The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-04
NOBODY BUT JOHN.

it NOBODY BUT JOHN.
"Some one is coming,n said I, as the
\ hck Of the shutting gate fell on my ears
LSiGd | looked at Magge's soiled, untidy
sSs,ll'S, and tumbled hair
~ Maggie started, and glanced hastily from
[e window; then sat down again III a
, Ar9leSs way, remarking, as she did SO:
I. "It'' nobody but John"
Nobody but John! And who do you
"A i'ink that nobody was 7 Only her hus.
n and
tLsN,JFoOdy but John.
/. 4 few moments afterwnrd John Fair
burn came into the room where we were
sitting, and gave me one Of his frank, cor
dial greetings. had known him for many
years, and long before his marriage. |
noticed that he gave an annoyed glance at
his wife, but did not speak to her The
meaning Of this annoyance and Indifference
was plain to me; for John had come Of
neat and tidy family. His mothers house.
keeping had always been notable. She
was poor but as !" time and water are to
be had for nothing"-this was ono Of her
sayings s-she always managed to have
things about clean and orderly.
Maggie Lee had pretty face, bright
eyes, and charming little ways that were
very taking with the young men, and so
was quite belle before she got ont Of her
teens, She had knack Of fixing her rib
bons, or tying her scarf, or arranging her
hair, shawl, or dress in q way to give grace
and charm to ber person. None but her
most intimate friends knew of the untidi'
ness that prevailed her root and person
when at home and away from common
observation.
Poor John Fairburn was taken in when
he married Maggie Lee. lie thought that
he was getting the tidicst, ncatest, sweet
est and most orderly girl in town, but
discovered too soon that he was united to
careless slattcrn. She would dress for
other peoples eyes, because she had nat.
ural love Of admiration; but at home and
for her husband she put on her old duds.
and went looking often "likc the old
scratch" rs the saying is.
On the particular occasion of which |
am spcaking-it was after she and. John
had been married over year-her appear
ancc was almost disgusting. She did not
have on even morning dress; only a
faded and tumbled chintz sack above a
soiled skirt-no collar-slippsrs down at
the heels, and dirty stockings. Her hair
looked like a hurrars nest; II any one
knows what this isl don't; but ! sup
pose It Is the perfection Of disorder. No
one could love such looking creature.
That was simply impossible.
"Nobody but John!h looked Ot the
bright, handsome young man and Won
dercd. He ate bis dinner almost in silence,
and then won't back to his work. | had
never seen HIM so moody.
mWhat's come over John 7" ! asked as
he went out.
"Oh, don't know" his wife answered.
Something wrong at the shop, | suppose.
He's had trouble with one Of the men.
lie is foreman, you know"
Are you sure it's only thatp asked,
looking serious.
"T6at, or something about his work.
There's nothing else to worry him."
was silent for awhile, debating with
myself whether good or harm would come
Of little plain talk with Johns wife.
She was rather quick tempered, | know,
and easy to take otlense. At last l ven
tured the remark.
"NIay be things arc not just to his lik-
ing at home"
"At homc!n Maggie turned on nc with
fash of surprise in her faco. "What do
YOU mean {"
"Men like beauty, taste and n"atness
in their wives Us well as In their sweet
hearts, said
The crimscnmountcd to her hair At
the same moment | saw her glance at a
,ookipg.glass that hung opposite to her on
the wall. She sat very still, yet with a
startled look in her eyes, until the flash
faded away, and her face became almost
pale.
"Maggic," said I, rising aud drawing
my arm around her, leone up stairs. |
have something very serious to say to
you.n ..
We walked from the little dining. room
and up to her chamber in silence, ! then
said:
"Maegie, want to tell you about a
dear friend Of mine who made shipwrcck
Of happiness and life. II is a sad story,
but | am sure It will interest you deeply.
She was my cousin; and her name was"
Maggie bent forward, listening attcn'
lively. "Whut Z" she asked % heSi-
tated on the name.
" Helen"
"Not Helen White, who married John
Harding, and was afterward deserted by
her husband7"
Yes; my poor, dear cousin Helen. II
Is Of her | am going to tell your
81 never knew why her husband went
oIr@ he did, said Maggie. "Some said
be was to blame, and some put all the
fault oil her. How was III"
"Both were to blame but she most,
| replied. "John Harding, like your hus.
band, was one of the neatcst and most
orderly Of men. Anything untidy in his
home, or in the person of bis wife, annoyed
and often put him out Of humor but he
did not, as he should have done, speak
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