Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-06-23
TESTING THE OLD HAMS LOVE.

TESTING THE OLD HANS LOVE.
Mrs. Clark had been reading the Beecher
Tilton scandal until her faith in man had
dwindled down to a very hne point; she
had a poor opinion of them.
She had noticed that her hitherto loving
spouse had, for the past two weeks, been
low spirited and down-hearted.
She thought perhaps, he, too. had been
led from the paths of virtue by the delud-
ing voice Of some bewitchipg siren. and
But how to find out if such was the case.
Josephus did not show any signs of pre-
ducing statement, or Of confessing his
guilt to mutual friend.
Her brow corrugated, and her hands
cleuched as she brooded over her imagi-
nary wrongs, and she determined to put
the fidelity Of her husband to the test.
But how to do it, that was the question.
"Ah! l have it," said she triumphantly
"I'll drown myself that is, fguratively."
Clark was farmer in good circunstan-
ces, and being several years younger than
his wife. land good looking, it kept her in
state of perpetual worriment and jealously.
Mrs. Clark proceeded to put her plan
into execution.
Just behind the house was very deep
and it was covered over with boards to
keep the cattle from falling into it.
She removed the covering from the well
and placing her bonnet aud shawl upon
its brink, she crawled under a large
| gooseberry bush to await developments.
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 to work.
Clark passed by the well without motto.
ing the clothing ; but the hired man saw
them and gave cry Of horror.
"Mercy on on lis, MIR. Clark. Your
wife has thrown herself in the welI!' 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
endearing names he could think of, des-
cend into its watery depth, in eager search
for her cold, damp corpse.
But Clark did not do anything of the
kind. He calmly took fresh chew OF to-
bacco, and then approaching the we'll,
looked quietly into it.
81 guess the old girl has suicided,' said
he. without any emotion worth speaking
of. "Jakc, you sling them boards back
again i wouldn't have that brindle COW get
in there for fifty dollars and after dinner
We'll hoist the old woman out"
"Hadn't we better get some of the neigh.
bors here first ?" asked the frightened man
"After dinner will do, Jake. Business
before pleasure is my motto, and I'm
awful hungry
Jake covered up the well, and the men
went into the house, leaving the old lady
bowling with rage.
.Ill old gal him! III suicide him
Takes more pains over that pesky heiffel
than he does Of me. Tll-l'il--
Words failed her they were inadequate
to express her feelings.
After dinner Clark sent the hired mar
after some Of the neighbors, and while III
was awaiting his return he seated himsel
on log, in plain sight of his loving wife
and whistled Old Hundred clear through
without missing stave.
| The neighbors arrived and were full o
sympathy for the bereaved husband; ant
Joscphus bore his honors meekly.
Various plans were canvassed for raising
the body, but, owing to the great depth o
the well, they could not decide upon th,
rightone.
"l'll tell you the best way, my dea
friends" said Clark, pathetically.-"Sbe il
gone, and will never come back to THU
world Of trouble and woe; so think W,
h I'd better let the body remainas it is, and FL
up the well. 1t will save power OF trouble
and bother"
This proposition was agreed to ty tn,
neighbors as being feasible, and the work o.
filling it up commenced, Josephus throwing
in all the huge stone, and blocks Of woe(
he could lay his hands on.
"There,' said he, ~ guess that will do,
after they had thrown q couple Of cart.load
OF miscellaneous rubbish into the well
"Jake can fill up the rest at odd spell
rainy days. Well have the funeral sermon
preached as soon as get through haulin.
wood"
Near by the side of Josephus stood !.
woman Of about thirty summers, and sh,
had been regarding the solemn scene with :
mixture Of pleasure and sorrow, s:iptermin
L
took their departure, she remained benin,
to evurfurt the aching heart of the bereave.
widower.
"It's a great pity to be cut down SO sud.
denly in the prime Of life, like the flower a
noontide,' she said, mournfully.
eyes" said he, shifting his quid from on
side of his mouth to the other. shut Bett,
was getting along in years, and We must b
resigned"
"Just so, Mr.. Clark; resignation Is
cooling balm, as it were, to fill the achin,
void In the troubled breast, and Away
thought your wife was to old for such
smart, active man as you"
"Did you really?" said Clark, with sud
den interest.
"To be sure did; always took a grea
interest In your welfare
miss Perkins, said he suddenly, sea,
you make good tutter?'
Snow, Mr.. Clark she answered, blush
Ing. "yon touch me on a tender spot, for
il say it myself, won't turn my back t,
any woman In the country making goot
butter"
"Good cook?"
"First rate.''
| Understand housekeeping"
IN one better.,'
"Then I'll tell you what I've been think
ing about" said he, picking up anothe
stone and throwing it into the we'll. Sup
pose you and get married."
"Now, really, Mr.. Clark, you are so sud
den and take me by surprise; but m!
heart bleeds for you in your bereavement
and-and consent. Take me, l an
yours
The fond couple embraced, taking kiss
to ratify the bargain"
Mrs. Clark. under the gooseberry busl
was boiling with rage, but she restrained
herself for few moments.
~ say" said Clark, after they had re
gained their composurc, "wont Betty
clothes fit your,
"Of course they will. and it will be
great saving.
And will take that new cloak of her.
and make me an overcoat-- long one
like the city folks wear" said Clark.
ooh you dear creaturer' replied she.
"Sweet angel OF my soul !" said he.
Just then something hit Clark's back
and he did not know at first whether it wal
a wild cat, streak of lightning or til.
devil, but he found out directly.
.~l.r