The Plymouth Democrat., 1870-08-18
MR.. PETERS FIRST WIFE.

And Mr.. Peters rose from the table in a |
temper by no means amiable, and rang The |
bell violently There was no answer. |
He rang again, and third and fourth |
time, and still no answer Out of all pa |
thence, he went to the door and called
"Maria Marial"
A slight, pretty little woman, dressed in
a soiled, tumbled wrapper, with hair in a
state of direful confusion, answered his
summons. She had one Of those faces
which nature intended should be decked
with continual smiles; but now, all its
roses in bloom, it was drawn to its fullest
length, and the large blue eyes had a seri-
Gus, or rather doleiul expression, totally
at variance with its usual joyous look.
Her voice, too, had lost its melodious
ringing sound, and was subducd to dis
nal whine
"What is it, Joseph"
Where's Bridget?"
"Gone out for me; want more white
ribbon for my ascension robe"
Mr.. Peters said very naughty word,
and then continued:
"Cold coffee, hard eggs, and breakfast
not fit to eat"
81 wish," whined his wife, "you would
think less of temporal matters and turn
your attention to the great end of life."
"Hang it all, madam, like to enjoy my
life while have it. Here was 1, the hap
piest man in the United States, pleas
ant home, g chatty loving wife and good,
quiet children, and now, since you have
Joined the Millerites, what am I?'
60, Joseph, if you would only come in
to the blessed circle"
90, Maria, if you would only come out
of il. Where are the boz y"
"I'm sure | don't tkuow."
care they going to schOol?"
"NO, dear Joseph"
"FOr what reason, madam?
"My dear, their teacher has given up
tie school, and is turning her mind TO
more exalted objects. 0 Joseph, turn now,
while there is time. You still have week
| for preparation and repentance"
Repentance! Well, when / take up
the subject, it will take more than week
to put 1t through"
And NJ. Peters put on his coat aud took
up his hat
"Joseph," said his wife, "you need not
send home any dinner. l shall be out, and
I'll take the boys over to their uncle's to
dinner"
/ Joe made no answer, unless the violent
| " emphatic manner III which he closed
the door was one. Muttering with anger
he strobe into a restaurant to make q
breakfast. Here he was hailed by one OF
his old friends, Fred. Somers, who looked
up as he heard Joe's order.
"Hallo!" be cried, "you here Wha
are you doing here at breakfast time
Wife sick?"
"No."
"Had QUARREL"
"NO."
"Gone to town."
"No."
"Then why don't you breakfast q
home? Chimney on tirc!"
"No."
"Servants al dead?"
NO"
"Well, what then is to pay?"
Maria's joined the Millerites"
Fred gave long, shrill whistle, snt
then said: "GOing 10 ascend mex
week }"
"Yes, and if don't commit suicide i,
the meantime you may congratulate me
am almogt distracted. Can't get de
cent meal, children running riot, house il
confusion, servants saucy, wife got tn,
blues, either quoting the speeches Of tin
elders at me or sewing On robe ani
groaning every third or fourth stitch
Hang it all, Fred, Eve great notion t.
join the army or take poison"
HIN, him! you draw an enchanting
,, picture, but think / can suggest cure.
"A cure?"
/: "Yes, if you will promise to take m,
advice, | will make your home pleasant
E your wife cheerful, and your childre
! happy. -
: word like soldier under his superio
: officer. What shall do?"
AT tea-time Mr. Peters entered hi
: home, whistling. Maria was seated at he
sewing, and there were no signs OF preps
ration for the evening meal.
" Maria, my DEAR" said Mr.. Peters, g"
tea ready?"
q 81 don't know" was the answer
: have been out all day attending NEE
r ing"
/ "Oh, very well-nevsr mind. ATTEND
0 ing The meeting. You are resolved, thel
2 to leave next week 2"
!. "Oh, Joseph, must go when l q,
\ called"
Yes, my dear, of course Well, mu
4 resign myself, suppose. By the way, liz
It dear, has it ever occurred to you that
shall be left a. widower, with three chi
+ dren! think am handsome man We
J. my love-" ard Joe walked over to til
c glass, pressed his fingers through his hal
: and pulled up his collar. Maria locke
# up in surprise.
;. "You see, my dear, it's rather a reli
o tor you to go quickly, you know-it Is s
r wearing on the nerves to have illness
y and besides, my dear, there will be L
:. funeral expenses to pay, and that is quit
l. a saving"
# Mrs. Peters lip quivered, and her lars
IS blue eyes filed with tears.
It Joe longed to quit his heartless speec
s and comfort her, but he was fearful IL
II desired effect was not yet gained.
: $50, my DEAR" he continued, off yc
O must go, have been thinking of getiin
&C another wife"
It "Whatp cried Mrs. Peters.
n Another wife, my love. The hou
N must be kept in order, and the boys car,
l. for"
n The grief was gone from Maria's fac
l. but her teeth were set with look
fierce wrath
'e Another wife, Joseph. Another wife
rs Yes think l have selected ge;
t. successor. deliberated a long time VIII
le | was q bachelor, between heI and yor
IL self. You will like her. She is yo
ie bosom friend"
N w hat Sarah Ingraham?'
re Yes, my dear, think that On the Ii
I'd you ascend, will marry Sarah Ingl
n. ham,"
lr What That good for-nothing, sill
ly empty-headed old maid, the mother of II
to ChildIcnl What?"
n well, my dear, it seems to me the b.
/ can do. / don't want To- leave my bu
ness to go courting, and she will ha
me- NO dOUht