Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-06-28

were down WIN measlcs; summons
from aunt Hannah to bid her last lin
gering farewell--lingering is the proper
word as have been through the cere-
mony seven times, and an invitation
from cousin Susan to run over and turn
her black silk. Beside that had my
own sorrow. NV Tabby had been OBJ
liviated for two days. The evening be-
fore she disappeared she had refused the
fifth sancer of milk for her supper, and
appeared pensive. feared she had com
mitted suicide or wandered out into this
unfeeling world, because neighbor
Browns Tom had Tilted her for Mrs.
Rey's green-eyed, black, ugly feline she
had the audacity to call ."Beauty."
Just as was bitterly regretting that
had not taught Tabby from my own ex-
perience, something of the fickleness of
the world in general and mankind in
particular, who should come laundering
in but John. Of course he upset chair,
overturned my work-basket, knocked a
book off the table, stepped on my wealth
er-oracle toe and tumbled into my best
chair with crash. Then he reached
over to the stand beside me, and taking
pin he began to draw figures upon my
rosewood writing-desk.
"Good morning, john" remarked.
"Say, Sabrina," he replied, jabbing at
his forehead with pin, 81 am to be mar
ried next week"
"You surprise me, John"
"Doubtless, but it's settled fact. /
have purchased that little cottage on
the hill yonder; it is prepared for the
bride. Now l want you to go over and
make the place home-like. Have jolly
supper ready next Thursday night when
we come. You can, Sabrina, you have
no husband"
"John!" l cried, 'it isn't for me to
say, l might have had dozen hus-
bands" with touch of pride.
"And all died of broken heart!" he
laughed. "But will you go?''
Having survived in the companionship
of my own cognomen until | had arrived
at a respectable age, l was accustomed
to being convenience. | think oul
family had habit of considering it g
charity to make me useful. Therefore
did not say nay to John.
In due time l went over to the cot
tage. 1t was cosy and pleasant, save
the varnishy odor which always clingi
to new furniture. How the relatives die
run over that place! What comments
they made. They ended the seige a
last by declaring now that John was tC
; be married, he would be entirely los
unless his wife had sufficient decision t
insist upon the turning of new leaf il
his conduct. And as he had been 81
neglectful as to consult none of them
probably she was an unsuitable person
They came. John introduced me t,
"My wife, Matte" with great flourish
: NY heart misgave me. "My wife
Mattie," was a tiny, pink and white dol
. topped with profusion of light curl
and frzzles When l looked into he
:, large, laughing blue eyes l almost erie
as thought how sad they would groN
n under Johns treatment. promised t
!, remain with them until Matte shoul
become acquainted with the place. Sh
had left an immense number of sister
and brothers, ohm was sure to MARI
into large family-and would be lionel!
For whole fortnight everything wa
lovely; John was devoted, punctual an
altogether model husband; Matte wa
a perfect pattern of housewife, lovin
and happy. 1t was "John, dear" an
"Mattie, darling,"- until l was fairl
wild for good, healthy snarl from m
Tabby, who had returned to her hom
But when John was a month marie
he was more lawless than ever. He TO
got to order the repast for dinner unit
he came-but four days out of five |
forgot to come to dinner. He threw O
all household care. He was even grow
ing careless in his dress, and threw e
erything into confusion whenever he el
tered the cottage. The pink in Matte
check began to change to white, and tt
Sc laugh in her eye to sob. Evident
she had been a favorite at home, al
was sorely grieved. | longed to cor
fort her, but did not know what to sa
She was sitting before he CRATE o.
evening, waiting tea as usual. 81 pr
, sumo he will not come" she said with
sigh; 81 do wish John wouldn't do so
!"But he WILL" l replied, SITS
way"
ry at is?" with little start.
eyes, indeed. He was very foolish
ur marry, considering his negligence. 4
- the relations pity you," ! went on, in.
~ effort to condole with her, sand if
grows unbearable, as they predict it wi
some of them will blame YOU"
-, Perhaps the fire in the CRATE fam
~ UP her cheeks. AT all events, they We
= crimson. She thrust both hands in
: my curls and then said sweetly: "V
NAV as well have tea, cousin Sabrina