Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1877-12-21
NOBODY But JOHN.

Somebody il coming, said |, as the
clack of the shutting gate fell on my
ears, and | looked at Maggy's solcd, i'm
tidy dress, aud tumbled hair.
Maggy started and glanced hastily
from the window then sat down again
in Il careless way. remarking rs she
did so:
It's nobody but John.'
Nobody but John And who do YOU
think that nobody VAS Only her hus-
band,
Nobody but John.
\ few moments atterward John Fair
burn came into the room where we
were sitting and gave me one of his
frank, cordial greetings. had known
him for many years, and long before
his marriage | had noticed that he
gave an annoyed glance ut his wife, but
did not speak to her The meaning of
his annoyance and Indifference was
plain to me for John had come of
neat and tidy family. Ills mothers
housekeeping had always been notable.
She was poor but rs time and water
arc to be had for nothing, this was
one OF her sayings-she always man
aged to have things about clean and
orderly.
Maggie Lee had a pretty face, bright
eyes, and charming little ways that
were very taking with the young men,
and SO was quite belle before She GOT
out of her teens. She had knack of
fixing her ribbons. Or tying her scarf,
or arranging her hair, shawl, or dress
in way to give grace and charm to
her person. None but her most init
mate friends knew of her untidvncss
that pcrvaded room and person when
at home and away from common OBJ
servation.
Poor John Fairburn was taken in
when he married Maggy Ice. He
thought that he was getting the tidiest,
neatest, sweetest and most orderly girl
in town, but discovered too soon that he
was united to careless slattem. She
would dress for other peoples eyes, be-
cause she had Il natural love of admira-
ton but 1t home and for her husband
she put on her old duds and went look
ing often " like the old scratch, as the
saying is.
On the particular occasion of which
4 ilII SIl1thlliSS II h'lp dllti 6llC tlIlu
John had been married over year
her appearance was almost disgusting.
She did not have on even Il morning
dress only Il faded and tumblcd chintz
sack above a skirt-no collar-slippers
down on the heels, and dirty stock
ings. Her hair looked like hurrahs
nest, if anybody knows what that isl
don't; but / suppose it il the perfection
of disorder No one could love such
looking creature. That was simply inn
possible.
Nobody but John T. ] looked at
the bright, handsome young man and
wondered. He ate his dinner almost
in silence, and then went back to his
work. | had never seen him look so
moody.
Whats come over john | asked,
as he went out.
"Oh, ] don't know" his wife an
swered. something wrong ut the
shop, / suppose. Hes. had trouble
with one of the men. He Is foreman,
YOU know"
Are you sure its only that2"
asked, looking seriously.
" That, or something about his work.
There's nothing else 10 worry HIM.
was silent for While debating with
myself whethar good or harm would
come of little plain talk with Johns
wife. She was rather quick tempered, |
knew, and easy to take otiense. At last
ventured to remark
May be things arc not Just to his
liking III home.
Z" At nome Maggy turned Oh me
with flash IT surprise III her face.
What % you mean?
" Mon Exc beauty taste and neatness
HI their wives as well rs Ill their sweet
hearts" | said
The crimson mounted t9 her hair.
At the same moment saw her glance
at the oohing-gh.s that hung opposite
to her Oh the wall She sat very still.