The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-06-10
SfIeftf0 MiseetIann.
MIR. PETERS FIRST WIFE.

MIR. PETERS FIRST WIFE.
sDear, dearl no toast; eggs boiled a
hard as brickbats, and the coffee ston
cold" ..-.
And Mr.. Peters rose from the table in
temper by no means amiable, and rang tn
bell violently. There was no answer. Il
rang again, third, fourth time, and stil
no answeri Out of all patience, he wen
to the door and called-s'Marial MariaI'
A slight, pretty little woman, dressed il
a soiled, tumbled wrapper, with hair il
state of direful confusion, answered hi
summons. She had one of those brigh
faces which nature intended should b.
decked with continual smiles; but now, al
its roses in bloom, it was drawn to its full
length, and the large blue eyes had a ser
ious, or rather doleful expression, totally
at variances its usual joyous look. He
voice, too, had lost its meledious, ringing
sound, and was subdued to dismal whine
''What is it. Joseph"
where's Bridget"
t'Gone out for me. L want more whit
ribbon for my ascension robe"
Mr.. Peters said a very naughty word
and then continued; 'fCold coffee, hare
al wish" whined the wife, ''you would
think less of temporal matters, and tur1
YOUR attention to the great end of life.
"Hang it all. madam, like to enjoy ny
life when 1 have il Here was l, the hap
piest man in the United States, with {
pleasant home, chatty, cheerful, loving
wife, and good quiet children; and now
since you have Joined the Millerites, wha
am IT
'POh, Joseph, if you would only, only
come into the blessed circle"
''Oh, Maria, If you would only come ou
of it. Where are the boys?"
'rm sure don't know"
'tAre they going to school today"
'sNo, dear Joseph" -
stFor what reason MADAME"
"My dear, their teacher has given NJ
the school, and is turning her mind to more
exalted objects. Oh, Joseph, turn now
while there's time. You have still weel
for preparation and repentance.
"Repentancel Well, when 1 take up the
subject, it will take more than week tt
put it through.
rAnd Mr.. Peters put on his coat and tool
up his hat.
s'Joseph," said his wife, ''you need not
send home any dinner. l shall be out, and
Ill take the boys over to their uncle's tC
dinner"
Joe made no answer, unless the violent
" emphatic manner in which he closed the
door was one. Muttering with anger, he
strobe into restaurant to make break
fast. Here he was hailed by one of his
friends, Fred. Somers, who looked up al
he heard Joe's order.
stHalloi" lie cried, 'syou herel5 What are
you doing here at breakfast time? Wife
sick?"
teNo."
"Had a quarrel?"
stNo."
"Gone to town." a.-
"No."
''Then why don't you breakfast at homer
Chimney on freS"
Servants all dead2"
stNo."
'eWeIl. what in thunder is to pay?"
''Maria's joined the Millerites!
Fred gave long, shrill whistle, and then
said: ''Going to ascend next week."
s'Yes, and if I-don't commit suicide IN
the meantime, you may congratulate me.
1 am almost distracted. Can'tget decent
meal, children running not, servants sau
CIV, house all in confusion, wife got the
blues, either quoting the speeches of the
elders at me, or sewing on robe, and
groaning every third or fourth stitch
Hang it all, Fred, I've great mind to takt
poison or jsin the army" e.
"Hmih'ml you give an enchanting pic
ture, but think can suggest cure.
"a cure?"
''Yes, ifyou will promise to take my ad
L MA M
wife cheerful and your children happy.
s.Do itP cried Joe. I'll follow your worC
like a soldier under his superior officer
What shall do2" eFg
At tea time Mr.. Peters's entered hi
home, wbistling. Maria was seated at he
sewing and there were no signs of prepara
ton for the evening meal
maria, my DEAR said Mr.. Peters, 81
tea ready?" -@
81 don't know" was the answer, ''hay
been out all day attending meeting.
s'0h, very well; never mind. Attendin!
meeting? You are resolved then, to leav
next week."
''Oh, Joseph, must go when I am cal
led
"Yes. my dear, of course. Well, mus
resign myself, suppose. By the way, m.
dear, had it ever occurred toyou that shal
be left a widower with three children?
think am a handsome man yet, my love,
and Joe walked over to the glass, passes
his fingers through his hair, and pulled a.
his collar. Maria looked up in surprise.
"You see, dear, it is rather arelief TO
you to go quickly, you know. 1t Is 81
wearing on the nerves to have long illness
and besides, my dear, there will be no fun
ersl expense to pay, and that Is quite asaV
ing"
Mrs. Peters lip quivered, and her larg
blue eyes filed with tears. Joe longed t
quit his heartless speech, and comfort he1
but he was fearful the desired effect wa
not yet gained.
must go. have been thinking of gettin
another wife.
ssWhat?" cried Mrs. Peters.
H"Another wife, my love The hous
must be kept in order, and the boys care
for" a' i-3ee- l'a5 -.-5"
The grief was gone from Maria's fact
but her teeth were set with look OF terc
wrath.
''Another wife, Josephl Another wife
Yes l think / have selected a goo
successor. I have deliberated long tim'
when was q bachelor, between her an
Yourself You will like her; she is yoT
bosom friend?'
ssWhatl Sarah IngrahamI"
eyes, my dear. think that on the ds
Won ascend, will marry Sarah Ingraham
s.Whati that good-for-nothing, silly, en-
pity headed old maid, the mother OF n
childrenl Whatr'
"WelI, my dear, it seems to be the De
1 can do. ldon't want to leave my bus
ness and go counting, and she viii ma
me, l know"
'tNo Doubt Oh, you great brutal, hat
s.Stop, my dear, don't fly into fury. v
will Try to spend our last week in hapT
ness Oh, by the way, 1 have propoi
ton to make.
seGo on. sir!, Do not spare mel"
sAh. YES, that is the veiy thing wish
do. know your mind is entirely y engro
sed with YOUR ascension, and l wish to spa
YOU the care of the house: Suppose u
invite Sarah here tomorrow, to stop
week.
z'Whatr'
"Then can arrange our matrimon1
preparations in the evening, while you a
at the lecture
fWhatP
"And you can leave the house in b.
charge all day. That viii give you plen
oftime to go out, and she can learn Il
WAYS of the house. ~
esWhafW