Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-11-19
Selected 5s}istellanp.
TESTING THE OLD MANS LOVE.

Mrs. Clark has been reading the
Beechcr-Tilton scandal until her faith
in man has dwindled down to u very
fine point; she has poor opinion Of
them.
She had noticed that her hitherto low
ing spouse had been, for the past two
weeks. low-spiritcd and hearted.
She thought, perhaps, he too, had
been led from the paths Of virtue by the
deluding voice of some bewitching siren,
and that his voice was growing cold.
But how to find out, if such was the
case; Josephus did not show any signs
of producing the statement, or confess
his guilt to a mutual friend.
Her brow corrugated and her hands
clcnched as she brooded over her imagi-
nary wrongs, aud she determined to put
the fidelity of her husband to the test.
But how to do it was the question.
"Ahl have it, said she triumphant
ly.
"I'll drown myself; that is fgura-
lively"
Clark was farmer, in good circum-
stances, and being several years young
err than his wife and good looking, it
kept her in state Of Jealousy and Mrs.
Clark proceeded to put her plan into ex-
ecution.
just behind the house was very deep
well that had been used for some time,
and it was covered over with boards to
prevent the cattle from falling into it.
She removed the covering from the
well, and placing her bonnet and shall
upon the brink, she crawled in under
large gooseberry bush to await develop
ments.
The weather was cold and she was
nearly frozen before she saw her husband
and hired man coming from the barn
where they had been at work
Clark passed the well without noticing
the clothing; but the hired man saw
them and gave a cry of horror
"Mcrcy on us, Mr.. Clark. Your
wife has thrown herself into the well !"
he shouted frantically.
Mrs. Clark expected that her husband
would tear his hair, and rush to the edge
Of the well, and after calling her all the
eDdearing names be could think of, de-
scend to its watery depths in eager
search Of her cold damp corpse.
But Clark didn't do anything of the
kind. He quietly took fresh chew Of
tobacco, and approaching the well, look
ed quietly into it.
Il guess the old girl has suicided." said
he, without any motion worth speaking
of, +" Jake. sling them back again |
wouldn't have that brindlc hcifer get in
there for fifty dollars and after dinner
we'll hoist the old woman out"
"Hadn't | better get some of the
ueighbors here first 2" asked the fright
ened man.
after dinner will do, Jake. Bust
ness before pleasure is my motto, and
I'm awful hungry"
Jake covered up the well and the man
went into the house, leaving the old lady
bowling with rage.
"Ill old girl himl I'll suicide him
Take more pains over that pesky heifer
than he does me. I'll. III"
Words failed her, they were made
quate to express her feelings.
After dinner Clark sent the hired man
after some Of the neighbors, and while
he was awaiting his return he seated
himself on a log, in plain sight Of his
loving wife, and whistled "Old Hun
dred through without missing stave.
The neigbbors arrived aud were full
of sympathy for the bereaved husband,
and Josephus bore his honors meekly.
Various plans were canvassed for
raising the body, but owing to the real
depth Of the well they could not decide
upon the right one
'I'll tell you the best way, my
friends" said Clark, pathetically. "she
is gone. and will never come baek to
this world Of woe and trouble; 50 l