Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-10-09
a TEST OF LOVE.


been low-spirlted and down hearted.
She thought perhaps his love for her
was growing cold.
Her brow corrugated, and her hands
clenched as she brooded over her imagin-
airy wrongs and she determined to put the
fidelity of her husband to the test.
But how to do it that was the question.
"Ah! have is" said she triumphanty.
I'm drown myself; that is, fguratively." :"
Clark was farmer, in good circum-
stances, and being several years younger
than his wife, and good looking, it kept
her IN II state OF perpetual worriment and
jealousy. Mrs, Clark proceeded to put
her plan into execution.
Just behind the house was a very deep
well which had not been used for some
time, and it was now covered over with
boards to prevent the cattle from falling
in.
She removed the covering from the
well, and placing bonnet and shawl upon
its brink, she crawled in under large
gooseberry bush to await developments.
The weather was cold, and she nearly
troze before she saw her husband and the
hired man coming from tho barn where
they had been working.
Clark passed by the well without seeing
the clothing but the hired man noticed
it aud gave II cry OF horror.
Mercy on us, Mr.. Clark your wife
has thrown herself into the well !" he
shouted frantically.
Mrs. Clark expected that her husband
would tear his hair and rush to the edge
OF the well, and alter calling her all the
endealing names he could think of, de-
scend into the watery depth, i'll eager
search for her cold, damp corpse.
But Mr., Clark did not DO anything OF
the kind. He calmly took fresh chew
, oi tobacco, and then approached the well
and looked quietly into it,
l guess the old gal has suicided," he
said without any emotion worth speaking
OF, Jake, you sling them boards back
again ; wouldn't have that brindlc heit-
er get in there for fifty dollars and after
dinner we'll hoist the old woman out"
Hadn't | better get some of the
neighbors here first ?" asked the fright
ened man.
, "Atter dinner will do, Jake. Business
, before pleasure is my motto, and | am
awful hungry"
Jake covered up the well, and the men
went into the house, leaving the old lady
, bowling with rage.
"I'll old gal him III suicided him
, Take more pains with that pesky heiioI
than he does with me. I'll-Ill-"
Words failed her; they were mad
equato to do justice to her feelings.
After dinner Clark sent the hired man
for some of the neighbors, and whilc he
was awaiting his return he seated himself
ON u log in plain sight of his loving wife,
and whi,tled "Old Hundred " all through
without missing II staye.
The neighbors arrived and were full OF
sympathy for the bereaved husband and
Josephus bore his honors meekly.
Various plans were canvassed for rails
ing the dcnd body, but owing to the great
| depth of the well, they could not decide
upon the right one.
"I'll tell you the best way, friends"
sail Cnrk pathetically. "She's gone,
aud will never return to this world Of woe
and tIou5lo; So | think we had better
leave the body where it is, and fill the
, we'll. 1t will save power OF trouble and
hulher."
This proposition was agreed to by the
neigh bors rs being feasible and the work
, %, nlIng up commenced, Josephus throw
ing ia all the large stones and blocks OF
, wood be could lay his hands on.
There" said he, :" | guess that will
do" after having dumped IL couple OF
ca,t loads Of miscellaneous rubbish into
the well. Jake can fill up the rest, odd
spells aud rainy days. Wen have the
, funeral sermon preached as soon as | get
done hauling wood"
Nenr by the side Of Josephus stood a
woman of about thirty Summers or Win
ter, aud she had been regarding the sol
ernn work with mingled joy and sorrow,
and when the rest Of the neighbors took
their departure she remained behind to
. comfort the aching heart Of the bereaved
widuwrr.
at is. II greot pity to be so suddenly cut
down in the prime Of life like the flowers
ut noontde, =" she said mournfuly.
;" he suid, shifting his quid from
one >ide of his mouth to tho other but
, Betty was getting along in years, and we
must be resigned"
Just so, Mr.. Clark resignation is a
cooling balm, MS it were, to fill the void
in the troubled breast, and always tho't
your wife wa. too old for such u smart,
active man as you are"
did you really?" answered Clark,
with sudden interest.
"Tu be sure did always took an
interest in your welfare"
Clark was lost in meditation for some
. time.
Miss Perkins," he said suddenly
"cnu you make good butter ?"
Now, Mr.. Clnrk," she replied blush
. iug,y. ''you touch me on II tender point
, fori, do say II myself, won't turn my
bncA to any woman in the country max
: ing good butter"
Good cook ?"
First rate"
Understand housekeeping ?"
None better"
Then I'll tell you what I've beer
Ihinkinr of - he snid milking nn anolhel