Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-08-06
TWO WIFE-KILLERS.
BY H. V. OSBORNE.

TOwNsLEY, the richest farmer in Tucka
hoe County, had just growled down his
breakfast The meal had been served ten
minutes late, and Townsley never failed
to growl when such was the case. He
arose from the table and scowled at the little
woman who sat, trembling and weak, be-
hind the big coffee-pot. That little, faded
piece of humanity was Townsley's wife,
and trembling was good enough for her,
and if her white face had been flushed
with shame it would have been far more
becoming.
"A woman said Townsley, glancing at
his wife, twill toss out of the window
with teaspoon faster than a man can
throw in at the door with a shovel. Time
on wasting It in this way we shall all be in
the poor house before winter
"'Wood green and wouldn't kinder
Well, you should have found some that
would Weren't you up two hours before
l was? What on earth women folks do
with all their time is more'n / know. But
don't sit there making excuses. There's
been enough time lost already, | should
think. 1t is now half.past six. Bring me
my thick boots. You can get me
clean collar, too, while you're
about ii, I'm going to town. By the
way" said TOwnsley, as the little fingers
of his wife fastened the fresh collar
around his throat, run TO the barn and
bring Judy's horse blanket around to the
front door. If I'm not there roll it up
and throw it in the buggy. Wait a min
ute, ;" detaining her. "You were speak
ing, Mrs. Townsley, abouta clOthes-wring
er. l haven't any money to throw away
on gimcracks My mother never had a
wrin ging-machine and never asked for
one. Takes all can rake and scrape to
keep the farm supplied with moving ma
chimes and corn-planters. Pretty soon
you will be teasing again for piano, and
| then like enough for sewing-machine OF
some other invention to encourage idleness
Hands were given us to use, Mrs. Towns
ley, not to dilly-dally here and there, keep
ing meals waiting"
! Delivered of his speech and ready toI
town-gOing, Townsley allowed his wife to
depart in search of the horse blanket,
while he strobe to the frontdoor, dispatched
Bob to open the gate, and jumped into his
buggy.
Jane" said Townsley, unbending &
little, as the small frail figure drew close
and lifted in the heavy blanket, if the
butcher stops to-day you won't need to gel
any meat for the house. | shan't be homo
to dinner and the men folks will be overtC
! Dawson's. Well,n running mp a thin
cheap smile to his face to signal goOd-by
I'm off at last. Whoa, Judy, Jane
there's those potatoes in the bin; they're
sprouting. Better see 10 them to-day. Coco
morning."
Good morning it was-fair, fresh anC
| beautiful. The blue overhead was new
and bright and the earth was clean-faceC
and rain-washed For mile or TIVE
! Townships route lay through woods whert
blossoming flowers filled the air witt
| fragrance He cut the flowers with hi
| whip and left them bruised and mangleC
| by the wayside. The birds in the tree
tossed him greeting as he passed; but al
the notice that he took was to turn song
to screams by striking at the branche
where they swung, Not that Townsle.
was any Longer ill-natlred or that he hat
been ili-natured any of the time. Had yol
charged him with such feelings he wouli
have denied their existence. But he like
to feel his power, and this slashing a
everything was habit he had, resultin
therefrOm.
Judy was Townships best horse. Whe
they got through the piece of woods an
Townsley had nothing else 70 crack hi
whip at, he tried his snapper on her AN
made her dance. Judy was in fine spirit
this morning She needed no urging
Townsley continued TO fret her with hi
whip. But when he touched her with tn
tassel- end il was more than the spirite
animal would brook She reared an
paved the air, then plunged forward as if I
free herself and finally dashed down tll
road at break-neck speed. For mil
she flew like thewind but TOwnsley's fri
hand drew her in at last and, for the tim
being, the horse recognized her maste
But Judy's eye glittered; she locke
wicked TOwnsley's eye glistened; b
felt proud. AT ease with all mankind, b
willingly drew lines TO chat with Ricl
etts, who was riding from town on hors'
back.
"Well, what's the newsW inquire
Townsley, with patronizing nod, in e
change for Ricketts, neighbOrly greeting
Wal, ther haint much news, M
TOwnsleyn said Ricketts,, shifting 10 a
easier position in his saddle and leanin
down comfortably on the pommeL M
much news of any kind eyerybody's ]
tarnal full OF the hangin',n
"KrieH ehl The fellow that murdere
his wifer So he's had to swing for II, h'
hsy Hangipg's too good for such su