Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-08-22

generally TO ABOUT thirty snllllngs per
week. Now, although he was in the
habit of paying frequent visits to the
public house, he was not by any means
what people would call drunkard. In
deed, he would have felt insulted if any
one had dared to apply such term to
him, and, no doubt, would have been
ready in his way to prove that he only
took what he thought would do him good.
1t was true he did on Saturday night
: sometimes get over the score, as the
friendly glass went round more freely
) than usual, and also went home later now
and then. But the cheerful song caused
the time to fly so fast that he felt he must
prove that he was a good fellow, who
must do as others do. If at such times
the wife complained that the money lett
was barely sufficient to purchase the reed-
full things for the coming week, he was
apt to tell her to "mind her own busi-
ness" and a few sharp words between
them would often follow. But alas
such scenes are too well known to need
description, and Mary, like many others,
had grown weary with complaining; so
she had firmly resolved to do her best to
make the house as comfortable as her
; limited means would allow, and, by kind
words and looks, TO strive to make the
heme as attractive as possible, feeling as
sured that by such means she might ex-
pect to draw him from the public-house
the opposite course would most likely
drive and keep him there.
John, having received his wages, went
back to his bench, and for few minutes
stood with his money in his hand, evil
!; dently hesitating what to do.
"Well, what shall do2" at length he
said to himself. 81 must go and pay my
score, for don't wish to he dishonest. II
knew how much it was I'd send it; but
never mind, I'll go and pay her off and
have done with her forever"
In q few minutes he was once more
within the reach OF the landlady of the
"Golden Eagle
The moment she caught sight of him
she put on her best smiles, and without
giving him time to utter word, said in
the most pleasant way she could:
81 am so glad to see you, John. We've
Just tapped barrel of our best" Draw
ing a glass and holding it to him, she
added, {" 1 wish your opinion oft"
"No, thank you, l don't want any,
) said John; "I've come to pay you what
owe. How much is 2'
"What's your hurry?" said Mrs Boni-
face. "Come, take glass like man."
"No, not a drop" said John; " want
! to be off
"Well, will you have a glass of some,
thing short? p she asked again, very press
ing. "Tom Smiths in the parlor, and
Dick Bates will be here directly; you're
} not going just yet"
, Will you let me know how much /
owe you! !" said John, getting impatient,
cor I'll go without settling"
) "Ah! see now that | put my foot
into it this afternoon, and offended you, "
said the landlady; but hope you won't
mind few words spoken in haste; come,
do let us be friends once more"
"Not a dram will [ take here or sny
where else, if know it; and as to offend
ing me, don't see that-it matters to you
SO long as you get your money"
"But," said the landlady, while she was
reckoning up the P's and Q's pints and
quarts, 81 don't like to quarrel with any
one, especially with you. Now do let us
make it up; and as for the cherries, why
was only joking, as you will see, for I've
kept them on purpose for you"-fetching
them out of the parlor-" see, here they
are"
"No. thank you," said John, with a
smile; /" | took your advice and went and
bought some, which were delicious. Now,
take what | owe you out of this sover-
eign, for want to be off.
81 don't like" said the landlady, as
she took up the money, really to change
this without your tasting something.
What ,cW You take?"
"Nothing, say again; | don't believe
in your throwing sprat to catch mack
erel," said John, speaking impatiently.
Taking up his change, he walked out, and
was soon on his way home.
"Well, | have made a nice mess of it
this time!" thought the landlady. "tf
ever get caught again losing my temper,
I'll be bound it shall not be over such a
good customer rs he has been. If it had
been one of those noisy fellows shouldn't
have cared a bit; but nice quiet fellow
like John, who takes his glasses so regu-
larly, and pays up so well every eek.
But I'll look out and lay my traps to
catch him before long, and the first chance
I get to set him going again | will. He
is not going to slip off in this way, | can
assure him; he is too good to lose with
out an effort and he may depend upon it
that when | have him right again, Fll
keep him, | warrant"
While she was thus planning in her
own mind Johns future capture, he had
hurried home, and reached it, much to
The surprise of his wife, long before his
usual time She soon put the kettle on
for his tea, and, while setting the tea
things, the water boiled.
John took his tea almost in silence,
which was so unusal that Mary was on
the point of asking him what was the
matter. or now it was that he was home
SO soon. Just as she was going to speak
he put his hand in his pocket, and taking
ont some money. threw it i'll Eer lap, say
ing, ~ suppose you'll be going to market
soon. Mary ?"
"Yes." said Mary, and she would have
added, "And | shall be glad to GO soon :"
but she had learned, by past experience,
that she must not say too much on Satur-
day night. Taking up The money, she
went into the bedroom to put on her
hnnnet and shawl On looking To see