The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-12-16
JACKSON C. H. OHIO THURSDAY DECEMBER 1e, 1875.


breakfast he went out on the Terandah
to smoke his cigar, but it made him un-
easy to listen to Bessie's quick footsteps
overhead, and a moment or two later to
hear the trunk rolled across the floor. 1t
suddenly occurred to him that he would
manage the whole affair by going off to
ride on horseback (an exercise which
they all knew he was particularly fond),
and then, by not returning IN time, they
would necessarily be detained another
day, during which he felt confident Bes-
sic would so far recover her former self
as to permit her to remain. To make the
matter still more certain, he left his
beaver and borrowed cap from one of
the boys.
"Be sure and be back in time, George" 4"
Bessie called to him, from the chamber
window.
Il think we won't go down in the stage
anyway" he answered; "wen get Brown
to harness up and take US to the depot :"
By this little maneuver George knew
they would miss the stage, and he also
knew that he would not return in time
to permit of the horses being harnessed,
as well as to take them to depot five
miles distant.
Faithful little Bessie, not aware of her
husbands intentions, went on packing
her trunk. though not without little
burst of tears as she heard Sue say II
think he's perfet horrid old thing; l
don't see how on earth such little angel
as Bessie came to marry him." And
harder still was it to hear Mamies sweet
voice excusing him, just as the little wife
herself had so often done.
He doesn't mean to be cross, know;
Bessie loves him almost to death, any
7 Il l., l. L L 4
Yes, Bessie knew she did love him
might often be, by the strengthen her
love, not unmixed with shrewd womanly
wisdom. she believed she should conquer
at last
1t was brave little heart that Bessie
buttoned inside her travelling dress, and
with resolute step she joined the family,
who were sitting on the piazza to wait
for Georges return.
1t was not long before the old stage
rumbled past, and now Bessie was all i'm
patience, she really could not sit quietly
any longer and so, beckoning to Sue to
accompany her, she slipped over to Mr..
Browns, asked him to harness up at once,
and get everything ready to start the in
slant her husband should return. few
moments sufficed to place Mr.. Browns
staunch democratic wagon in front of the
door, and still George did not arrive
Come girls" said Bessie, cheerily, "go
with me to the depot, l can't wait for
George any longer"
why, you little goose" Sue answered,
"if he don come it won t be your fault,
you know, and you can spend another
day with u.s."
Thanks, Sue, for your suggestion, but
I've taken this matter into my own
hands now, and l am going if 1 have to
go alone,.' Bessie answered, with quiet
decision.
Dear me, you've got to be SO cranky"
said Sue, half pettishly, as she and Min
ME ran to put on their hats.
They had gone full one-halt the dis
tance to the depot, when, looking up,
they saw George cantering along quite
slowly, quite indifferent, apparently as
to time, trains, or business.
Come, George, or we shall be late"
Bessie called, in sweet, clear tones.
Why, you can't reach the depot now,
we're behind time" he answered, as he
drew out his watch for inspection
"Oh, yes, we can-we must you know"
and Bessie urged Brown to make all pos
sible haste, while Gearge fell into line in
the rear of the wagon.
Bessie, it's impossible for us to go to- |
lay; I've got to go back to the house
after my beaver"
Here it is" Bessie answered, holding |
1p the small section of stove-pipe; "Mr. |
Brown can take back the cap"
But the horse. interrupted George
II can fasten him onto the hind end O.
5he wagon" Mr.. Brown called out, in
tentorian tones
There was really nothing left for George
20 do but accept the situation and con
orm to it, which he did by urging for
ward his horse to keep pace with Mr..
Browns, which Bessie would not permit
% lag for an instant.
The depot was reached at just the last
no time even for good-byes;
ieorge snatched up his hat and ran to
ook after the trunk, while Bessie, un-
Lided, took her seat in the car.
Seems to me you're in terrible hur-
y this morning" George said, as he
oined her, his face flushed and bearing
okens of agitation from more causes
han one.
"Why, you know, my dear, you said>I
must return today" Bessie answered,
weetly, 'and was only trying to please
-ou"
Happily for George boy came through
he cars just Then selling morning pa
'eTS; one was DOuSuG lOr DeSSle anu one
or himself, behind the friendly shade of
which he hid his face for the next three
lours. Bessie did not care to disturb
lin, she, too, had paper to read. Once,
nd she thought twice, she was sure she
leard her husband saying to himself,
Fool! fooll'' but then there are so many
PERSONS whom one might call fool be-
ides oneself that we do not consider
he inference conclusive.
Every thing went on at home after
heir return the same as usual; the
ame-yet not the same. There was no
onfession upon Georges part, that was
lot his way; but there raS marked diff
erence in the manner in which he adj
Iressed his wife, especially in the deter
initial tones in which he said, whatever
Bessie" And when, a year later, Sue
ound not only the brightest little baby
10Y in the world, but the most loving
md indulgent of husbands. Sue could
hardly contain herself until George was
airly out of the house. then she deman-
led, in her DID, impetuous way
Bessie how on earth did you manage
t? l never saw a man so changed in my
ife; has he been converted?'
not that know of, Bessie answer
ID, with a quiet gleam of satisfaction in
Ter eyes; II let him have his own way
Until he got tired of it; my coming home
rom the mountains last summer Just as
did was the last effort of the kind l
vas ever obliged to put forth"