getting another WIFI"
sWlat," cried Mrs. Peters $50 .,iae- Fet
"Another wife, nv love. The house must bc
kept in order, and the boys cared for''
"a nother wife, joel Another wifei aui
ayes / think have selected good successor
delibera'cd a long time wIrn was bachelor
between her and yourself YouswiIl Ike her, foI
she is your bosom fricnd'' a
ANY bosom frieDd.'' Nisi2
ayes, nv dear. think on The day that you as
cenJ, viii marry Sarah lngram."
= "Whu. that good. for-nothing, silly, empty-head
ed old maid, the mathcr of my children: What.'
"Well, my dear, ii seems to be the best can do
don't want to leave my business TO 60 a counting
and she will have me, know" sfsi)
"No doubt. Oh. you great brutal. hatefu
a-r .afe3
! ."Stop, my dear, don't fly into fury! We viii
try to spend our last week in happiness. Oh, b,
the way, have a proposal to make."rf
"Go on, sir! 'Das't spare mer' II as.
"Ah. yes. that is the very thing wish 10 do.
know that your mind is entirely encrosscd with you
ascension, and wish to spare you tho care of tn,
house. Suppose you invite Sarah hste 10 mcsroy
to spend a wcek!'' etippf q, .ss5is
| 'What?'f his 4s43f - -slHN11H I nrz
rThen | can arrange our mstrimonial prepara
tons in the evening, while you hre at the lecture.
/ ssWhat? .kftf9 IS issa
And you can learc the house in her charge al
day That will give you plenty Of time to go out
and she can learn the ways ABOUT thc hoafs.'
4 sWhatl' .riiiipt
And, my desS, one little favor 1t may be th
Last shall ever ask. Stay at home oaef or tw'
days, wont you, and show her round, where yol
keep things, and so on, SO that she wous hare an
trouble keeping order after you 60. You will d