The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-06-12
gnterrsting Story.
WIILIE'S WIFE.

a CLUSTERING evening am alone.
An old maid with no husband to
destroy her peace, nor any dreadful an
noyances in the shape Of children, with
money enough at interest to keep the
wolf from the door, and house of her
own overhead, might surely expect, af-
ter the tea things were washed and put
away, the fire made, the table drawn
close TO it, the lamp close to her elbow,
and book close to her nose-an old
maid thus happily situated might, |
say, in all reason, expect Il comfortable
time. Alas! far from it! The wind
whistles around the house with more
than ordinary defiance, and l tremblc
inwardly; for well do | know, and we'll
does il know, also, the cracks and holes
in my dilapidated dwelling. Here it
comes whistling and roaring! with a
whisk it turns my new wig askew:
with another, the leaves of my book are
fluttering and tapping, as if they were
in league with the boisterous thing. |
adjust my wig and rcfind my place in
vain There it comes, again and again
a rough blast down the chimney SENDS
the smoke pouring into the room, scat.
tering a shower of ashes over my clean
white curtains.
| slam my book with petulent jerk
take up my lamp, and start on an in
dignant march up to bed. Creak ,crcal
go the boards, as if they were possessed
The door refuses to open; ! jerk ant
pull spasmCdically; another blast o
wind; my lamp goes out; still tug Il
tn c door: ii opens suddenly, and down
| go. Miss Jemima Bloor picks hersel
up, minus dignity, temper and wig.
grope my way up stairs, stepping light
ly ON certain shaking steps, and run
ming splinter into my hand from tn
broken banistcr; reach my room a
last must leave the door unlocked be
cause the lock Is out Of order; undrcsS
creep into bed, and cannot close m,
eyes, because there is piece of loos
plaster gaping just above my head
more terrible to me than the sword c
Damocles.
During the long hours Of that sleel
less night ] worked myselfup to q de,
perate resolution. The case, you ca
see, was grave and urgent: | ran in
minent risk of losing that bland, amia
bic disposition which las ! know fror
r the concurrent testimony of my mos
. discriminating friends) is natural to mt
4 The house shall be thoroughly repaired
Not another night will | sleep here III
til it Is!
/ arose at peep ofday, and noon foun
me domesticated at Mrs. Robinson
just over the way. | am to sleep on til
lounge in the parlor, for the little We
man possesses only two rooms and
= kitchen.
II Immediately assembled all the ca
i penters, GLACIERS, timers, bricklayer
y painters and paper hangers with wfol
our village is blessed. My house is b
ing repaired and renewed outside AZ
in. | contemplate the changes thu
o going on with-well let the truth
i tOld-with somewhat mixed emotion
q | am slowly coming to the conclusiC
3. that there is no such thing rs perfe
a happiness in this sublunary spher
y" Men are so intensely aggravating, {
10 pecially carpenters, GLACIERS, Time
briclllaycrs, painters and paper han
!, crs.
one afternoon we sat--my hOstt
and lin her little parlor; at the fro
window looking across the street n
watching that rascal John Stockcr, t
carpenter. Good heavens There he
in my best room window, swinging
D.. heels and smokinga pipe--nota thoug
-, ofmy work in his head Now, the o.
Gus creature llnows-no one bette
what n hurry ! am in and how Diet
apipc. Yet here | may be, for all
yre cares, sleeping ON Mrs. Robinso
IN lounge for month or two, and all
time my parlor-Mrs Jemima Bloc
. ! best roOm-scented with tobacco