Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-10-26
JOHNS WIFE.

Miss Barbara Snyder sat in er
straight.bac chair, before the tre,
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, mid.
dle-aged woman, who was moving about
the room, putting 1t in order,' as she
did fifty times q day, at her mistress
command, and watching her furtively
"Jane," said Miss Barbara, suddenly
unblnking eyes, "if he comes-and [
"No, ma'am," answered Jane sub
missively.
"Tell him he has seen me for the last
time, the hypocri,e to 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"
yes, ma'am."
A sudden commotion in the lower
hall interrupted them; few bars OF
popular air, whistled in mastery
manner, a rapid clatter of boot heels on
the stairs, and then a young gentleman,
who might have sat as IA model for
modern Hercules, rushed in, and falling
over an ottoman, upsetting a chair, and
making confusion worse confounded"
in the quiet room, dashed at Miss Bar
bara and took her by storm.
Congratulate men' he cried, after
imprinting a half dozen kisses on her
withered cheek. "Aunr Barby, she is
the dearest"
"Iou may go, Jane" Miss Barbara
had recovered from the shock little,
and as Jane had retired, she folded her
mittened hands tightly together, and
turned upon him.
Nephew John
There was conlical expression of
despair on the yourg fellows face at
tins unpropitious beginning, but he said
nothing.
Nephew John, am disappointed in
you am not angry, but am deeply
rrieved-"
why, Aunt Barby p The blue eyes
of her listener opened wide, but she ST.
fenced him by a stately gesture.
"Please be quiet wish to speak. l
have done my duty to you, John"
(there was a lutte tremble in her voice
as she said this, but she went on grim
ly), land now that you were just coming
to manhood (John was twenty-six),
and had begun to trust in you a little,
you desc. me for a doll, baby"
"She is not a doll, baby p said the
young husband Indignantly. " If you
only knew her you would love her
dearly
"Nonsense r The black eyes snapped
decidedly. CAN girls are fools nova
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 We're before"
There was real distress in John Bar
toms heart as he rose and stood before
her.
:" If you will only let me bring her
here to you," he pleaded 81 am sorry
you are so displeased. Aunt Barby,
don't let this part U.s."
" You have chosen" The Sphynx
could not have looked more unmoved.
" ordered them not to admit you-you
need not come again.
If you will only hear NE"
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 woman, and in her heart
OF hearts She loved John Barton, her
handsome nephew, dearly. His mother,
her only sister, had died when he was a
little child, and his father dying soon
after, Miss Barbara had, in fashion,
ADOPTED him. She had INDUCED him
from the first day of his entrance into
her house; she had watched over him
ana made him her one object in life.
lie mad been the gleam of sunshine in
her lonely life, and to his honor be it
sald, he had never been unworthy of
the love and confidence which she gave
him. Aunt Barby' was to him the
only person in the world, and although
people marveled at the afft cton of the
brlght-taced young man for his grim old
aunt, 1t was genuine and true. He had
gone through college in thoroughly
satisfactory manner, and afterwards had
settled down into as steady and trust
worthy young business man as there
was in the city; and for three years had
behaved entirely according to his
aunts wish in every respect.
One day, however, the peace and tran.
guilty 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 at first
incredulous, but as the days went by she
was 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.
Miss Barbara was a good woman, but
she was very whimsical, 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 be,orehand was /,
very hard thing for her TO bear. She
9as not patent nor forgiying, and tn,