Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-01-19
SMITHS STORY.

SMITHS STORY.
NV story is about Smiths wife; and,
mind you, Smiths wife isn't my wife,
because Tn bachelor; but unless TIM
very much mistaken, there's another
Smith in. tcwn-perhaps two. Smiths
but iuss pleasantly plump; there was .
nice rounoness about her eyes, and
cheeks, and shoulders, and arms; good,
full curves to her red lips and pinky,
shelly ears; and though you would never
have thought of calling her handsome,
even pretty, she was decidedly nice.
She was a shrewd little body, too, with
plenty of tirmness; and if it had fallen
to your lot to have once heard her say
"Oh |" you would never have forgot
ten it.
Now, pray, don't imagine by the
word-exclamation-ejaoulation--"Oh!"
that I mean half-scream or hysterical
cry. Nothing of the kind. "Oh /"
with Mrs. Smith expressed as much as
five minutes of some peoples converse
tian; for it was accompanied by look
and curious tightening of the lips,
as Charles Smith, of Inenr Temple, Es-
quire, very well knew. All! he knew
tbefore heshad been married one month
of the twenty -four to which at the time
present his matrimonial life had ex-
tended.
But Smiths wife was no Tartar
nothing of the kind, again-but most
agreeable little body, passionately fond
of her husband. though somewhat trou-
bled by bonyness that had commenced
making its way into her home. It was
not regular skeleton grinning in
cupboard. Oh, no; but just an odd.
loose bone or two, over which she kept
stumbling, in consequence of the great
truth discovered by Shakespeare, who
advised ladies to s'sigh no more" be-
cause tsmen were deceivers, ever''s so
"You went be late this EVENING""
Charley Smiths wife said to her dap
per little man one morning, as, buttoned
up in his frock and overcoat, he re-en-
tered the breakfast room for the farewell
kiss before leaving Bayswater for the
shades of Fleet street.
''WeE, no" he SAID, "unless there's
pressure my love, and then we mustn't
grumble; for pressure means profit, ard
profit, seaside and silk dresses, eh :?
There, goodbye"
But, just moment. Charley. You
will try and be back ?"
ITO be sure" he cried; for, with the
nice, gentle, appealing, loving look, he
could say none other. "But there--it's
just ten
eyes, dear, know; but do try and
be back. I do SO like having you with
me of an evening""
And little, round, plump hand held
on by button-hold, and little, round
cheek was Laid against Mr.. Smiths
shoulder.
eyes. yes, yes, yes" he said rather
testify. ST like coming home; only
business pressure, you know"
sfBut there's so much pressure now,
Charley"
Good sign, my dear, and-there-I
must go"
s'But it presses so hard on me, Char
ley. and it seems as If you were tired of
coming back home"
stWhy, what stuff, to he surel Take
your fingers out of that button-hole, or
you'll drag it.
ST did want you so badly last night,
Charley; and [ like you to enjoy your
self, but not always to stop away of an
evening"
"Now, how can you be so unreason-
ssMrs. Lane came In last night, and
MIR. Lane called for her about 9, and
they stopped and had tea; and Mr..
Lane said he saw you go into the AL
hambra.
"Mei Alhambraa Pooh !! absurd
nonsense nonsenses mistake altogeth.
or. But there, I must go. =
"Ohi" said Mrs. Smith; and as he1
lord hurried away, that tightening Of
her lips was visible, and the little
woman locked dull and sad as she heard
the door close.
Smith did not get back to dinner thai
night, nor yet to tea; in fact, it was
half-past one when he returned home
in hack, smelling very strongly of TO-
bacco-probably the weed consumed al
q sed4tive while some abstruse brief
was studied. Mrs. Smith said nothing,
not even the next morning, when hel
husbands head ached badly, beyond
the power of concealment. All she did
was to make the tea spoonful strong
er, and to wait in hopes of little frank.
ness upon her husbands part.
But she waited in vain, for Smit4 had
promised to give up bachelor life and
friends; but only to have a very severe
relapse, brought on by his weakness in
never being able to say 'sNo -
<'Did you see brother William last
night?' said Smiths wife, one morning
after Smith had been detained by pres
sure at his chambers.
"William! No. Did he call or. me?'
NO." said Mrs. Smith, quietly; ''Le
said he went into Evans for q chop,
and that you were there with a couple
OF friends half way up the room"
ssNow, really, exclaimed Smith,
this is deal toe bad What did tell
YOU when came home last night?"