Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-09-25
The Sturw TeMfr.
NOBODY BUT JOHN.

of the shutting gate tell on my ears, ana !
looked at Maggy's soiled, untidy dress and
tumbled hair.
Maggy started and glanced hastily from,
the window; then sat down again in care
less way, remarking as she did so:
"It's nobody but john"
Nobody but John And who do you
think that John was? Only her husband.
Nobody but John.
A few moments afterwards, John Fairburn
came into the room where we were sitting
and gave me one of his frank, cordial greet
ings. had known him for many years, long
before his marriage. I noticed that he gave
an annoyed glance at his wife, but did not
speak to her. The meaning Of this annoyance
and indifference was plain to me; tor John
had come from neat, tidy family. His
mothers housekeeping had always been nota-
BILE. She was poor, but as "time and water
are to be had for nothing'-this was one OF
her sayings-she always managed to have
things about her clean and orderly.
Maggy Lee had pretty face, bright eyes,
and charming little ways that are taking with
the young men, and she was quite belle be-
fore she got out of her teens. She had a
knack of fixing her ribbons or tying her
scarf or arranging her hair, shawl and dress
in a way to give grace and charm to her per-
son. None but her most intimate friends
knew of the untidiness that pervaded her
room and person when at home and away
from common observation.
Poor John Fairburn was taken in when he
married Maggy Lee. He thought he was
getting the tidiest, neatest, sweetest and most
orderly girl in town, but discovered too soon
that he was united to careless slattern. She
would dress for other peoples eyes, because
she had natural love for admiration; but at
home and for husband she put on any old
dud, and went looking often "like the old
scratch" as the saying is.
On the particular occasion of which am
speaking-it was after she and John had been
married over year-her appearance was al
most disgusting She did not have on even a
morning dress; only faded and tumbled
chintz sacque above soiled skirt, no collar,
slippers down at the heels, and dirty stockings.
Her hair looked like hurra's nest-if any
one knows what that isl don't; but | sup
pose it is the perfection Of disorder. No one
could love such looking creature. That was
simply impossible.
Nobody but John" Hooked at the bright
handsome young man and wondered. lie ate
his dinner in silence, and then went to work.
I had never seen him so moody.
"What's come over John ?" l asked, as he
went out.
"Oh l don't know" his wife answered.
"Something wrong at the shop, l suppose
He's foreman, you know
care you sure it's only that ?" l asked,
looking serious.
"That or something about his work. There
is nothing else to worry him."
was silent for while, debating with my
self whether good or harm would come of a
little plain talk with Johns wife. She was
rather quick-tempered, knew, and easy to
take offense. At last ventured the remark
"Maybe things are not to his taste at
home"
"At homew Maggy turned on me with a
flash of surprise in her face. "What do you
meanY'
"Men like beauty and neatness in their
wives as we'll as in their sweethearts," | said
The crimson mounted to her hair. At the
same moment 1 saw her glance at a looking
glass that hung opposite her on the wall.
She sat very still, yet with a startled look in
her eyes, until the flush faded and her face
became almost pale.
"Maggy," said l, rising and drawing my
arm around her, "come up stairs. l have
something very serious to say to you."
We walked from the little dining-room ur
to her chamber in silence. I then said:
"NIaggy, want to tell you about {. deal
friend Of mine who made shipwreck of happi
ness and life. 1t is sad story but am
sure it will interest you deeply. She was my
cousin and her name was -"
Maggy bent forward listening attentively
"What ?" she asked, as I hesitated on the
name.
"Helen."
"Not Helen White, who married John
Harding, and was afterwards deserted by hel
husband ?"
"Yes my poor dear cousin Helen. 1t is o.
her am going to tell you"
81 never knew why her husband went of
as he did," said Maggy. "Some say he was
to blame, and some put all the fault on her
How was it ?"
both were to blame, but she the most. ,
l replied. "John Harding was, like your hus
band, one of the neatest and most orderly o
men. Anything untidy in his home, or ii
the person of his wife, annoyed and often pu
him out of humor; but he did not, as h'
should have done, speak plainly to his wife
and let her see exactly how he felt, and II
what he would like change. lfhe had done
so, Helen would have tried-as every goot