The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-01-02


Among the most enterprising and in
dustrious merchants Of Selma is one
whom we cali Smith, principally because
| it isn't his name, who is blessed with
Ia ost exemplary wife in all respects save
one-she is of rather s. jealous disposi-
ton. Mr.. Smith has been of late very
much cngrossed in his business, and has
often consumed his evenings over his
ledger instead of in the bosom OF his
family, as has been his custom for years.
! In reply to the queries Of Mrs. s on
| the subject, lie would always say that
he was employed in his business. She
did not understand how business could
take up so much Of his time, and her
suspicious were aroused that all was
not right. Visions OF hours spent By
| her husband In other female society
than her own haunted her mind, and she
made an inward VOW 50 watch him and
see for herself.
Soon after arriving at this resolution
a telegram arrived for her husband and
was sent to his office, which was closed
as he had gone to his supper. The car
rier went to his house and delivered it
to the servant st the door. The gentle.
man not having arrived, it was handed
to his wife, who, with true feminine
curiosity, read it. 1t was plain and
short:
MONTGOMERY, Dec, 1867
Mr. Smith Meet Gertrude to night
Here was q horrible confirmation of
her worst fears. Controlling herself,
as best she could, she laid the dispatch
by his plate. He came in, read it, and
said he ''would have to go to town after
supper, and might not be back TIL late
He hurried through his neal, took his
hat, and walked hurriediy down the
street, Before he had turned the corner
his wife was following him, swiftly and
noiselesely. He went straight on, she
close behind. until be reached the wharf.
After an apparent inspection of the
surroundings, he stepped down the hill
and took a seat in the Office of the Mag
nolia His wife took position where
| she could see him through the glass
door, and waited for the finale which
was expected in the shape Of the Ger
trude whom her faithless spouse was to
meet. Time dragged YEARLY, and the
| lady become drowsy and at last fell into
/ doze, from which she was aroused by
| the shrill whistle of az approaching
| steamer. Nearer and nearer she came,
and as she rounded to, the name Of Scr
| trude. in large, brightly painted letters,
met the view of the jealous wife, and a
stentorian voice inquiriug if Smith was
On hand, completed her awakening.
! AT glance the position was realized,
and the poor woman could have cried
for yexation as she saw her husband
and another gentleman hurriedly trans
acting some business within q few feet
Of her. At that moment tipsy negro
came stumbling along, and seeing
woman's dress half hidden among the
bales and boxes Of merchandise, seized
her, exclaiming, "Corne out oh dar, ole
gal! - Her scream of terror brought her
| husband to the scene, whose astonish-
lnent may be imagined She fell into
his arms, with a hysterical burst of sobs,
and explanations ensued.
The party returned to their home in
a hack, and somebody's head was on
som ebody's bosom all the way. S ace
that time all that Smith has to do to
avert scoiding, is to insinuate that he
will "meet Gertrude