The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-08-30
Tne Wife Curer.
by y. p. SUILLABER.

"Been up to the country ?" querried, o.
met my friend Bcrner in the street 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
had been to visit Tim Somers, mutual
friend of ours, who had moved away from
town many years before. After inquiries
concerning his visit and his enjoyment du-
ring the warm months, conversation reverted
to eur old friend.
IL never was more surprised in my life" i"
said Burner, "than was to see him in the
depot at Ramshead. had quite forgotten
that he was located there
informed him tha. had also forgotten
it, though believed his wfes relatives were
living there.
"His wife's-yes, yes" continued Burner,
singular woman, that did you know her:''
Yes" / replied "she is a little busting,
talkative thing full 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 laugh, to my great wonderment.
requested him, in q tone Of chagrin, to inform
me what the deuce he was laughing at. aa.
"Talkatve," said he, when he could check
rein his cachinatory colt 81 found her any
thing but that tell you. never knew the
lady when she lived in town, but more
taciturn body never saw than found her"
Indeed y remarked, "then there must
have been change, truly ....-......
81 met Somers in the depot" continued
Burner, "and be was. very glad to. see me,
inquiring after his old friends, and YOU with
the rest. Through all his joy, however, |
raw that there wes vein of sadness and
when | alluded to his family, he appeared
embarrassed, and disposed to change the sub
ject. 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 a bad thing to tany
awhile, seeing that there was beautiful
pond Of water in the vicinity, as / had seen
from the cars as / came along, and a deep
wood, denoting game. Somers used to be
great on those things, you know. hinted
at our former practices, and mentioned my
half resolution to stay !; but instead Of mani
Testing any interest in the subject, he sighed
deeply, and replied
"Burner, ! havn't taken pole in my hand
nor put a gun to my shoulder, for FIVE long
years, and never shall again"
lookeed at him with astonshmcnt, but
knew that he was sincere. ! fancied that |
saw tear in his intelligent eye, and my
heart grew 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 fol-
lowed the porter, and a few moments later
found US seated in my room with little
RUNNER Of ciaret negus between usan ex-
cellent lubrieator for dusty day. .",@a ) =
swell, how are you prospering, Somers p
replied, wishing to penetrate, If possible,
the mystery that enshronded Kim, deening
that it might be some business difficulty in
which he was involved. ~
"Doing capitally,H he replied, "havn'tlast
a dollar since I came here. People have
nick-nomedms lucky Tom How wrongly
people judge in measuring men"
"What do you mean by that ~ said l. as
saw the cloud creap over his face, as you
have, while standing on the mountains, seen
shadow flirting across the meadow.
II mean," said he, "that in measuring us
they take but one feature into the account,
and upon that base a hypothesis of happi-
ness, luck, as the case may be-"
"And you are not happy l asked, in a
tone calculated to win his confidence. n
81 am far from it, he replied, "indeed, a
more miserable man is not to be found in
these parts. f" =, a. (. fsr..
SIN what regard ?"
''My wife is dumb he almost sobbed in
answer to my question.
HDumb?" repeated, and thinking to raj