Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-28

A BREEZE AMONG THE SMITHS.
BY JUDGE CLARK.

Mr.. John Smiths face lowered with
passion. His little, cold, gray eyes fash
ed with uuwonted fire.
1t must have been something out of the
common way that could throw sedate
country merchant, pattern of propriety,
and leading citizen of marlborough,
into such state.
Not to make mystery of it, the case
was simply this On returning from a
business trip, which had detained him
some days less than he had expected, Mr..
Smith found on his desk, among some
letters brought from the post-office in his
absence, one addressed to "Mrs. John
Smith" The "Mrs ~ was not very plain
ly written, and might readily have been
mistaken for 'Mr." the reason, we may
surmise. why the letter was left at the
store, instead of being carried directly to
the house.
1t is possible that Mr. Smith fell into
like error. or, it may be, that he took ad-
vantage of the ambiguous prefix to graft
fy a little harmless martial curiosity for
like other Smiths, he was but mortal. and
not exempt from human weakness.
However it came about, he opened and
read the letter.
1t thunderstruck him.
MY Lifes Darling" it began, and
ended "Your Adoring Jack" Between,
were endearing words of fondness which
could have emanated only from an ardent
pen and devoted lover. A photograph
and fifty dollar bill were enclosed. The
former, "Adoring Jack" said, was to keep
his "tootsi-wootsie" from forgetting him,
and the latter was merely trife for
present pocket-money In a few days he
hoped he would again see his "deary
dear" Mr.. Smith shook his fist at the
young, handsome face that peered sauc-
y at hin. from the little pasteboard card.
''Oh! you william ~ he growled through
his clinched teeth; ''you thought to take
advantage of my absence, but it was
shorter than you counted on, and may
yet be in time to thwart the progress of
your devlish plans ~
Then jamming on his hat, he strobe
rapidly in the direction of his blighted
home.
"Madam y he exclaimed. boiling into
the presence of his astonished wife, and
tlourishing the obnoxious picture before
her eyes. do you recognize that ?''
81 do not" she answered, with un-
teigned astonishment.
Nor that either, suppose" he cried
irantically, tossing her the eliminating
letter.
"Nor that either" she replied, with an
undaunted look, after glancing over the
contents.
Such brazen effrontery drove him to the
verge OF phrensy. He attempted to tear
his hair, but only brought away the
scratch that covered the bald spot on his
crown.
"False woman !" he exclaimed, .dare
you deny the damning proofs of your
guilt? That letter came in an envelope
| addressed to you, enclosing also this" he
continued, dashing on the floor the coun
terfeit presentment of "adoring jack"
and grinding it under his heel; ''and this,
too," he yelled. shaking the fifty dollar
bill in her face, and then rending it to
atoms.
'Oh that's what you mean, is it ?''
screamed Mrs. John Smith, comprehend
ing at last her husbands words and ac-
tions, "Brute monster !-idiotr' shrek
ed Mrs. John. who DIDN'T do things by
halves once she got on the rampage"
"Hil have the villains blood ~ roared
the infuriated husband
"Do, and be hanged ~ was the taun.ing
retort
I'm not be hanged. either, to please
you, madam; Tll-I'll plead insanity"
'And well you may!' sneered Mrs.
John. seeing you always were fool"
Maddened at his wiie's hardihood in
in facing down facts so unanswerable, the
unhappy Smith snatched up his hat and
rushed into the street.
As he hurriedrecklessly along, he caught
sight of a man ascending the stoop of
neighboring house. A glimpse of the
strangers face brought Smith to halt.
In it he recognized. beyound mistake, the
original of the picture of "Adoring jack ~
For an instant Mr.. John Smith stood
like one petrilied. Then darting up the
steps, he entered the door at the stran-
gers back.
Stay, must have word with your
he said, in an angry. excited tone.
"Well. sir, replied the other, with com
posure.
did you write that etterp''
81 did" the stranger answered, glanc-
ing at crumpled paper showed into his
hand by MIR. Smith; "but how came it in
your possession ~
"a cool question. truly exclaimed
the enraged husband.
"Besides, there was money and pic
ture in it," continued the other, eyeing
his visitor suspciously.
"Scoundrell' cried Smith, ''your as
surance quite amazes me ~
"lIow dare you insult me in my own
house,? demanded the stranger, collaring
the intruder roughly.
GLOW dare you send such letter to my
wife ?' Numbered Smith, struggling to
free himself
ITO your wife,"
Yes to my wife-Mrs John Smith ~
The stranger relaxed his grasp on Mr.
Johns collar. A new light flashed upon
him, and smile replaced the scowl upon
his face.
$50 your names Smith, is it ?" ne in
quired
1T is growled Mr.. John. puzzled to
catch the Others drift.
John Smith P''
Yes" with another growl.
80 is mine," returned the stranger:
land my wife. OF course, is Mrs. John
Smith. We are just married. and are
newcomers here, which accounts, sus
pect, for the wrong delivery OF this letter,
rsft a., - r.. n