The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-05-07
TALES or THE .BORDERS
IHG coMTRAsT Of WIVES.
NJ ALWxAHDER BETHUKB.
NJ ALRxAHDER BETEuKs.
(CoKCLUDGD).

NJ ALHxAHDER BETErKs.
(CoKcLUDGD).
"Give me the key man." said she, IN an
angry tone.
He still remained silent his agitation
increased, and be trembled in every limb.
THERE'S something wrang, Andrew, "
said she, Tell me what it il. I'm no
angry. By tryin to conceal it, ys may ruin
US bath by tellin me, we may hae q
chance O. bein saved. Come, now, has
Deacon Waldie the key p
"Ay," said Andrew, in a low tone.
6 He asked me FORT, to see if the bill was
past due, and said be would come back
Wit; but never made his appearance"
The good dame said not q word. She
saw the necessity for PrOmPtitude, and run,
ming to her bedroom she hurredly dressed
herself In few minutes she was on her
way to the corporation hall. In a few
minutes more she arrived and, having got
admittance, placed hsrself in recess, where
the Incorporation box was deposited, and 50
disposed herself as that she might see
whether any person interferred with the
treasury. In a short time Deacon Waldie
entered the ball, and, with secret furtive
steps, approached the box He looked
about him, bat did not perceive the dame,
who, as she saw him approach, retired back
farther into the recess He took out the
KEY, and applied It to the lock. 1t was
nov time for Mrs. Todd to save her husband.
Starting quickly out Of the recess, she
walked sOlemnly and digni6edT up to the
Official, before whom she presented herself
with low eurtsey.
"How are you, Mr.. Deacon Waldie r
said she, repeating her curtsey, and looking
at him with an eye that pierced him to the
heart.
The deacon was . great stiekler for
etiquette, felt himself, as be saw the dame
eartseying before him. eoppellssa 20 return
the compliment but the consciousness OF
guilt, the cutting satire of the DANES eoar-
teous 6emeanor, the surprise at seeing her
there, and his fear Of being exposed, all
operated so strongly, that bis bow was
checked, and transformed into a low criDge,
making him appear only half his natural
size while the consciousness Of rectitude,
and the superiority Of virtue, swelled out the
breast of bis silent accuser, and added ap-
parently to her physical proportions Re-
covering himself in some degree
81 was Just about to examine our cor
pOration papers, said be, irreeOlutely. 1
like to assist Mr.. Todd in his official capa-
city, while you keep him right in bis private
affairs
" Between the twa," replied the dame,
without changing her countesance, be
maun be weel taen care o :"
As she said this, she quietly and delib
erately took the key out Of the lock and
into large red cloth pocket, which hung
alongside Of pair Of scissors, with which
the deacon was "lready well acquainted
(having tested their sharpness), she depo
sited the important instrument She ther
made another low curtsey.
Guid-day to ys, Mr.. Deacon Waldie !!
she said, as she departed :" max my bes
respects TO Mrs Deacon Waldie, and tc
her worthy father."
The deacon stood stiff with amusement
looking after the erect, digni6ed figure O
Mrs. Jean Todd, as she walked slowly along
the ball Of the incorporation to the door.
He skulked of i'm the best way be could
bot she, With erect body and noble carriage
directed her stops homeward, where she
found her husband in q state Of intens'
fear and anxiety, both on account OF thu
danger he was exposed TO, and Of the meet
ing that was about to take place with hi
wife. On the latter account, there nigh
apparently have been little reason for aPpre
hension for their meetings were very un
ike those mentioned in the old song
"rhrn up seAo gate aas nskls rusg.
Ana she gadssaa 10 nsads 70 the doc.
QUOth he 'Dsme I aan Aald my tung,
BOs an ws cht, m sst tAs voir."
Her mode of conducting her rule was differ
ent toto e0eIo. She walked into the hous'
with the same erect carriage, she usually
exhibited, especially when upon duty, ant
closing the door after her, without usinl
any jealous precaution a. turning the ke,
in he lock-a mede Of enforcing the con
iugal authority she despised-she went NJ
10 the table where her husband sat, with hi
hand upon bis brow. That Gag Of distres
she paid little attention to; for she has
often before seen Andrew endeayor to max
her own pity plead the cause Of bis 'mPru
dence.
Here is the key Of the treasury-box
Mr.. Todd" said she.
Andrew was greatly relieved but won
der took the place Of his fear, for be couI'
not conceive how bis wife cOuld so sooI
have got the key out Of the hands Of th
deacon-and yet for certain the key wa
before his eyes
Bee you that ring 7" continued th
! dame, holding out q steel key-boop, o.
! which were hung a score Of keys, shinin
as bright as silver, from the eternal me
Z ton to which they were exposed in the re
! pocket of their mistress.
. cay, weel do see It" replied Andrew
. Gand weeI do kent. 1t is BY that mag
ring that q my guilds and gear are girde
! and prevented frae fain into the slaves
! that bankruptcy and ruin | threatened th
day to bring upon them"
The dame replied nothing TO the .etalar
Of her husband, though she was iDwardl
well pleased to soc him penitent; but, ccpe'
ing the spring clasp, she deliberately place
he treasury-box key upon the ring. aion