Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-09-08
THE WIFE CURER.

"Bcen up to the country" | quered, as |
met my friend Burner in the street few days
since. hadn't seen him for some time and he
looked SUI burnt and rough as il he had been
exposed to the country sun. He informed me
that he had, and that he had been to visit Tim
Somers, u mutual friend of ours, who had moved
ava, FROM town many years before. After in
quiies concerning his visit and his enjoyment
during the warm months, CONVEX saton reverted
TO our old friend.
81 never was more surprised in my life" said
Burner, ethan was to see him in the depot at
Ramshead. had quite forgotten that he was
located there
informed him that had also forgotten it,
though believed his wiie's relatives were liv-
ing there.
"lIis wifc's-ycs, YES continued Burner,
singular woman, that did you know herr"
"les," | replied; "she is a little, busting,
talku,ive thing full of fun and chat, and max
ing her house merry by the music of her voice.
Nice little woman
Burner looked at me moment. and burst
into IA laugh to my great wonderment. | re-
que>tcd him, in tone of chagrn, to inform me
what the deuce he was laughing at.
'rakativc, said he, when he could checkrein
his cachinatory colt Il found her anything but
that. | tell YOU. never knew the lady when
she lived in town. but more clturn body
never saw than found her.
Indeed" | remarked then there must have
been change. truly.
Il met Somers in the depot continued Bur
H ncr "Ra Rs "i Did dNs sehd S and you se With @ Re res
Through all his JOY. however saw that there
was a vein Of sadness; and when | alluded to
his family he appeared embarrassed, and dis
posed 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 a while, seeing that there
was a beautiful pond of water in the vicinity,
as | had seen from the cars as ! came along,
and deep wood, denoting game Soners used
to he great on those things, YOU know. limited
at our former sporting practices, and mentioned
nv half resolution to stay; but instead of man
Testing any interest in the subject, he sighed
deeply, and replied:
Burner | haven't taken pole in my hand,
nor put gun to my shoulder for five long years,
and never shall again
| looked at him with astonishment, but
know that he was sincere. fancied that saw
a 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 carried in my hand. Taking Somers
on my arm, we followed the porter and in q
few moments later found us seated in my room
with little rummer of caret negus between us
an excellent lubricator for dusty day.
We'll, how are you prosperil &, Somers"
replied, wishing to penetrate, If possible, the
mystery that enshrouded him, dccmng that il
might be some business difficulty in which Wa:
! involved.
Doing captally,' he replied, haven't lost
dollar since | came here. People have nick
named me Lucky Tom How wrongly people
Judge in measuring men,
What do YOU mean by that" said |, as | saw
the cloud creep over his face, as you have, while
standing on the mountains, seen Il shadow fit
ting across the meadow.
Il mean,' said he that in measuring us the,
take but one feature into the account, and upoI
that base hypothesis of happiness, or luck, a
the case may be-
Are you not happy?' asked, in tone cal
culated to win his confidence.
Il am far from it, he replied indeed, a NOR
miserable man is not to be found in these parts.
In what regard"
MY wife is dumb he almost sobbed, in an
swer to my question.
'Dumb?' | repeated, and thinking to rail-
him, said in jocular manner, well, that is
very singular thing to be sad for know man,
husbands who would be too happy to have sucl
a calamity happen to them. Burns says, 'Al
auld wife's tongues feckess natter AM
there's no contention in house where a per
petual silence is bond of unity
saw that he was hurt, and FASTENED to rem
+ edy the evil had done. Taking. him by tn
hand. | said:
Tim, assure you would not wound you
{ feelings willingly. l am no less your frien,
> than ever was, and no less worthy your conf
dence. Now, / wish you tell me the cause @
your trouble, that | may share with you, O
possibly alleviate it,
lie hesitated a few moments, and then said
with considerable emotion:
well. Burner, old friendship is stirring with
in me, and | shall do at its prompting tina
which thought nothing could wiring from me
You remember how happy | was. There wa
not man in the world who had more friends
than had. My home was a happy one-m
wife pleasant my children handsome and inte
ligent You never saw my wife, BurnerP'
My name, in the connection sounded like a
imprecation upon his wife, and the Burner
wrathful expletive--'bmn her. Somers cor
tinued:
When we moved up here things went on
pretty much the same pleasant way, until ther
came to the village lady whom had formerl
known, and about whom and me there had bee
i =