Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-20
NOBODY BUT JOHN.

ears, and looked at Maggy's soiled, I'M
tidy dress, aud tumbled hair.
Maggy started and glanced hastily
from the window then sat down again
in a careless way, remarking as she
did so:
It's nobody but john"
Nobody but John And who do you
think that nobody was? Only her hus-
band.
Nobody but John.
A few moments afterward 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 at his wife, but
did not speak to her The meaning of
his annoyance and indifference was
plain to me for John had come of a
neat and tidy family His mothers
housekeeping had always been notable
She was poor; but as :" time and water
are 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 Il 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 untidyness
that pervaded room and person when
at home and away from common OBJ
servation.
Poor John Fairburn was taken in
when he married Maggy Lee 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 a careless slattern. She
would dress for other peoples eyes be-
cause she had natural love of admira-
ton but ct 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
| am speaking-it was after she and
John had been married over year
her appearance was almost disgusting
She did not have ON even a morning
dress only faded and tumbled chintz
sack above a skirt-no collar-slippers
down on the heels, and dirty stock
ings. Her hair looked like hurrah's
nest, if anybody knows what that isl
don't but [ suppose it is the perfection
of disorder. No one could love such a
looking creature. That was simply i'm
possible.
Nobody but John y | 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 !" l asked,
rs he went out
oh, | don't know" his wife an
swered. Something wrong at the
shop, | suppose. He's had trouble
with one of the men. He is foreman,
you know"
Are you sure its only that?" l
asked, looking seriously.
That, or something about his work.
There's nothing else to 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 offense. At last
| ventured to remark:
May be things are not just to his
liking at home"
AT home!' Maggy turned on me
with flash of surprise in her face.
what do you mean?"
Men like beauty, taste and neatness
In their wives as well as in their sweet
hearts" | said.
The crimson mounted to her hair.
AT the same moment | saw her glance
at the looking-glass, that hung opposite
to her on the wall. She sat very still,
yet with startled look in her eyes, until
the flash faded, and her face became al
most pale.
Macy" said 1, rising and drawing
my arm around her, "cOme up stairs,
| have something very serious to say
to YOU"
We walked up from the little dining
room and up to her chamber in silence.
then said:
:" Maggy, l want to tell about dear
friend of mine who made shipwreck of
happiness and life. 1t is sad story,
but l am sure it will interest you deep
ly. She was my cousin; and her name
was"
NIaggy bent forward, and listened at
tentively. "What" she asked, as l
hesitated on the name
Helen"
mot Helen White, who married John
Harding, and was afterward deserted by
her husband?'
Eyes my poor, dear cousin Helen.
1t is of her am going to tell YOU"
Il never knew why her husband
went off as he did, said Magey. "Some
said he was to blame and some put all
the fault on her. How was it p
Both were to blame, but she most"
| replied John Harding, like your
husband, was one of the neatest and
most orderly of men. Anything I'M
tidy in his home or in the person of his
wife, annoyed and often put him out of
humor; but he did not, as he should
have done, speak plainly to his wife and
let her see exactly how he felt, and in
what he should like change. If he
had done so, Helen would have tried
as every good wife should-to conform
herself more to his taste and wishes
But he was silent. moody sort of a
man when things did not 90 just to suit
him; and, instead of speaking out plain
", brooded over Helen's faults, and
worried himself into ill-humor And
what was worse than all, grew at length