The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-04-21
HisreHanenus.
TOM. FOSTERS WIFE.
By EDNA ]. PROCTOR.

stay in Europe, and was saunterins
Gown fremont street, in the golden Sep
tember morning, when saw old FRIEND
Tom Foster, get out of horse car JUS
in advance of me. / knew him in 4
moment, though we had hardly met
since we were at Exeter academy togeth
er. ten years before-room mates anG
blithe companions until we parted tC
go to Harvard, and he to enter his faith
er's store, the well known house of Eos
ter d Co, Pearl street. He was merry
hearty, practical fellow, clear-skinned
and robust as an Englishman, and self
reliant and robust as New Hampshire
birth and Boston training could make
him. always liked him, but he plung
ed into business and so without meaning
it, we had almost lost sight of each other.
He was an only child and his parents
spent their Summers at their homestead
in Greenland, near Portsmouth, and
their Winters in Boston.
As said, knew him in a moment.-
He had grown tall and stout, but the
boy was still in his face, and, with a
flush of early feeling sprang forward
and caught him by the arm.
TON! How are youl
He looked puzzled for moment, and
then bursting into a loud laugh, he seized
my hand in his strong grasp and exclaiIn-
ed:
''Why, John Ralstonl Is that you?
Where did you come from? I'm glad to
see you, my boy. Why l haven't set
eyes on you since we made the trip to
Nahant in your Freshman year. The
truth is, father was so poorly for long
time then that had everything to see
to, and felt as if the world was on my
shoulders. | did hear, though, about
your college honors and your going to
Germany; and I've often thought of you
lately and wished to see you. Why,
Jack, in spite of my weight and your
beard and broad shoulders, can't real
ize that ten years have gone since we
were at Exeter together. We must talk
over old times and new. When did you
get back and what are your plans"
81 came yesterday, and shall stay in
the city, Oh account of business mat
ter, until next Tuesday. Then l am
going home.
swell, now, this is Saturday, and you
can do nothing after three o'clock
Come and spend Sunday with me in the
country want to show you my wife.
''Your wife. Are you married Tom?"
Married nearly year." said he with
a smile.
You don't look very solemn over it. !"
''Solemn? It's the jolliest thing l
ever did in my life. Meet me at the East
ern depot at four O'Clock, and I'll tell you
all about it on the way down."
We parted at the Winter street corner
he to go to his store, and to the Par
ker House.
"How handsome Boston has grown" q"
said l, glancing at the fine buildings and
the Common, beautiful i'm the Septem-
ber sun.
''We think it nice town" he replied
speaking with moderate words and the
perfect assurance of a Rostonian to
whom his city il the sum of all excellence
and delight. Remember, four o clock "
And he disappeared in the crowd.
tom marriedm | said to myself, as
walked alone. 81 dare say it's to his
fathers pretty ward, Clara Maitland,
whom l saw when l spent day there
eleven years ago. remember what
long curIs she had and how fond she
seemed of him. Yes, dare say it's to
Clara. hope, though, she hasn't
grown up into one OF those delicate
young ladies, coed for nothing but to
display the latest fashions, and waltz a
little and torture the piano. Better
some rosy sturdy German Gretchen than
a poor doll like them. 1t would be a
shame for Tom, with his splendid ply
sique and vigorous brain, to be tied for
life to such a woman" And then turn
ing down School street, my thoughts
wandered off to a blue-eyed girl had
loved for many a year-a girl who was
not satisfied with the small triumphs OF
the croquet ground, but who would send
an arrow straight home to the mark
and climb the hill with me, her step
light and free as the deer's in the vale
below; and hold steady oar in a boat
on the river; and swim ashore, if need
be; and then when the walk or row was
over, who could sit down to a lunch oi
cold meat and bread and butter with an
appetite keen as young Indians after
a days hunt; yes, aud yho knew how to
be efficient IN the kitchen and the rarest
ornament of the parlor. How impa
tient was to see her, the bewitching
maiden whom a prince might have been
proud to marry And again said te
myself as went up the Parker House
steps: 81 do hope Tom hasnt made
fool of himself"
Four O'Clock found me at the station,
and momen. later, In walked Tom witt
a basket filled with Jersey peaches
sThey don't grow in Greenland" saiG
he tucking the paper down over the
fruit. ''Come this way" / followed
him and we had just seated ourselves
comfortably in the car when the trair
moved oG
Now for the story, Tom," said /, a.
we crossed the bridge aud caught th'
breeze cool from the sea. ''But ! car
guess beforehand the girl you married
1t was Clara Maitland.
A shadow passed over Toms face
"Clara has been dead four years." sait
he s.She inherited consumption from
her mother. We did everything for he
took her Minnesota and Florida, bu
If WAS no use. She didn't liVe to sec he
eighteenth birthday"
ssPoor Clara! She loved you dearly
Then suppose you chose some Boston
girl of your acquaintance"
"Jack, you couldn't tell who Mrs
Tom Foster was if you tried from nov
| till morning. shall have to enlighter
| yo,ur.s and moving the basket to one sid
and settling himself in the seat he wen
on: "You know ! have the misfortune