The Van Buren press., 1875-08-17
MISCELLANY.
How Mrs. Clark Put the Affection Of hei
husband to the Test.

Mrs Clark had been reading the Beech
er. Tilton scandal until her faith in man
had dwindled down to very fine point
She had poor opinion of them.
She had noticed that her hitherto lov
ing spouse had, for the past two weeks,
been low. spirited and down hearted.
She thought that perhaps he, too, had
been led from the paths Of virtue by the
dcluding voice Of scme bcwitching siren,
and that his love tor her was growing
cold. Bnt now to find out if such was the
case Josephus did not show any signs
of producing statement, or contessing
his guilt to a mutual friend.
H-- hrow corrugated, and her hands
clenched as she brOoded over her inagi-
nary wrongs, and she endeavored to put
the fidelity OF her husband to the test.
But how TO do it, that was the ques'
ton.
'Ah, have it, said she triumphantly.
III drown myself; that is, liguratively
Clark was farmer in good circ'"h'
stances, and being several years yoaiaser
than his wife, and good looking, IL keps
her in a state of perpetual worr'nent ana
jealousy. Mrs. Clark proceeded TO put
her plan into execution.
| Just behind the house was very deep
well, that had not been used Tor some
time and il was covered over now with
boards to prevent the cattle from falling
into it. -
She remove the covering from the well
and placing her bonnet and shawl upon
its brink, she crawled in under goose.
berry bush to await developments.
Tic weather was cold, and she was
ns.rly frozen before she saw her husband
snd hired man coming from the barn
I where they had been working.
Clark passed the well without noticing
the clothing; but the hired man saw them
and gave cry OF horror.
Mercy on us, Mr.. Clark! Your wife
has thrown herself into the we'll! 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, de-
scend into the watcry depth, in eager
search Of her cold, damp corpse
But Mr.. Clark did net do anything OF
the kind. He kindly took fresh chew
Of tobacco, and then approaching the
we'll, locked quietly into it.
Il guess the old girl has suicided,' said
he without any emotion worth speaking
Of Jake, you sling the boards back
again; l wouldn't have the brindle helleI
get in there for fifty dollars; and aftel
dinner, we'll hoist the old woman out
.Hadn'tI better get some Of the neigh
bors here, first! asked the frightened
man
After dinner will do, Jake. Bnsi
ness before pleasure, is my motto. and
am awful hungry
Jake covered up the we'll, and the men
went into the house, leaving the old lad,
bowling with rage.
I'm old girl him! I'll sucided him
Take more pains over the pesky he fer
than he does with me Ill-I'W-
Words failed her; they were made
auate to express her feelings.
After dinner Clark sent the hired mar
after some of the neighbors, and while h
was awaiting his return he seated himsei
upon log in plain sight Of his loving
wife, and whistled odd Hundred al
through without missinga stave. :.
The ncighbors arrived, and were full
of sympathy for the bereaved husband
and Josephus bore his honors meekly.
Various plans wcte canvassed for rails
ing the body, but owing to the greaa
depth of the well they could not dec'd
the right ole.
IN tell you the best way, friends
said Clark, pathetically. She is gone
and will never more come to this world o
woe and trouble; SO l think We had bet
ter let the body remain where it is an'
, fl! up the we'll. 1t will save a power o
trouble and bother.
The proposition was agreed on by tn
neighbors as being feasible, and the wor
Of filling up commenced, Josephus throw
ing in all the large blocks and stones o
wood that he could lay bis hands on,
A. There said he, 4 guess that will ds