Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-21

Harry was merely sort of compromise
with her conscience, for never should il
be said of that young matron that she had
broken the VOW made to Glove. honor and
obey" The only thing now to be decided
on was the day and name. Tuesday
would suit everybody nicely. What did
Matilda's husband say to Harry tout OF
compliment to HIMSELF Aristides lin
honor of the Borough tradesman) HOratio
(as a sort of sop in the pan of old Foozle,
VINO bore that name6 Ajax classical and
djstingue, my dear, and BrownjOhn unjust
have family name)? What could be
more mellifiuous than Harry Aristides
Horatio Ajax Brownjohn Highly %
Nothing; at least so Matilda said. Hav-
ing yielded so much it was not worth
while making further resistance; so Harry
allowed that Philistine of wife to shear
his locks and bind him with cords until
he was positively helpless.
{" Now everything is settled" said the
jubilant Mrs. Highly, suppose we write
to Uncle Aristides and acquaint him with
the result?"
"Out of courtesy, we ought also to
write to Uncle Job"
''Oh, certainly, my DEAR" responded
Mrs. Highly. Will you write both let
ters?"
"Well, Matilda Jane, think you might
drop line to Uncle Job; it would come
from you with a rather better grace than
from me; that is to say, dear, letter from
you would be species of salve for his
disappointment" The truth was, Harry,
after half inviting his relative to stand
godfather, when he met him few days
before at luncheon bar in the city, was
ashamed to back out of the matter; but he
knew if Job Smith got note from Ma
tilda Jane he would pretty accurately
guess the reason why his aid at the chris
tening was dispensed with.
Mrs. Highly Immediately brought forth
her writing materials, and the reconciled
couple proceeded with their eplstles. This
is what Matilda Jane wrote to Uncle Job :
DEAR UNCLE-You know well how pleased we
should have been for you TO be one OF the god
fathers to darling treasure, but, unfortunately,
Harry has friend whom it would be very impolitic
to offend, and, under these circumstances, L am
sure you will excuse our not asking you next
Tuesday. Best love, etc. Yours very affection
ately, NJ. j. HIGHLY.
This is how Harry addressed his pros
porous relative in the Borough:
DEAR OLD UNCLE-Excuse this familiarity, but
we want you to act in an official capacity at the
christening on TUESDAY next. DOnL trouble
answer this, because we are determined TO enlist
your sympathies behalf of our boy in practical
manner. lilly joins in love, and am yours ever,
HARRY HIGHLY.
Scarcely had these important communi-
cations been penned than a loud knock
was heard at the front door; hastily gath
ering up the letters into couple of
envelopes Mr.. Highly placed them in
his pocket, ready to post the next morn
I'M 20 hic nj 70 a1 +o tho ctoi
head to ascertain who were their visitors
It proved to be only Mr.. and Mrs. Foozle,
who had called to have quiet chat; and
in their pleasant company we, for that
evening, drop the curtain upon Harry and
his wife.
At last came the eventful day Won
drOus preparations for the great occasion
had been made by Mrs. Highly (who was
really an excellent housewife, and the
result was that Mr.. and Mrs. Foozle saw
awaiting them, when the ceremony should
be over, repast in every way enticing.
Harry was indeed proud Of the manage
rial capabilities of his wife, as he gazed
from end to end of the well-filled table,
and could not refrain from charging
upon her merits to Foozle as they stood
together before the mantel-piece waiting
the arrival of the other sponsor.
Mrs. Highly was too nervous yet to
make her appearance; she was very busy
upstairs preparing baby for church; that
young imp, with his face as red as a
fresh boiled lobster, exhibiting the great
est Discrimination to be dressed in a be-
coming manner, and loudly proclaiming
the fact by continued series of the most
discordant yells. The anxious mamma
and nurse shut the door, bnt still the
voice of Harry's offspring predominated
over everything else, and caused the two
gentlemen below to cease their debate
upon the probabilities of rise or fall in
the bank rate of discount, and the pros
poets Of the new Pawangalo loan, until a
more fitting opportunity.
"Ah, SIR" remarked FO6Zle, helping
himself to third glass of port, q it's a
grand thing to be father; magnificent
feeling, sir; gives man such sense of
responsibility! Throughout an expert
ence of many years never knew a good
father who was not good man." Harry,
glancing at his watch, looked from the
window, but failed to see Aristides Brown
john approaching, and was, with in
creased mental perturbation, preparing
himself for a renewal of his neighbours
prosy argument when Matilda Jane,
blushing with maternal pride, and &C
companied by her mamma and baby,
entered the apartment.
"Whatm exclaimed Mrs Highly, "has
Uncle Aristides not arrived? | do hope
nothing has happened to the dear soul. If
he don't come in few minutes, you shall
walk up to the station, Harry and ask if
any accident has occurred on the line"
Her husband not seeming quite to enter
into her views-the nearest railway sta
ticn being quite mile from their abode
Mrs. Highly impatiently turned toward
her visitors, and proceeded to eXtol the
virtues of the missing one. Suffering
from his spouse's loquacity, and the anx-
iety he experienced lest old Foozle, by
reason of his fondness for port, should
have to remain at home and be put to
bed, it was with no small degree of salts
faction that Harry heard the sound of rat
tat
The assembled company are eagerly
listening for the approach of footsteps
and when the door opens expect to see
the majestic form of the great Aristides
There enters instead the maid-servant; she
whispers to Harry, who, in turn, murmurs
to his agitated wife: "I'm afraid, dear
there is some mistake :" and both leave the
room.
In as brief space as it takes to read
this line they were in the passage. Be
fore them, attired in a suit of seedy but
well brushed black, and with his hand
gently smoothing suspiciously shiny
hat, stood the discarded Job Smith
"Well, Harry" said the newcomer, per,
ceiving their confusion, what's the mean.
ing of all this? Is the christening over ~
UD;d d;5,,+ ~ ooo;ro No4ilda,o