The Van Buren press., 1871-04-04

home, whlstling. MARIA WAS seated at
her sewing, and there were no signs OF
preparation tor the evening meal.
Maria, my dear, said Mr.. Peters, ,"is
tea ready y
IL don't know" was the answer /;
(" have been out all dayattending meet
ing"
"Oh, Joseph, must go when am
called y
Yes, my dear, Of course. Well, !
must resign myself, | suppose. BY the
way, my dear, has it never occurred to
you that shall be left widower with
three childrcns | think am hand
some man yet, my love " And Joe
walked over to the glass, passed his I'm
gers through his halr, and pulled up his
collar. Maria looked up in surprise.
You see, my dear, it is rather re-
lief for you to go quickly. you KNOW
is 50 wearirst on the nerves to have i'll
ness aud besilcs, my dear, there VIII b'
no funeral expenses to pay, and that Is
quite saving.
Mrs. Peter. lip quivered, and her large
blue eyes filed with tears.
Joe longed to quit his heartless speech
and comfort her, but lie WAS fearful the
desired effect was not yet gained.
80, my DEAR" he continued, ifyou
must go. have been thinking Of getting
another wife.
"What 7" cried Mrs. Peters.
"Another wife, my love. The house
must he kept IN order, and the boys cared
for. "
The grief was gone from Maria's face,
but her teeth was set with look OF
fierce wrath.
"Another wife, Joseph? Another
wifeY'
"Yes, | think l have selected good
successor. / deliberated long time
when | was a bachelor between her and
yourself Yon will like her; she is your
bosom friend.
"What? Sarah Ingraham 2"
"Yes, my dear, think that on the day
You ascend, l will marry Sarah Ingra-
ham. "
What. that good for-notmng, silly,
empty headed cid maid the mother of my
children! WHAT"
"Well, my dear, it seems the best that
| can do. don't want TO leave my bu
siness to go n courting, and she will have
me no doubt.
"Oh, no doubt, Oh, you great, bru-
tai hateful"
"Stop, my dear; don't go into Jury
We will try and spend our last week in
happiness And oh, by the way. have
a proposition to make.
"Go on, sir don't spare me.
SAY, yes, that is the very thing wish
to do know that your mind IS entirely
engrossed by your ascension, and wish
to spare you the care Of the house Sup
stop week +"
What p
And YOU can leave the house in her
charge all day. That will give plen.
ty of time to go out, 50 she can learn the
ways Of the house. -
"Whatl'
"And, my dear, one little favor 1t
may be the last shall ever ask you,
Stay at home one or two days and show
her around. where you keep things, and
so on, SO that we won't have any trouble
in keeping order after you 60 70 will
do this to obligc me, won't you?'
Mrs. Peters for an answer, rolled up
the ascension robe into a ball and fired it
at Joe. The cotton, scissors, the work.
basket and the table cloth followed each
other in rapid succession, and he was un.
able to fly. Then Maria's rage found
vent in words;
80 you are going to marry Sarah !?
That's the reason you whist,ed so nice
when YOU came in But you shan't mar
ry her. sir-you shan't have the gratli
cation. won't go ltell you, Mr.. Pc
ters, won't go. "
" But consider, my dear. y
81 won't go!'
:" But my dear, you must 60 il you are
come for"
81 won't go"
"But what will Sarah 1ngraham think
of it?'
Isaiah! Don't mention Sarah to me
again -I-I-I-oh /! am fairly chok.
ing and the little woman threw herself
into a chair in fit Of Mysteries.
Next morning Mr. Peters met Fred on
the street.
"Well, old boy, how goes it z"
Erred, " was the reply, " ! am the hap
picst man alvs. have regained my
wife and domestic peace, and got rid Of
a busy tatting old maid, who under pre-
tense of loving my wife, was everlasting
ly interfering in our household arrange
ments. "
"Then. Mrs. Peters will not ascend,
will she D.
If Sarah is to he my second wife and
step mother to my children, Mrs. Peters
has concluded on the whole, she won't
go"
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