East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-12
THE WIFE-CURER.
BY p. d. sHILLABER.

as i met my Irlenu burner III tne stfec'
few days since. / hadn't seen him for
some time, and he looked sunburnt and
rough, as if he had been exposed to the
country sun. He informed me that he
had, and that he hal been to visit Tim
Somers, mutual friend of ours, who had
moved away from town two years before.
After inquiries concerning his visit and
his enjoyment during the warm months,
conversation reverted to our old friend.
81 never was more surprised in my
life," said Burner, "that l was to see him
in the depot at Ramshead. / had quite
forgotten that he was located there"
| informed him that had also forgot
ten it, though l believed his wife's rela-
tives were living there.
"His wife's-yes, yes" continued Bur-
ner, singular women that; didyou know
herr"
"Yes," I replied; "she is little, bus
Ting, talkative thing, full of fun and chat,
and making her house merry by the music
of her voice. Nice little woman"
Burner looked at me a moment, and
burst into laugh, to my great wonder
ment. / requested him, in a tone of cha
grin, to inform me what the deuce he was
laughing at.
"Talkative!" said he, when he could
checkrein his cachinatory colt; 81 found
her anything but that, tell you. Inev-
er knew the lady when she lived in town,
but more taciturn body never saw
than | found herr
"Indeedr' remarked; "then there must
have been change, truly"
al met Somers in the depot" contin-
ued Burner, "and he was very glad to
SCENE, inquiring after his old friends, and
you with the rest. Through all his joy,
however, / saw that there was vein of
Sadness and when | alluded to his family
he appeared embarrassed, and disposed
to change the subject. / had no object
in view in visiting Ramshead, other than
the change Of scene, and did not intend
to remain there but day or two; but
meeting Somers led me to think that it
would not be bad thing to tarry there
awhile, seeing that there was a beautiful
pond of water in the vicinity as i had
seen from the cars as came along, and
a deep wood denoting game. Somers
used to be great on those things, you
know. limited at our former sporting
practices, and mentioned my half resolu-
ton to stay; but instead of manifesting
any interest in the subject, he sighed
deeply and replied"
Burner, haven't taken pole in my
hand nor put a gun to my shoulder for
five long years, and l never shall again"
~ looked at him with astonishment,
but knew that he was sincere. ! fan
cicd that / saw tear in his intelligent
eye, and my heart drew stronger towards
him than ever. then quite resolved to
stay, and ordered the porter of the hotel
to carry my baggage my valise
and gun-up to the house, which
was close by. My rod-cane l carried in
my hand. Taking Somers on my arm,
we followed the porter, and few mo
ments later found us seated in my room
with alittle RUNNER claret negus between
us-an excellent lubricaton for a dusty
day.
"Well, how are you prospecting, Som.
ers?" l replied, wishing to penetrate, if
possible, the mystery that enshrouded
him, deeming that it might be some busi-
ness difficulty in which he was involved.
"Doing capitally," he replied; "haven't
lost dollar since l came here. People
have nick named me Lucky Tom How
wrongly people judge in measuring men,"
"What do you mean?" said l, as saw
the cloud creep over his face, as you have,
while standing on the mountains, seen a
shadow fitting across the meadow.
"I mean," said he, "that in measuring
us they take but one feature into the &C.
count, and upon that base a hypothesis OF
happiness, or luck, as the case may be. '
care you not happy?" ] asked, in tone
calculated to win his confidence.
al am far from it," he replied; "indeed
a more miserable man is not to be found
in these parts"
"In what regard?"
my wife is dumb" he almost sobbed,
in answer to my question.
"Dumb?" / repeated, and thinking tc
rally him, said in a jocular manner, "Well
that is very singular thing to be sad for
know many husbands who would be toe
happy to have such calamity happen
to them. Burns says, 'An auld wife''
tongues freckless matter and there's
no contention in house where perpetu-
al silence is the bond of unityl"
| saw that he was hurt, and hastened
to remedy the evil / had done. Taking
him by the hand, l said:
"Tim, l assure you / would not wounC
your feelings willingly. j am no less
your friend than / ever was, and no less
worthy your confidence. Now | wisl
you to tell me the cause of your trouble
that may share it with you, or possibly
alleviate it,"
He hesitated few moments, and ther
said, with considerable emotion:
"Well, Burner, old friendship is stir
ring within me, and shall do at it
prompting that which thought nothing
could wiring from me. You remembe
how happy was. There was nota maj
in the world who had more friends, tru
friends, than / had. My home was
happy one-my wife pleasant, my children
handsome and intelligent You neve