, 1864-04-23
Mr.. Jones's Wives.

oCGllIOu SuhuCilly W ONNObS NOHSSlOuo VI
the wonderful fact that he couldn't possibly
exist without her. He plunged at once into
the deepest purgatory Of woe; and though
he groaned. wept, wruug his hands, and tore
his hair, he regretted exceedingly that he
was still unable to express his grief in a
manner more adequate to the occasion.
Mr.. Jones literally waded in agony, and
swan in despair; he refused utterly to be
comforted, and touchingly requested his
friends to "bury him in the same grave
with his Sophronia."
twas singular circumstance well known
to the neighbors, that he had never appeared
sensible Of his wife's virtues during her
lifetime; but now, while she lay dead in
the house, the bereaved husband enumerated
such catalogue Of good traits and dazzling
qualities as would tire the reader to hear
them repeated. Il was truly astonishing to
hear from his own lips what a marvellous
woman Mrs. Jones was-so kind, 80 affec.
tionate, so prudent and self.sacrifcing, so
industrious, and such good mother! He
wept al the time Of the funeral service,
and at the churchyard tried to throw him
self into the grave. in an exacerbation of
grief lie returned home looking so cru he'd
and woe begone that the neighbors said abe
would never recover from the Shock"
Mrs. Smith met him and tried to assuage
the awful pangs of sorrow which convulsed
his breast. She advised him to be recon.
ell, d to the will of Heaven, and not to re.
bel against the divine mandates.
"Mrs. Smith," he replied solemnly, call
my hopes Of happiness are blasted. With
Sophronla | have buried oil my earthly
prospects"
SNOW, don't take on So" rejoined good
Mrs. Smith, "but bear your bereavement
patiently, for the sake of your children"
81 really wish was dead, Mrs. Smith.
| wish | was dead buried with herp And
he capered about as some Of the martyrs
might have done when subjected, barefoot,
to the torture Of the hot iron floor.
" Remember that death is the common
lot addd the perseverng lady.
"Deatb doesn't terrify me-" returned the
widowel, in an impressive tone. ats be-
ing left behind"
"Believe me, neighbor Jones, time will
soften your sorrow, and God will give you
strength to bear this visitation"
"Nsver!" hs exclaimed. III do not wish
my sorrow soitened, and don't care about
strength; in fact, hope il may Gail, and
my bodily powers decay, that may soon
follow her to the silent tomb"
"Such feelings are sinful, Mr.. Jones;
conduct yourself with becoming fortitude,
and in due time find companion for your.
sell, and u mother for your children"
Here tho afflicted man had frcSh parox.
ysm Of grief and struck some highly trag
ical attitudes, favoring his kindly disposed
neighbor with some Of tho most lugubrious
expressions ever attempted and successfully
achieved, either on the stage or off,
!" shall never, never marry again! The
sainted Mrs. Jones has not her equal on
earth! The baie idea Of second wife
seems like the rankest treason To departed
worth; but forgive you Mrs. Smith, for
! d.d-dare say you m.mmean well !"
The worthy woman now realized that
such woe was altogether out Of her depth,
and that she could not possibly fish up any
comfort from the common wa.ers Of conso.
Iation; and so with sigh sho left the be.
reaved Jones to wallow through the mire
Of aAiiction.
Everybody said Jones would mover get
married, and the idea was Of universal
preyalence--a settled question ceded by oil
parties BY unanimous consent.
In just one month from the day Of Mrs.
Jones' decease, Mrs. Smith from window,
saw remarkably well dressed gentleman
driving by quite gaily, with youthful
looking lady q. his side.
"Who IN the world can that bef' she
asked, turning to her friend, Mrs. Hop.
kins.
"That," replied the lady, sis Mr.. Jones. >
:" 1t can't be possible" exclaimed the
questioner.
"And why mott" inquired Mrs. Hop.
kins.
Because his wif's death has broken
his spirit and he'll never hold up his head
again. But do declare, It does look like
himr
sand do you recognize the lady with
himw resumed the other.
ats probably bis wife's aunt" said Mrs
Smith. caretally adjusting her glasses.
Nothing Of the kind; It Is the pretty
widow Perkins, whose husband died last
fall"
"Well never expected TO see Mr.. Jones
look so cheerful or spruce up N such way.
Why, don't remember when I've seen o