The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-04-12
MRS. JOEEA's ELOPEMENT.

Nlis JOucb ChLlc uOHlC Ludb diIcIuOUu
feeling cross and tired. Business had
been dull, and the clerks had been pro-
voking. When he felt out of sorts, as he
did that day, a nice supper and his wife's
company were the best antidotes he knew
Of, and he hoped to have them effect
cure in this instance, as they had often
in other instances.
But Mrs. Jones was out, the girl said,
she had been busy in her room all the
afternoon; she didn't know what she was
doing. About an hour ago she had put
on her bonnet and gone out. and had
charged her to tell her husband, when he
came home, that she should not be home
until late in the evening. "Gone out on
particular business, she said," added
Bridget.
"On particular business, eh ?" growled
Jones. "Pd like to know what particu-
lar business she has. Ishould say it was
n wife's place to stay at home. She
knew, of course, that was coming home
completely tired out, but that doesn't
interfere with her pleasure in the least.
She can enjoy herself just the same
probably all the more, because Pm out
of the way. wish knew where she'd
gone"
He went up to her room to see if she
had wsrn her best clothes.
Because, if she has," reasoned Mr..
Jones, "she's gone off to have a good
time with some one she cares for more
than she does for me.
Mr.. Jones's brow was black as any
thunder-cloud at the thought. He was
in precisely the right frame of mind to
make mountains out of mole-hills.
But she hadn't worn any of her new
dresses.
at can't be she's going to party"
concluded Mr.. Jones, cor she'd have
rigged up more. 1t must be that she's
gone somewhere else, and wants to keep
dark. 1t begins to look mysterious. A
woman don't generally go off in this way
without saying something to her hus-
band, and wear her old clothes without
its meaning something, Pve observed"
said Mr.. Jones, solemnly to Mr.. Jones
in the glass. "Pd like to know what it
all does mean anyhow"
1t was just at this juncture that Mr.
Jones discovered letter on Mrs. Jones's
writing-desk. 1t was a freshly written
page, beginning:
Dear Edward :"
Mr. Jones's hair raised upon end when
his eagle eye caught sight of that name,
What awful thing had he discovered
Could it be that his wife was in the
habit of writing letters to gentlemen
Perhaps she had gone out to meet one
now.
He read the letter through withou
stopping to take breath from beginnin,
TO end.
II read as follows:
DEAR EDWARD: 1 have read your touch
ing appeal over and over, until every wor
OF IL is stamped upon my heart. 1t ha
caused me to fight a terrible battle wit
myself. / love you, and there is no use 70
me TO deny IL. 1 cannot deceive myself
noryou, by so doing. But my duty is to sta
with my husband. I loathe him-I despis
him; he is a tyrant-but he is my husband
and as such suppose he has claim upon m,
in the eyes of the world, that you have no
But, my darling, love you, and have com
10 the conclusion to cast my lot with your
1 will do as you wish me to. 1 will met
you at the oak tree tonight at ten o'clocl
hope shall"
And here, at the bottom of the pag,
the letter broke of very abruptly. TIL
other side of the page was blank.
"Great Jehosophatp p That was th
awful word that broke from Mr.. Jones
lips when he had finished reading.
was the nearest to swearing of any wor
he INDUCED in. If ever he felt justife
in using it, he did now. His face was
sight to behold. 1t was full of ange
surprise and bewilderment.
She loves him, does she F' he ejac
lated family. "And Pm tyrant, a
1? The wretched creature! she loath
me, and depises me, does she 4? I'll she
her a thing or two. Let me see-t,
o'clock, at the oak tree; I'll be ther
my dear, and Pll learn your dear E
ward something he won't forget.
go out this blessed minute and get
couple Of officers, and we'll wait for 20
fancy we'll surprise you little. Gre
Jehosophatl and she's actually been {
ceiving me all the time, and letting Sol
other man talk love to her, and coax b
TO elope with him can't believe it, a
yet can't doubt it, for here it is in b
own writing. would not have believ