The Van Buren press., 1872-06-25
A Jealous Husband.

Shortly after being comfortably settled
in my new house, along with Mrs.
Spivins, business summoned me to the
rural districts.
despa ched the affair in hand with
what speed | might, and knowing that
Mrs s would be on the tender hooks Of
suspense until she saw me, jumped aboard
a convenient train, and hurried home to
relieve her.
1t WIS night when | again reached
dUlce d0mun There was something so
provocative in the darkness and utter
quiet in which found the premises wrap
ped that | determined to give lovely
surprise but nature appealing to me on
n vital point. dropped into the dining
room with the view Of refreshing myself
with bit Of cold Joint by way Of pre-
liminary
Striking light, found that my wants
had been anticipated, for there on the Ia
bls lay the remains Of repast-breast OF
chicken, cakes, cheese and what not. BE.
ing sharp set. pitched in, glass OF old
port materially assisting the process OF
digestion.
All at once my eye caught sight of a
meerschaum upon the mantle. Now there
is nothing alarming in meerschaum per
Ioe but when the meefschaum is the prop
atNs of stranger and is found upon
ones own premises during his absence
it becomes invested with an Importance
which it could derive from no other cir
cumstanccs. There was also paper OF
Turkish tobacco. Tho fellow has taste
at all events" said |, and ] filed and
smoked, drank bumper and cosiIa'ed
Now, Maria knows am not the least
bit Jealous; knows it had never entered
my head to suspect her Of an imprudence
bat this, to say the least Of it, had very
suspicious look. | drank again. Yet J
protest vas not at all jealous. At that
moment ! started and sprang from my
seat as at the touch Of an electric battery,
for on the settec in the corner lay an i'm
pudcut looking hat and cane, and even
pair of cloves TO smash the hat INTO
smilhereens, 10 tear the gloves into frag
mcnts. to snap the cane into flinders was
the work Of moment. | took another
bumper, and folding my arms glared ma
jcstically around Not that was Jcal.
Gus. Oh, dear, no
was resuming my seat and pipe, to
cogitatc over course Of procedure,
when | received another shock. My eye
had alightcd upon note which had fall
en- beneath the table, 1t was in femln-
inc hand Dear Charlie, it ran, :" I'm
So Glad you've arrived. Sammy's away.
Don't stand upon ceremony, Wen have
such nice time, Cold lunch and all
agreeable. Come over at once.
Sammy's my name. Periidlous wo-
man !! is thus
And rip went the odious mlssIve INTO
n dozen pieces There was rose which
had no doubt, been in his bnttonhole, !
supposed threw that in the fra after
tranplinr on it, fortified myself with
another glass, took OIL my stockings,
and started up stairs. On the way !
stumbled over a strange cat in the kitch
en-
Ia my ascent suppose | made some
noise, for strange dog set up q furious
yell in the back area. 1t may be as well
to 90 prepared for contingencies, | re
| nectcd as re entered the parlor, with n
view to possessing myself Of the poker
Dark as it was secured the desired OBJ
icct, and was rctreating, when ] fancied
somebody came in on tptoe, Holding
my breath, lodged past him, and crept
M stairs like thief, not that ! was at
all Jealous, but only to see what was go.
ing on. After pause during which !
,f ri
tried the bedroom door 1t was not
locked, and all was dark within \ gen
tie snorc--not rough, exasperatng,
reckless thing but more Of musical
moan, came from the bed.
"Shc is asleep, mused | " the sleep
Of the yirtuous and what | thought the
step Of a strangers toes was the tread OF
that cat Poor dear Maria how could !
so wrong you?' | disrobed and slipped
into bed
Charlie, how long you have been "
said feminine voice,
Gracious goodness it was that or n
stranger. A cold perspiration broke ou'
all over me rs reflected upon tho hor
rors Of my situation. The house | had
purchased was one of pair which had
been built exactly alike. and sleepy di
rect from the cars, must have entered
my neighbours mansion instead OF my
own
bounced out upon the floor
Excuse me, dear" | whispered
thing | hear burglars,
What again think You must DC
mistaken.
"Tll go and see said ! and hnd-
ding on something CROPPED my way to
the stairs descended them with cold
feeling all the way down ny back, ana