Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-05-04
TOM. FOSTERS WIFE.

in Europe and was saunterng down Tre-
mont street, in the golden September morn
ing, when saw my old friend, Tom Foster,
get out Of horse Car few steps in advance
of ME. knew him in moment. though
we had hardly met since we were at Exeter
academy together ten years before-room-
mates and blithe companions until we parted
Il to go to Harvard, and he to enter his
fathers store, the well know house of Foster
& Co., Pearl street He was merry, hearty,
practical fellow, clear skinned robust as an
Englishman, and self-reliant and robust as
New Hampshire birth and Boston training,
could make him. | always liked him, but he
plunged into business and so, without mean
ing it, we had almost lost sight of each other.
He was an only child, and his parents spent
their summers at their homestead in Green
land. near Portsmouth, and their winters in
Boston,
AS said, knew him in moment. He
| had grown tall and stout, but the boy was
still in his face, and with flush of early feel
ing sprang forward and caught him by the
arm.
''Tom! How are yOu?'
He looked puzzled for moment, and then
bursting into laugh, he seized my hand in
his strong grasp, and exclaimed:
'Why John Ralston! is that you? Where
my boy. Why haven't set eyes on you since
we made that trip to Nahant in your fresh
man year. The truth is father was so poorly
| for long time then that had everything to
see to, and felt as if the world were on my
| shoulders. did hear, though, about your
! college honors and your going to Germany;
and I've often thought ofyou lately and wish
ed to see you. Why, Jack, in spite of my
weight and your beard and broad shoulders,
can't realize 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, on account Of a business matter. until
next Tuesday. Then am going home
''Well, now, this is Saturday. and you can
do nothing after o'clock, Come and spend
Sunday with me in the country. Iwant to
show you my wife"
''Your wife, Are you married, Tom?'
married nearly year." said he with
smile.
"1Ou don't look very solemn over it.
"Solemn? It's the jollest thing ever did
in my life. Meet me at the Eastern depot at
O'Clock, and I'll tell you all about it on the
way down.
We parted at the Winter street corner-he
to 60 to his store, and | to the Parker house.
''How handsome Boston has grown, said |,
glancing at the fine buildings, and common,
beautiful in the september sun.
eve think it nice town. he replied,
speaking with the moderate words and the
perfect assurance Of the Bostonian, to whom
his city is the sum of excellence and delight
''Remember, four o'clock" and he disappear
ed in the crowd.
''Tom married." | said to myself as l |
walked alone. Clara Maitland, whom | saw |
when / spent day there eleven years ago. |
remember what long curls 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,
good for nothing but to display the latest
fashions, and waltz little, and torture the
piano. Better some rosy, sturdy German
Gretchen than a poor doll like them. 1t
would have been shame for Tom, with his
splendid physique, and vigorous brain, to be
tied for life to such a woman" And then,
turning down School street, my thoughts
wandered off to a blue-eyed girl had loved
or many 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 in the
vale below; and hold steady oar in boat
on the river, and swim ashore, ii need should;
and then, when walk or row was over, who
could sit down to lunch of cold meat and
bread and butter with an appetite keen as a
young Indians after days hunt; yes, and
who knew how to be efficient in the kitchen
and the rarest ornament of the parlor. How
impatient l was to see her, the bewitching
maiden whom prince might have been
proud to marry. And again l said to myself
as went up the Parker house steps; Il do
nf p1f
Four o'clock found me at the station, and
a moment later in walked Tom, carrying
basket Of Jersey peaches. "They don't grow
in Greenland said he, tucking the papar :
down over the fruit Come this way.
followed him, and we had just seated our
selves comfortably in the car when the train ,
moved off. ,
''Now for the story, Tom," said l, as we !
crossed the bridge and caught the breeez, {
cool from the sea. But l can guess before $
hand the girl you married 1t is Clara Matt {
land"
A shadow passed over Toms face. 'Clara '
has been dead four years., said he. ''She /
inherited consumption from her mother. We !,
lid everything for her-took her to Mime /
sofa and Florida but it was no use. She did :
1ot live to see her eighteenth birthday f
':Poor Clara! She loved you dearly. Then b
suppose you chose some Boston girl of your g
q
Jack, you couldn't tell who Mrs Tom h
Foster was if you tried from now till morn d
ng. l shall have to enlighten you,' and d
moving the basket to one side and settling h
himself in the seat, he went On: You know q
have the misfortune to be the only child
After l was 21, father and mother began to :.
ak about my marrying. have plenty of
osins, you know, and we always had young a
aides going in and out of the house; but h
While Clara lived she was COMPANY for me