Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-02-06
(Forthe Shenandoah Herald.)
Experience OF a Married Man.
BY HEZEKIAH JENKINS.

subdued expression, she seldom smiled,
but she was still to me the same sweet
Marian.
A few Gaya ago,a stranger called. Ma
riar's kind heart always induces her to
extend cordial welcome to strangers.
This gentleman represented himself as
the agent of a very valuable apparatus,
recently invented and known as BELLS
Telephone" He had a very smooth
tongue and was a fine talker. In his
most inslnuating manner he explained
to Marian how she could set at home and
talk to her mother, living an hundred
miles away; and by using very cheap
instrument, she could converse with all
her neishbors without going to see them,
and besides, he said it was so cOnve-
nient to housekeepers because they
could ascertain who has sour milk to
give away or butter to lend without
sending all over town. His rates were
so reasonable that Marian had hall
dozen telephones put up at once aud
she amused herself for halliday talking
to her friends.
When came home Marian looked so
pleasant that thought some dealer in
flowers had been there. She gave me
one of her old time sweet smiles and
again recognized the bright sparkling
eyes that first made ME love Marar.
| was hardly seated before l heard
a confused noise, as if dozen
people were speaking at once. l look
ed up, when Marian remarked:
Hubby, that is the Reading Club.
They meet tonight at Mrs. Thomp-
sons. Won't it be so pleasant? We
can sit here and listen to them as they
read from some standard author, for |
am sure the young ladies select only
the be ST books for their reading club.
Now be still and we will enjoy it as
much as if we were in the room with
Them"
We were both Quie! aud for full
hour that telephone was taxed to its
utmost capacity. At first, we could
only hear confused noise and an Occa-
sional expression such as 80 girls, do
be quiet" Miss President" n mt,
you're too loud, somebody will hear
you." Order, Order" Miss President,
l move we have party in honor ofthe
departure of one of our members" The
motion was fully discussed, half dozen
speaking at one time and finally 1t was
shaved down to Taffy Pulling. The
next question was What shall we
wear:' All kinds of costumes from
parasol TO kid slipper were discussed
until white aprons and black dresses
were agreed upon. The comments up
on the different articles OF dress were
quite original. a dispute about fas-
cinator was decided by giving it to a
lady who could put on the most iasci-
mating airs. The dress question being
settled, the selection OF beauX was next
III order. The telephone had names 50
wonderfully mixed that we could scarce
~ assert them. They rolled in some
what in this order: John Smith, Bender
Ut, Luther Frayel, Walter Walker,
Charley Bird, and six or seven others,
but at last we heard voice Now you
call out, and | will write" Bender
Smith, Walter Newman, Charley Fra
vel, John Out, put that Black John,
David Miller, Luther Walker, Will
Williams, Evans Caskie, and number
Of others. Many remarks were indulg-
cd in at the expense of these gentle
men. The features OF some were too
prominent, some were too slow,
some were too precise and some
were rejected entirely and their names
omitted. 1t was now discovered that
the beauX would not go round" when
1 it was proposed to invite three widow
ers, but the proposition did not meet
with favor. 1t was moved that each
lady invite a gentleman but an objec-
ton was made and as there we're not
beaux enough, 1t was determined that
the ladies should go by themselves and
all the gentlemen should be invited to
the house where the taffy was to be
pulled.
remarked to Marian Now, l sup
pose, they will read" but all heard
was, Miss President, move we adj
iourn," and after little laughing and
a great deal Of talking there was quiet.
Marian was very much disappointed,
but really enjoyed the evening. There
were so many witty expressions, and
besides 1 learned more Of human ma
ture in that one houI than / ever did
before. 1 proposed to Marian to put up
few more telephones, for | really en-
loved the conversations OF the Reading
Club.
There was quiet for a moment
when was startled by squeaky voice
exclaiming "A pretty time to be COM
ing home" l looked around to see
who was talking, but Mariar said that it
was only Mrs Jones, who lived three
squares away talking to her husband
Yes" she continued, "here l have
been ever since dark by my lone sell
with the children, and you down street
playing dominoes or loafng in the
stores. Did 1 ever think it would come
TO this ? l may work my finger nails of
and,you loafng about the stores. AT
tendinr TO business YOU saw don't be