The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-10-08
JOHNS WIFE.

cousin John. / will proceed to say l
have cousin John. I wish I might add
that he has always been an ornament to
society, an honor to himself, and the
ssfower of the family" A strict regard for
veracity-it answers my purpose on the
occasion fOrbids any such observation
on my part. I am obliged to say this
masculine specimen of our ancient race
was absolutely the tag end OF our char
acters Seemingly, he was the recipient
of what was left after furnishing the heads
and hearts of all the others. When the
grand-dames, aunts and uncles desired to
illustrate any particular vice, John was
held up as the frightful example. Not
that he was an assassin, highwayman,
or politician. He was simply mael-
strom of carelesness and generosity. Ii
it had not been for the good luck which
ALWAYS followed him, he would have
made frst-class vagabond. As 1t was,
he made out to be well dressed, hand
some, good fellow. Beyond that he
could not be trusted, and then only when
ones eyes were on him.
[ was sitting in my solitary parlor one
morning, N the momentary expectation
of receiving an appeal from sister Jane
to hurry to the Naples, as the twins
were down with the measles F; a summons
from aunt Hannah to bid her lingering
ewell-lingering is the proper word,
as | had been through the cer1nony sew
en- times-and an invitation from cousin
Susan to run over and turn her black
silk. Beside that, I have my own sorrow.
Ny Tabby had been invisible for two
days. The evening before she disap
pered she had refused the fifth saucer
of milk for her supper and appeared
pensive. I feared she had committed
suicide or wandered out in this unfeel-
ing world, because neighbor Browns
Tab had Tilted her for Mrs. Rays green
eyed, black, ugly feline; she had the
audacity to call her beauty
Just then, as I was bitterly regretting
that [ had not taught Tabby, from my
own experience, something of the fckel-
ness of the world, and mankind in par
ticular, who should come laundering In
but John Of course he upset chair,
overturned my work basket, knocked
book off the table, stepped on my wealth
er oracle toe and tumbled into my best
chair with crash. Then he reached
over the stand beside me. and, with pin
began drawing figures upon my rosewood
writing desk.
ssGood morning, john" remarked.
ssSay, Sabr ina" he replied, 81 am to
be married next week.
''You surprise me, John.
Doubtless, but it's settled fact. /
have purchased that little house on the
hill yonder; it's prepared for bride.
Now you want to go over and make the
place homelike Have jolly supper
ready next Thursday night when we
come. You can, Sabrina, you have no
husband"
"John," cried sit isn't for me to say
I might have dozen husbands" with
touch of pride.
'sAnd ali died of broken heart" he
laughed ''But will you go?''
Having survived to the championship
of my own cognOmen until had arrive d
at a respectable age, L was accustom ed
to being a convenience. L think our
family had q habit of considering it a
charity to make me useful. Therefore [
didn't say nay to John.
In due time went over to the cottage
1t was coy and pleasant, save that var
nishy oder which ALWAYS clings to new
furniture How the relatives did run
over that place! What comments were
made They ended the seige at last by
declaring, now that John was to be mar
ried, he would be entirely lost unless his
wife had sufficient decision to insist upon
the turning of new leaf in his Conduct.
And as he had been so neglectful as to
consult none of them, she was, undoubt-
tedly, an unsuitable person.
They came. John introduced me to
''my wife Matte, with a great flourish.
My heart misgave me. StMy wife Mat
wi o,,I IDo1 Il
sweet fascinating look. When I looked
into her large, laughing blue eyes, I al
most cried as / thought how sad they
would grow under Johns treatment [
promised to remain with them until Mat
tie should become acquainted with the
place. She had left an immense number
of sisters and brothers and would be
lonely.
For a whole fortnight everything was
lovely; John was devoted, :punetual,
and altogether model husband; Mat
tie was a perfect pattern of a housewife,
loving and happy. It was ''John dear"
and well Matte, darling" until [ was
fairly aching for good healthful snarl
from my Tabby who had returned to
her home.
But when John was a month married
he was more lawless than ever. He forgot
to order The repast for dinner until he
came-but four days out of five he for
got to come to dinner. He threw off all
household cares. He was even growing
careless In his dress and threw every
thing into confusion whenever he enter
ed the cottage. The pink in Matties
face began to change to white, and the
laugh in her eye to a sob. Evidently
she had been favorite at home, and
was sorely grieved. I longed to comfort
her, but did not know what to say.
She was sitting before the gate one
evening, waiting tea, as usual. 81 pre-
sumo he will not come. j" she said with
sigh 81 SO wish John wouldn't do so !"
But hewill, y Ireplied, sits his way"
us it?'' with a little start.
Eyes indeed; he was very foolish to
marry, considering his negligence. All
the relatives pity you" 1 went ON in an
effort to console her, ''and if it grows I'M
bearble, as they predict it viii, some of