Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-27
1aitg ataasttt gournal.


Nd gSopcr's wife had been very sick for
some weeks, but, although extremely re-
duced in body and mind, there is still
enough of the true woman, remaining IN
her, which led her last Monday. in faint
whisper, TO ask her husband. who had en-
tered the sick.room with funeral cast Oh
features, what was the news.
.Well.ry answered Mr. Soper, sitting
une asjlv down on the edge OF chair, and
balancing his hat on his fingers by the
brim ssthere amt nothing to speak OF in
par,icler. S,pose you heard of Miss Coles
dealt, !, she was taken the same time you
was
.T should think, James, said Mrs. So
per with d feeble emphasis, "that if you
couldnt find somthin more cheerful to say
to your poor sick wife. you'd hold your
tongue" L. ~
.Getniy,' said Mr.. Soper meekly, only
news is so scace. Lemme see,' he contiD-
ued, looking thoughtfully into the crown
of his hat, as If he had reserved fund OF
gossip therein: you heard bout Mathy
Carriers berakin her leg
A snapp;sh nod of the head from the in
valid signified TO Mr.. Soper that he was on
dsakerous ground. but, after moments
reflection, he frightened visibly as ne
said:
sYOu orter ben to town meetin Mondy.
The towns veted TO l:ave new hearse,
an was never SO glad of anything in all
my life.'
James Edward Soper,' whispered his
wife. with painful intensity. be you q
natral born TOOL, or be you lookin iorrard
to gettip rid Of me. szz4...,.... i.
As - htsef view had never presented
itself 10 Mr.. Soper in the light OF his wifes
inquiry, he looked very much sabdued
and scratched his head with an Fir OF pain
full abstraction as Mrs. Soper said again
with . fearful voice:
..Oh, you can 20. If you cant spare
few moments to set with me, an jes Civ
nue. some little interestin news-I don't
wsnS ynnto stay agin your inclination, ;
shercontinued with the sigh of martyr.
Mr.. Soper hastily expressed his willing
ness to remain and desire to please. 50 at
ter Z. brief ieferval of thought he contin-
ued refsctively:
We'll, lemme, think was to the widder
Stacy's las night to see'f could make a
trade for . Jersey heffer, an tell you,
Myria,' said Mr. Soper, enthusiastically.
If she amt harnsum critter, ! never see
ONE t$a ass sk 3e'a
An ominous light appeared in Mrs.
Soper's sunken eyes, and II her husband
had been observing closely he would have
seen q restless motion of the hands, indie.
alive OF personal attack upon some one
or something, but he saw nothing. and
continued
She's Jest about the right size, an her
skin IS white as snow. She's got the
pootiest legs continued the unrehective
MIR. Sopher. with descriptive motion of
the hand; and when you como to talk
about shape, why. Mira said Mr.. Soph-
er, rising from his chair in his warmth,
shell measure two feet across her breast
s
The scream that came from the afflicted
invalid at this juncture was OF such pierre
ing shrillness that Mr.. Sopher placed his
fingers in his ears, and Mrs. Soper's
mamma, who was in the next room, APP
peared on the scene in the twinkling OF an
eye.s ,si :,
oh, you awful brute = she exclaimed
a. she bathed her daughters brow with
camphor, while the wretched man feebly
endeayored to explain that he was only
telling Mrs. Sopher about Jersey heiisr
that he was going to buy.
There, ma said Mrs. Soper with a
gasp, I'm better now
You'd better leave the room, said the
matron, with world of significant wrath
in her eye, and the unfortunate Soper de-
parted, mutterIng. as he slammed the out
side door behind him. that he'd be master
in his own house some day; but he hasn't
been yet, for Mrs. Soper has recovered.
and her mother has taken up permanent
residence with them.
To this day they don't speak to the
widow Stacy, and Mr.. Soper's reiterated
explanation has always been received in
dignified and incredulous silence.-AHe-
ghany Pa Nail.