Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-07-03
TOM FOSTERS WIFE.

AN@@ . ~ Asb - w - 49,
I had Just returned from 4 two
years stay in Europe, and was saun'
tering down fremont street, in the
golden SeptewDe morning, when
saw my old friend, Tom Foster, gel
out Of horse-cars few steps in ad'
vance of me. knew him in a mo
ment, though we had hardly met
sine we we're at Exeter Academy
together, ten years before-room-
mates and blithe companions until
we parted to 90 to Harvard and
he to enter his fathers store, the
we'll known house Of Foster & Co.,
Pearl street. He was a merry,
hearty, practical fellow, clear-skinncd
aud robust as an EngliShman, selt-re-
liaut and onterprisiug as New Hamp-
shire birth and Boston training could
make him. | always liked him.
but he plunged into business and |
into study, and so, without meaning
it. We had almost lost sight Of each
other. He was su only child, and
his parents spent their summers at
their hcme in Greenland and their
winters in Boston, Mass.
As | said, knew him in a mo-
meut. He had grown tall and stout
but the boy was still in his face, and
with a fash Of early feeling | sprang
forward and caught him ~ the arm.
Tom. How are your
lie looked puzzled for a moment,
and then, bursting into laugh, he
seized my hand iu his strong grasp,
and exclaiuing:
why, Johu RalstOp! Is this
you? Whore did you come from?
I'm glad to see you, my boy. Why,
[ haven't set ny eyes on you since
We made that trip to Nahaut, in your
Freshman year. The truth is father
was 80 poorly for long time then
that had everything 20 see to, and
fel; as if the world WAS on my shoui-
dsrs. did hear, though, about your
college hOnors aud your going to
Germany, and I've often thought Ct
YOU lately aud wished TO see you.
Why Jack, in spite of my weight and d
your beard and broad shoulders, /
can I realize that ten years have gone
since We were at Exeter together
We must talk over old times aud new.
When did you get back and what
are your plans?'
Il came yesterday, and shall stay
IN the city on account Of business
matter, until next Tuesday Then |
am going home"
"Well, now this is Saturday, aud
YOU can do nothing after three
o'clock. Come aud spead Sunday
with me in the country. | want to
show you my wife
Your wife! Are you married,
Tom?7
Married nearly year. he an.
swrred with a smile.
You don't look very solemn over
it,"
Solemn? It's the jolliest thing |
evef did 10 my life. Meet ne at the
/ Eastern depot at four o'clock, and
| I'll tell you all about it On the way
4 down"
/ We parted at the Winter street
corner, he TO 20 to his store, and
+ TO 90 80 the Parker house.
/ How handsome Boston ha:
grown, said I, glaucing at the fine
building and common, beautiful it
the September sun.
( I'VE think it a nice town. he re
Piled speaking with the moderate
words and the perfect assurance o.
the Bostouian, to whom the city Ii
the sum Of all excellence aud delight
Remember, four O'Clock" And h'
disappeared in the crowd.
tom married. | said TO myself
as | walked along. 81 dare say it il
to his fathers pretty ward, Clari
Maitland. whom saw when spen
the day there, eleven years ago.
remember what long curls she had
and how fond she seemed of bin
\ es. | dare say it's to Clara, | hope
though, she hasn't grown up int
one of those delicate young ladies
good for nothing bat to display tn
LATEST fashions. and waltz little, an'
torture the piano. Better scme rosy
sturdy, German Gretchen than
poor doll like them. 1t wOnld be
shame for TOm, with his splendi'
physique aud vigorous brsin, to b
tied for life to such woman AM
then, turning down School street. N
thought wandered Of to blue eye
girl | had lcved for many year
/ girl who was not satisfied with to
email triumps Of the croquet ground
but who could send an arrow strslgh
home to the mark;-snd climb tn
hills with me. her step light aud fre
as the deer's in the glade below; an
hold a steady oar to our boat on tn
river; and then, when walk or ro'
was over, who could sit down to
lunch of cold meat and bread an
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