Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-22
gu 0rigiual Sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
JOHNS WIFE.
BY E. VICTORIA LOMAX.
INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION.
The young people had all gathered near the
fire, and the old-fashioned drawing-room at
Montroze resounded with the sound of their
happy voices. The prospect of rainy day
in the country-that most to be dreaded of
all bores-was before them but it seemed to
have no terrors. The door opened, and Mrs.
Worthiugton, their kind hostess, entered.
"Well, girls" she said, "have you decided
on your amusement for the day?"
"Not yet, aunt" said Isabel. ave were
waiting for suggestion from you. Do let us
have something entirely original"
81 was thinking, as our party is so large,
that we might arrange some private theat-
ricals. How would you like that?"
"That would be charming!' exclaimed
several voices.
"But where are we to get the costumes,
aunt ?" asked Isabel.
eff the gentlemen of the party will assist
you, can put you in the way of obtaining a
great variety; but, boxes will have to be
moved, chests and trunks opened, and several
steep flights of steps ascended. Now, do you
think you are equal to this, gentlemen ?"
eyes, ma'am," said Tom, the scapegrace Of
the party; "your mind may be at ease on the
labor question, Mrs. Worthington, for here
are four young men who can accomplish any
amount of work, if the girls are near enough
to witness theirsuperhuman efforts"
II suppose, sir, this is a gentle inslnuatlon
that you expect the ladies to accompany you"
said Isabel; "what do you say to it, girls?
Shall we go?"
"Yesw they all said.
"But tell us first, aunt, how ia. our right
of search extends Are we to appropriate
anything and everything in the attic which
we think can be made available in the even:
ing exhibition ?"
eyes," replied Mrs. Worthington "here
are the keys you are welcome to all you can
find"
"Then, ladies and gentlemen" }" said Isabel,
with pompous air, "you may consider your
selves, from this time, as members of the Mon
troze Dramatic Association of which your
humble servant has constituted herself, unan-
imo,lsly manager. The members of the atore-
said association will now prepare to follow
their leader"
With a shout of laughter they rushed after
Isabel, who, in few moments, was standing
at the door of the attic-room, in which the
property" of the company was supposed to
be. The gentlemen were very efficient, and
soon had boxes and trunks open, ready for in
spection.
"What a love of bonnet" exclaimed
Tom, as he took out an old-fashioned scoop"
and placed it carefully on Isabeps head.
"No doubt you Aatter yourself, cousin Tom,
with the idea that you are making me ridcu-
lous. Now, sir, will you be kind enough to
put on this love of wig and let US have a
little fun at your expense?"
"Certainly. Is there anything else l can
do for your"
The burst of merriment that followed, as
the party had full view Of Tom, proved
that they appreciated his efforts The search
was perfect success. All styles of dresses
were found, and nothing was wanting in the
property" line to make the "Montroze ORA
matte Association" a star company.
"Are you sure we have everything we
need ?" asked Isabel, as they were about leav-
ing the room.
eyes" said Tom, "unless the ladies should
wish oprocure some ancient jewelry. Let US
open that box. think it has quite an i'm
portant look, as if it contained something
worth having"
eve are perfectly satisfied with what We
have" said May, speaking for the rest of the
party. eff Isabel and yourself are inclined
to Spring a mine Of jewels, you can remain
while longer; but sOe are all going down"
While May was speaking, Tom was OPEN
ing the box. 1t was very securely fastened,
and before it could be undone, all had left the
attic except Isabel and himself. As he sue
ceeded in his efforts, number of letters and
papers fell to the ground.
"It is nothing but a writing desk, after all,
cousin Tom; so we have had our trouble for
nothing"
"I don't know that! Here seems to be a
manuscript written in the most approved style.
It may be that the contents of this 'old desk,
of which you speak so contemptuously, will
vet cast into the shade forever the 'Montroze
Dramatic Association 1 shall retain it in
my possession, and when see that even the
superhuman efforts of Manager Isabel have
failed in enlivening the guests at Montroze, l
shall ask permission to read this manuscript. ="
"But what is it, cousin Tom? Is it really
story?"
"It really is, Miss Isabel and written in
the most approved style-cbapters, pages
numbered, and possessing all the requirements
necessary for frst-class sensational"
"And this you say without having read the
first word of it."
"The title is suficient-'JoHN's WIFE
What could be more telling than that2 |
venture to guess that she poisons her hus-
band, cuts the throats of her eldest and
Youngest children, and browns the intermedi-
ate one!"
"Well let US take it down with us perhaps
the girls would rather hear the manuscript
read to-day, and postpone the theatricals un.
til tomorrow"
"I certainly SHALL" said Tom.
AS soon as the party, (who had collected in
the drawing-room agaiu,) heard of the manu-
script, they all begged that it might be COM
menced then and there. The dresses and wigs