Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-10-25
A Difference in Methods.
TWO WAYS OF KILLING A WIFE.


failed to growl when such was the case.
He arose from the table and scowled at
the little woman who sat trembling and
weak, behind the big cofee-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, glaucing
at his wife, will toss out of the window
with a teaspoon faster than man can
throw in at the door with shovel. Time
is money, Mrs. TOwnsley, and if you go
on wasting it in this way, we shall all
be in the pOOr-hOuse before winter"
Wood green and wouldn't kindle p
Well, you should have found some that
would Weren't you up two hours be.
fore | was? What on earth women find
to do with all their time is more'n l
know. But don't sit there making ex-
cuses. There's been enough time lost
already, | should think. 1t is now half
past six. Bring me my thick boots. You
can get me a clean collar, too, while
you're about it. 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 bug
gy. Wait a minute" detaining her.
"You were speaking, Mrs. Townsley,
about elOthes-wringer. | haven't any
money to throw away on gimcracks. My
mother never had a wringing machine
and never asked for one. Takes all l
can rake and scrape to keep the farm
supplied with moving g-machines and
corn-planters. Pretty soon you will be
teasing again for piano, and then like
enough for sewing-machine or some
other invention to encourage idleness.
Hands were given US to use, Mrs. Towns
ley, not to dilly-dally here and there,
keeping meals waiting"
Delivered of his speech and ready for
town-gOing. Townsley allowed his wife
to depart in search of the horse blanket,
while he strobe to the front door, dis
patching Bob to open the gate, and
jumped into his buggy.
"Jane," said Townsley. unbending a
little, as the small, frail figure drew
closer and lifted in the heavy blanket,
''if the butcher stops to-day, you won't
need to get any meat for the house. |
shan't be home to dinner, and the men
folks will be over to Dawson's. Well, "
running up a thin, cheap smile to his
face to signal goodbye, "Fm off at last.
Whoa, Judy Jane, there's those pota-
toes in the bin they're sprouting. Bet
ter see to them to-day. Good morning.
Good morning it was-fair, fresh and
beautiful. The blue overhead was new
and bright, and the earth was clean
faced and rain-washed For mile OF
two Townsley's route lay through woods
where blossoming flowers filled the all
with fragrance. He cut at the flower;
with his whip, and left them bruised
and mangled by the wayside. The bird:
in the trees tossed him greeting as be
passed but all the notice that he tool
was to turn songs into screams by strik
ing at the branches where they swung
Not that Townsley was any longer ILL
natured, or that he had been ill-natured
any of the time. Had you charged hin
with any such feelings. he would have
denied their existence. But he liked {,
feel his power, and this slashing at ev
erything was habit he had, resulting
therefrom.
Judy was Townsley's best horse
When they got through the piece o
woods, and Townsley had nothing t
crack his whip at, he tried his snappe
on her and made her dance. Judy wa
in fine spirits this morning. She need
ed no urging. Townsley continued t
fret her with his whip But when h
, touched her with the tassel-end, it wa
more than the spirited animal woul'
brook. She reared and paved the air
and then plunged forward as if to FIRE
herself, and finally dashed down tn
road at break-neck speed. For mil
e she few like the wind but Townsley'
firm hand drew her in at last. and 70
the time being, the horse recognized he
master. But Judy's eyes glittered; sh
looked wicked. Townsley's eyes gin;
tened he felt proud AT ease with al
mankind. he willingly drew lines to cha
with Ricketts,. who was riding from tow
on horseback.
"Well, what's the news p with
patronizing nod. in exchange for Riel
etts' neighbOrly greeting.
'Wal, ther hain't much news, Nj
Townsley." said Ricketts,, shifting to a
!. easier position in the saddle. and leaI
ing down comfortably on the pOmme
"Not much news of any kind, ever
bOdy's so tarnal full Of the hangin'." {"
"Krieff, eh The fellow that murde