Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-07-07
Stltttt0 Storp.
JOHN STEPHENS PERIcAROluM.


low. the very picture OF MISERY. The
family physician, who was called on IN
Iaverago TO the Stephens mansion three
hundrcd and sixty times year, drew a
chair close to the couch. and waited quiet
ly for his patient to open her book oI
complaints.
Last nigh. you see, Doctor, had an
III tuIn, and he wanted to como fox YOU
but when got 50 he dared to leave me,
he concluded then we'd better let you
Sleep
"Much obliged 10 him, lid thc Doctor
-Sncastic emphasis on the pcEsoual pro
noun. Last nigh, WAS the first undis
turbed nights rest have enjoyed Ior a
week"
Mrs. Stephens continued;
This spell is the same as I had the
last lime YOU were sent for, Doctor"
~ slight nervous attack" broke in the
physician, nothing more"
well, it don't make any difference
what You call it, il was mighty hard to
bear; bu, let m9 tell you what my has.
band saiI first. Doctor, before we 90 into
symptoms. When he was going down TO
breakfast. he says 10 mo. Kate, what
shall l -end You up?'
''Sys I, don't want any ding in the
world bul good slrons cup of tea. Tell
Bridget 10 sanl it ap in tho Ii,tio Tea pot.
SAW, Doctor, lha, lac didn't move after |
said this, 50 turned and lolhcd up al
him. and saca q picture OF rae AMI dis
gust never saw in M lite. Finally,
/ says he. Tea. tea, ioA! is nothing bat
Ten from mognio, uu night, kuc.' says
he, 'Jog are the colo, oi Cniulmau
now. Why don, y,r orI'r good piece
ol heci>,cts. and Slice oy brown bread,
ami cup of chorn'Nei ihlt woalI tc a
sensible breakfast"
but. John sail |. 'yol forge, TINT
Am >itS and have uo appetite was all
ready 90 cry, bu. WAS determined that
ha ,ipu'll't have the satisfaction OF see
mg Jh. tears tall.
'Ftrso'.' says he; toigc;' wish TO
Heaven could forget! Is nothing but
srunt aud groan from oac years end to
The other have lost AL pllicnco with
you, says he. when wo lived in a part
of house. and you did your own house.
work, you were as we'll and happy rs
anybody. AMI no man ever had a pleas
1atcr little honc Than John Stephens;
bat whr. have now to lovc, or to come
back lo?' aud this. Doctor, is wha, he
ended up with
Kate says he, 'you arc no;hing more
nor less thal drunkiii. and in the sight
of God more culpablo Than most OF the
men who stagser through the streets
because The mljpcity OF those poor devils
have some sort OF IN excuse for their
conduct, and YOU haven't the slightest.
Y0J have luxurious home, husband
doing his level best to make you happy
every thing under the light of the sun 10
please YOU, and yet you will persist in
swi,.ing tea Yes. Doctor, swilling was
the word he used-bool hoo hoo, On
dear me! 10 think l should ever have
lived to have heard such dreadful hn-
guage out Of ms husbands mouth; aud
then he sIys-'and N king me rs miscra.
bic wretch as walks The earth
Pretty plain talk,' interrupted the
Doctor, with 4 shtug OF his broad
shoulders.
"Oh. yes" sobbcl The victim, land SO
awlulIy coarse and unkind. Ii had
had a spell, aud died there before his very
face, don't believe he would have cared
4 snap OF his finger. tell you, Doctor
Ellis, there is such 4 thing is a mans
getting hardened"
"Eyidcnuy." replied the physician,
with laconism absolutely painful.
''Blt my husband has nothing in the
world 10 trouble him but just my poor
health; aud | am su,e can't help that.
This remark was more in answer to her
compAniou's tone and manner, than the
word that hal accidentally escaped his
lips. lnd this the Doctor tcit.
Anybody wouId think by the way he
goes ou," continued the iralc woman,
"that enjoyed myself with spasms, and
cramps anI lainling fits. Anybody woIid
think it WAS pleasure TO me to feel,
every time see funeral procession, rs
if the hearse was going to stop ut on:
door next. Oh, yes. such life is very
enjoyable, very, indeed"
Doctor Ellis took no notice ol these
last words; the mans eyes grew lumin-
Gus and his whole face declared that he
considered himself master OF the situl
lien; and if Mrs. Stephens had not been
50 entirely taken up with her o%n ail
ments, mental and physical. that honest
countenance would have betrayed him.
you say" he began, settling himself
in the large easy chair, aud assuming
strictly professional air. THAT your hus
band has nothing to trouble him but your
health; bul how DO you know that. Mrs.
Stephcns?"
GLOW? Why how do l know any
thing? By the evidences of my senses
Dont know that John Stephens has a
splendid business that looks after itself, a
magnificent. income. and money enough |
TO live on The bare interest, as well rs Il
family need to live if he never entered