Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-28
Stltttr0 Storp.
A DIFFERENCE IN METH obs.
Two Ways OF killing a wife.
BY II. V. OSBORNE

Iownslsy, the richest farmer in Tucka
hoe County, has Just growled down his
breakfast. The meal had been served ten
minutes late, and Townsley never failed
10 grOwl when such was the case. lie
arose from the table and sc1vled at the
little moman who sat, trembling anl
weak, behind the Big coffee pot. TLa;
ii'Ile, faded piece Of humanity was
ToWnsley's vile. and trembling was good
enough for her. and ii her white face had
been flushed with shame. 1t would have
been lar more becoming.
a woman" said Townsley, glaucing
10 his wife. evil toss out OF the wiad)w
with "a teaspoon faster than man can
throw in a; the door with a shovel. Tim
G, money, Mrs. TownsIey, AMI if You 20
Cu wasting i, in this way. we shall all ba
E The pooy.hoUse bcio:e winter.
Wood green and wouldn't kindle p
Wei, You should have found some that
would, Weren't you up two hours before
was? What on earth women iiud TO 30
with all their tune Is moge'n know. But
don't 81, there making excuses There's
been enough time lost already, should
think. L is now hlltpast six. Briug me
my thick boots. You can get me clean
collar, too, while you're about it. I'm
gcing to town. By the way" said Town
sley, as the little ilgers of his wife ias.
tened the fresh collar around his throat,
''run 70 the barn ana bring JIdy's horso
blsnket around to the front door. 1t I'm
not there. roll it up and throw it in the
buggy. Wait minute" detainiag her
"You were speaking. Mrs. Townsley.
about a clOiheS-w wringer. haven't any
money to throw away on simcracks. Ny
mother never had a wringing machine
and never asked for one. Takes all | can
rake and scrape TO keep the farm supplied
with mowiug-machines aud corn planters.
Pretty soon YOU will be teasing again for
a piano. ana then like enough for q sew
ing machine or some other invention TO
encourage idleness. Hands were given
70 use. Mrs. ToTnsley, not to dilly daily
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
patched Bob to open the gate, and Jumped
iuto his buggy.
Jane" said, Townsley. unbending a
little, as the small frail figure drew closer
and lifted in the heavy blanket, "if the
butcher s.ops to-day, you won't need TO
get any meat for the house. ! shan't De
home to dinner and the men folks will be
over to Dawson's. Well" RAINING up a
thin. cheap smile to his face to signal
goodbye. I'm off at last. Whoa. Judy.
Jane there's those potatoes in the bin
they're sprouting. Better see to them
to day. Good-morning.'
Good morning it was-iair, fresh and
eau,ilul. The blue overhead was new
and bright and the earth was c!ean-taced
and rain.washed. For mile or two
Townsley's route lay through woods
where blossoming flowers filled the ar
with fragrance. lie cut at the flowers
with his whip aud left them bruised anu
mangled by the wayside. The birds IN
the trees tossed him greeting US he
/ nqssed: but all the notice that he took
VAS 10 turn songs to screams by striking
nt tbe branches where they swung. Not
that Townsley was any longer i'll naiured'
I ar that he had been i'll natured any OF the
time. Had You charged him with such
feelings he would have denied their eX-
istence. But he liked to feel his power
and this slashing at everything was
habit he had. resulting thereirom.
Judy was Townships best horse. When
they GOT through the piece OF woods, and
Townsley had nothing to crack his WHIP
at. he tried his snapper on her ana made
her dance Judy was in line spirits tins
morning. She needed no urging Towns
lev continued TO fret her with his whip
But u hen he touched her With The tassei
end il was more than the spirited anima
would brook. She reared and paved th'
...r nnd then plunged forward as II Z