Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-06-26
JOHNS WIFE.


Miss Barbara Snyder sat in her
straight backed chair before the fire,
her feet on the fender her head droop-
ing, her eyes closed-to tell the truth,
although she would have Indignantly
denied it, Miss Barbara Snyder was
asleep. Her maid, hard featured,
middie-aged woman, was moving about
the room, putting it in order" " as she
did fifty times day, at her mistress's S
command, and watching her furtively
to see that she did not fall into the fire.
"Jane," said Miss Barbara, suddenly
waking and sitting bolt upright with
unbhnking eyes, if he comes-ana I
am sure he will-dO not let HIM come
in, y s4-- ts-.s .-..- -..t-i
/ ''No ms'am, answered Jane submis-
tell him he has seen me for the
last time-the hypocrite Ito pretend
always to. be SO fond OF. me, and then 90
and marry some empty headed doll
baby, Be sure and send him away
Jane !"
q Yes, ma'am."
A sudden commotion in the dover
hall Interrupted them; few bars of a
popular air whistled in a masterly
manner, rapid clatter of boot heels
the stairs, and then a young gentleman,
who might have sat as model for a
modern Hercules, rushing IN and fall
ing over on an ottoman, upsetting a
chair and making Confusion worse
confounded'' in the quiet room, dashed
at Miss Barbara and took her by storm.
Congratulate me he cried, after
lmprlnt1ng a half-dozen kisses on her
withered cheek. "Aunt Barby, she is
the dearest
g You may go, Jane" Miss Bar
bara had recovered from the shock a
little, and as Jane had retired she fold
ed her mittened hands tightly together
and turned upon him Nephew John. 3"
There was comical expression Of
despair on the young fellows face at
this unpropitious beginning, but he
said nothing.
{" Nephew John-I am disappointed
in you [ am not angry, but [ am
deeply grieved-" .TEr--E
Why Aunt Barby!" The blue
eyes Of her listener opened wide, but
she silenced him by stately gesture.
Please be quiet-I wish to speak.
[ have done my duty by you, John"
there was a little trembie in her voice
as she said this, but she went on grim
lD, "and now that you were just COM
ing to manhood John was twenty-six),
aud had begun to trust in you a lit
tie, you desert me now for IA doll
baby"
'EShe is not doll-baby!" said the
young husband Indignantly. eff you
only knew her you would love her
dearly $50. = azz.as - @EE# a -
"Nonsense.' the black eyes snap
ped decidedly, "AIl girls are fools
now-a~days-but no matter, you have
chosen between us. My will Is made,
and [ shall not change it, but you will
never be again to me as you were be-
fore"
There was a real distress in John
Barton's heart as he rose and stood be-
fore her, "If you will only let me
bring her to see you," he pleaded 81
am sorry you are SO displeased. Aunt
Barby don't let this part us. p
''You have chosen" The sphinx
could not have looked more unmoved.
6 | ordered them not to admit you
you need not come again"
If you will only hear mes
~"But L won't-good afternoon. :"
And sosJohn, Barton left her, with her
face turned away from him and her
hands still clasped before her. .--.-...
Miss Barbara Snyder was proud, Miss
Barbara was wealthy, Miss Barbara
Snyder was fond of her own way, but
! she was still a woman and in her heart
OF hearts she loved John Barton, her
handsome nephew, dearly His moth
er, her only sister, had died when he
was little child, and his father diving
soon after, Miss Barbara had, in fash
ion, adopted him. She had indulged
him from the first day of his entrance
INTO her house she had watched over
him and made him her one object in
life. He had been the one CLEAN of
sunshine in her lonely life, and to his
honor be it said, he had never been rln-
worthy of the love and confidence which
she gave to him. "Aunt Barby" was
to him the only person in the world,
and although people marveled at the
affection OF the bright faced young fell
low for his grim old aunt, it was GEN
une and true. He had gone through
| college IN thoroughly satisfactory
manner; and afterward had settled
down into as steady and Trustworthy a
/ young business man as there was IN the
e''yy and Tor three years had behaved