The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-10-18
JOHNS WIFE.

? - -
4 Miss Barbara Snyder sat in . 4
straightbacked chair, before the f,rr
her feet on the fender, her head droou
ing, her eyes closed--to tell the truth
although she would have indienantl,
denied it, Miss Ba,ba-a Snyder wa,
asleep. Her maid, hard featured. mid
dle-aged woman, who was moving about
the room, quitting it in order" as she
did fifty times . day, at her mistress
command, and watching her furtivelv
to SEQ that she did not fall into the FIRE
"Jane," said Miss Barbara, suddenly
waking and sitting bolt upright with
unblinking eyes, 'if he comes-and
am sure he will-don't let him inr'
"No, ma'am," answered Jane sub.
missively. =
"Tell him he has seen me for the Last
time, the hypocritei to pretend xiwsys
\ TO be 80 fond of me, and then 20 And
marry some empty-headed doll-baby.
Be sure and send him away, Jane"
Yes, ma'am.n
| A sudden commotioa in the lower
hall interrupted them; a few bars of a
! popular air, whistled in a mastery
manner, a rapid clattsr of boot heels on
the stairs, and then a young gentlemen
| who mi isht have sat as a model for a
modern Hercules, rushed in, and falling
over an ottoman, upsetting a chair, and
sking confusion worse confounded"
in the quiet room, dashed at Miss Bar.
bara and took her by storm.
Congratulate met" he cried, after
imprinting half dozen kisses on her
withered cheek. "Aun Barby, she is
the dearest"
You may 60, Jane" Miss Barbara
had recovered from the shock "A little.
and as Jane had retired, she folded her
mittened hands tightly together, and
turned upon him.
Nephew john"
There was comical expression of
despair on the yourg fellows face at
this unpropitious beginning, but he said
nothing.
Nephew John, am disappointed in
you am not angry, but l am deeply
grieved-"
why, Aunt Barbyr' The blue eyes
of her listener opened wide, but she ST.
fenced him by a stately gesture.
"Please be quiet-1 wish to speak. l
have done my duty TO you, john
There was little tremble in her voice
as she said this, but she went on grim
ly), sand now that you were just coming
to manhood John was twenty.six),
and l had begun to trust in you a little,
you desc. t me for doll baby" !
"She is not a doll.baby r. said the
young husband Indignantly. If you
only knew her you would love her
dearly"
"Eonsense |" The black eyes snapped
- All ,irls arc fools nova.
days, but no matter, you have chosen
between US. My will is made, and
shall not change it, but you will never
he again to me as you were before.'
There was q real distress in John Bar
:on's heart as he rose and stood before
her.
" If you will only lot me bring her
here to you," he pleaded. al am sorry
you are SO displeased. Aunt Bxrby,
don't let this part u.s.
/" You have chosen" The Sphynx
could not have looked more unmoved.
q" ordered them not to admit you-you
need not come again."
" If you will only hear me"
But / won't-good afternoon" And
so john Barton left her, wi Ii 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 q woman, and in her heart |
OF hearts she loved John Barton, her 1
handsome nephew, dearly. His mother,
her only sister, had died when he was
little child, and his father dying soon
after, Miss Barbara had, in . fashion,
adopted him. She had induiged him
from the first day of his entrance into
her house; che had watched over him
and made him her one object in life.
He had been the gieam of sunshine in
her lonely life, and TO his honor be it
said, he had never been unworthy of
the love and confidence which she gave
him. "Aunt -Bsrby" was TO him the
only person in the world, and although
people nMveled at the affection of the
bright-faced young man for his grim old
aunt, 1t was genuine and true. lie had
gone through college in q thoroughly
satisfactory manner, and afterwards had |
settled down into az steady and trust |
worthy young business man as there |
was in the city; and for three years had
behaved entirely according to his
aunt's wish in every respect.
One day, however, the peace and tran.
quillity OF Miss Barbara's household was |
broken up by whisper which came to
her ears-John, her John, was "paying
attention to omebody She was az frat |
incredulous, but as the days went by she |
wrs forced to believe it; for one night,
John, sitting at her feet, his yellow hair
shining in the freight, told her with
much confusion and embarrassment
that he "was going to be married."
Mss Barbara was good woman, but
che was very Whimsical, q little selfish,
and above all, very jealous of her own
dignity, and the knowledge that John
had asserted his independence and ac-
tually planned out his future life with
out consulting her beforehand was
very hard thing for her to bear. She
was not patent nor forgiving, and the
result of Johns confidence was very
unpleasant scene. She who had never
spoken TO him harshly before over
whelmed him with hard, bitter words,
and then, when he WAS gone. vept her
self asleep over his "ingratitude," as she
called it.
When at last he was really married,
her anger knew no bounds, and his
first visit to her after that event ended
as we have seen.
The days passed slowly after John,
with his bright face and ringing voice,
was banished, and Miss Barbara, half
regretting her harshness, was often
tempted TO send for him again but her |
u u-.l L. ..llaI a