Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-21
Misfsllaiteotls.
TOM FOSTERS WIFE.
BY EDNA DEAN PROCTOR.

had just returned from two wears
stay'in Europe, and was sauntering down
fremont street. in the golden September
morning. when saw my old friend, Tom
Foster. get out of a horse.car a few steps
in advance of me. l knew him in a mo-
ment, though we had hardly met since
we were at Exeter Academy together, ten
years beiore--roOm mates and blithe com.
panions until we parted-I to go to Har.
ward and he to enter his fathers store, the
well known house of Foster & Co., Pearl
street. He was merry, hearty practical
fellow, clear-sknned aud robust as an
Englishman, self-reliant and enterprising
rs New Hampshire birth and Boston train
ing could make him. Ialways liked him.
but he plunged into business and into
study, and SO, without meaning it, we had
almost lost sight of each other. He was
an only child and his parents spent their
summers at their homestead in Greenland,
near Portsmouth, and their winters in
Boston.
As said, knew him in moment. He
had grown tall and stout, but the boy was
still in his face, and with a flush Of early
feeling sprang forward and caught him
by the arm.
Tom! How are you?''
He looked puzzled for a moment. and
then. bursting into a laugh, he seized my
hand IN his strong grasp, and exclaimed:
why, John Ralston! Is this you /?
Where did you come from ? I'm glad to
see you, my boy. Why, haven't set
my eyes on you since we made that trip to
Nahant, in your Freshman year. The
truth IL, father was so poorly for long
time then that | had everything to see to.
and felt ms If The world was on nv shoul-
de-s. did hear. though. about your col
lege honors, and your going to Germany
and We often thought Of you lately and
wished to see you. Why, Jack. in spite
OF my weight and your beard and broad
shoulders, can't realize that ten years
have gone since we were nc Exeter to-
gether. We must talk over old times and
new. When did you get back and what
are your plans?"
81 came yesterday, and shall stay In
the city, on account Of business matter.
until next Tuesday. Then / am going
home.''
"Well, now, this is Saturday, and you
can do nothing after three O'Clock. Come
and spend Sunday with me in the country.
want to show you my WIFE,"
y our wife! Are you married, Tom ?"
Married nearly Il year." said he, with
SMILE
"You don't look very solemn over it,"
"Solemn? It's the iolliest thing ever
did in my life. Meet me at the Eastern
Depot at four o'clock, and I'll tell You all
about it on the wav down.
We parted at the Winter street corner
he to go to his store, and to the Par
ker House.
GLOW handsome Boston has grown
said !, glancing at the fine buildings and
the Common, beautiful in the September
sun.
Eve think it a nice town." he replied,
speaking with the moderate words and
the perfect assurance of the Bostonian, to
whom his city is theeum of all excellence
and delight. Remember, four o clock"
And he disappeared in the crowd.
Tom married. said to myself, as |
walked along. IL dare say it IS to his
fathers pretty ward, Clara Maitland
whom ! saw when spent the day there,
eleven years ago. l remember what long
curls she had aud how fond she seemed OF
him. Yes, dare say it's to Clara.
hope, though. she hasn't grown up into
one OF those delicate young ladies, good
ior nothing but to display the latest fash
ions and waltz little and torture the
piano Better some rosy. sturdy German
Gretchen than poor doll like them. 1t
would be n shame for Tom, with his splen-
did physique and vigorous brain, to be tied
Tor life to such Il woman!' - And then
turning down School street, my thoughts
wandered off to a blue-eyed girl / had
loved for many year--a girl who was
not satisfied with the small triumphs OF
the croquet ground, but who could send
an arrow straight home to the mark and
climb the hills with me. her step light and
tree as the deer's in the glade below;
and hold steady oar in our boat on the
river; and swim ashore, If need should
be; and then, when walk or row was
over. who could sit down to lunch of
cold meat and bread-and-b with an
appetite as keen as young Indians al
ter days hunt; yes. and who knew how
to be efficient in the kitchen and the rar.
es, ornament Of the parlor. How impa-
ient was to see her. the bewitching
maiden whom prince might have been
proud 10 marry. And again said to my.
self, as went up the Parker House steps;
Il do hope Tom hasn't made fool of
HIMSELF" a
Four o'clock found me at the station;
and II moment later in walked Tom, car
rying u basket filed with jersey peaches.
They don't grow in Greenland said he
tucking the paper down over the fruit.
COME this way followed him, and
we had just seated ourselves comfortably
in the car when the train moved off.
"Now for the story. Tom,n said !. as
we crossed the bridge and caught the
breeze cool from the sea. a.But l can
guess beforehand the girl you married.
1t was Clara Maitland"
| A shadow passed over Toms face.
.'Clara has been dead four years" said he.
"She inherited consumption from her
mother. We did everything for her--took
her to Minnesota and Florida; but Il was
no use. She didn't live to see her eigh.
teenth birthday"
..Poor Clara She loved you dearly.
Then suppose you chose some Boston
girl of your acquaintance"
Jack. you couldn't tell who Mrs. Tom
Foster was if you should try from now till
morning. shall have to enlighten you"
And. moving the basket to one side and
settling himself in his seat.a he went on
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