The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-04-03

Unable odor that his breath must have
exhaled, printed kiss upon his to-
bacco stained lips.
The lady "who had been married
several years" was disguised, and
after q few words concerning the
weather, took her leave.
h.rs. Washburn was a pretty, at.
fectionate, genue-hearted wife. Her
whole existence was bound up in her
husband, as well it might be; for
never was a husband more devoted
to his wife than he was. To our
mind, she was a model wife-none of
your stormy vixens, that set their
heart upon attaining point, and
will pull the house down upon your
head but they will attain it.
When tea was over, the astral
lamp transferred to the light stand,
and Mr.. Washburn had sire tched
himself in a comfortable position in
the large, easy rocking. chair, with
his legs lazily reposing in another
chair, the everlasting cigar was pro-
duced, lighted, and began to diffuse
its fragrance throughout che entire
room.
In her eye, Mr.. Washburn had on
ly one fault, and that was the viii
| famous habit of smoking, which all
her eloquence had been powerless to
| overcome. She did MT ''put her
| foot down." as her friend, Mrs. Vo-
liant had done for-poor, gentle
hearted creature-she could not
think of provoking quarrel with
him, and had about concluded to
make the best of it, and let him smoke
in peace.
But there was something so ire
sistably funny about Mrs. Volant's
plan, that she determined to try it,
and accordingly, on the afternoon OF
the next day she sent the servant
girl to the apothecary's shop for a
bunch of "Bagdad cigars" Dis
posing a few of them In the work
basket, ready for the momentous &C.
| easion, her mind pictured the scene
that would ensue when she should
light one of them. 1t was so funny
that she laughed out loud at the idea.
Would he not be surprised to see
her, who had leased him SO much,
smoking herself2 Would MT his
| eyes stick out when ne should see
her putting cigar at her sewing, as
he did when he read the evening pa
per.
She was so we'll pleased with the
plan that she could have put it in .eX-
ecution, even if it had only been for
the sport it promised, independently
of the good result which might arise
from it. Would MT he be mortified,
| and would MT she win the day, and
glory over his defeat? Would MT
he be glad to promise her that he
would MT smoke another cigar as
long as be lived? She was SO de-
lighted that she could hardly con-
tain herself
Mr.. Washburn came home to tea,
and, as usual, when he entered the
house he gave her kiss and ten
der greeting. They were seated at
the tea.table. Mrs. Washburn was
so full of mirth that she came near
scalding herself with the hot tea
when she poured it out. Her merry
mischievous laugh rang merrily in
her husbands ears, who, poor fel.
low, could have no idea of the ter
rible ordeal through which he was
| to pass.
Mrs. Washburn could hardly con.
troll her inclination to burst into a
laugh at the mere tn ought of what
she was about to do. Seating her
self at the side of the ia BILE opposite
her husband, she took from the work
basket, with an air grave ard SOL
emn as a judge, one of the "Bag-
dads" Placing the filthy roll be-
tween her ruby lips, she glanced at
her husband.
"Now, Mr.. Smoker" thought she,
it would have spoiled the joke to
have said tive will see whether
you will abandon that filthy habit"
Mr.. Washburn happened to glance
at her; but, contrary to her expec-
tations, he manifested no surprise,
and went on reading the HERALD.
$50, so, Mr.. Smoker" thought she
again, "you think | am joking, do
you? i will soon convince you;"
and the lady took paper and APP.
piled light to the cigar.
p,+ Ms Wax b,,,, ,,o&Io
inexperienced in the manner of
lighting a cigar, and was unable to
make it GO. She lit another taper,
and pulled away with all her might;
but the Bagdad was as resolute as
the great caliph himself. She per-
severed till her extraordinary exer-
tons again attracted the attention of
Mr.. Washburn.
"You are lighting the wrong end,
nay DEAR" said he, with the utmost
nonchalance.
allow provoking he Isl" thought
Mrs. Washburn "why don't he re-
moustrate ?"
"You should bite off the twisted
end, and then put it in your mouth, !"
continued the husband, turning to
the paper again.
Aided by these directions, the ia.
dy took another cigar, which she
succeeded in lighting. the FIRST
taste of the tobacco smoke was hor-
rlble, but she had determined to be
a martyr for her husbands sake, and,
taking her sewing, she continued to
pull away as she piled her needle
till certain nausea compelled her
to abandon the experiment for that
time. Casting the Bagdad into the
CRATE. she began to wish she had
not listened to Mrs. Volant.
"What is the matter, my dear :?
Wasn't it a good cigar? Try mine ;
they are Monte Christos of the first
quality" and the imperturbable Mr..
Washburn offered her the choice
from his case.
"No, thank you, my dear will
not smoke any more tonight"
''But what's the matter, Mary?
You are as pale as sheet!'
81 feel little faint; I shall be
better in a moment" and Mrs.
Washburn was obliged to leave the
room.
Poor woman She was sick for the
evening. But the next day Mrs.
VOlant. who had called to learn the