The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-09-21
JONES.s FIRST WIFE.


reader-never discovered that he loved
his wife to distraction until the very
day Of her death. When that sad
event occurred, he seemed suddenly TO
become conscious OF the wonderful fact
that he could not exist without her
lie plunged at once into the deepest
purgatory OF woe; and though he
groAncd. wept, wrung his hands, and
tore his hair, he regretted exceedingly
thet he was still unable to express his
grief in Q manner more adequate to the
occasion. Mr. Jones literally waded
in agony and swan in despair: he re-
fused utterly 10 be comforted. and
! touchingly requested his friends to
bury him in the same grave with his
| Sophronia.'
1t Was q singular circumstance, we'll
known 10 the neighbors, that he had
never appeared sensible of bis wife's
virtues during his lifetime; but now.
while she lay dead in the house, the be-
reaved husband enumerated srch cat
alogue of good traits and dazzling quail
tiles a. would tire the reader to hear
them repeated. 1t was truly astonish-
ing to hear from his own lips what a
marvellous woman Mrs. Jones was-so
kind, 30 affectionate, 80 prudent, so
self-sacrificing. so industrious and such
good mother! He wept all the time
OF the funeral service. and at the church.
ward tried to throw himself into the
grave. in an exacerbstion OF grief He
returned homo looking SO crushed and
woe begone that the neighbors said he
would never recover from the shock.
Mrs. Smith met him aud tried 20 AS
snsgs the awful paDgs Of sorrow which
convulsed his breast. She advised him
to bc reconciled to the will Of Heaven,
and not to rebel against the Divine
mandates.
Mrs Smith. he replied solemniy. all
my hopes Of happiness sre blasted.
With Sophronia have buried oil my
earthly prospects.
Now, don't take on so. rcjoined good
Mrs Smith. but bear your bereavement
patiently. for the sake OF your child
rem
L really wish was dead. Mrs Sm,th
i wish was dead aud buried with
herr And he cspered about as some Of
the martyrs might haye done when
subjected. bare foot. to the torture of
tho hot iron floor.
Remember that death is the common
lot.' added the perscvering lady.
Death doesn't terrify me, returned
the widower in an impressive tone. ITS
being left behind
Believe me, neighbor Jones, time
will soften your sorrow. and God will
give you strength to bear this vista
ton
Never! he exclaimed. i do not
wish my sorrow softened. and don't
care about strength: in fact. hope it
may fail. and my bodily powers decay.
that might follow her to the silent
tomb
such feelings are nful. Mr. Jones;
conduct yourself with becoming forti-
tude, and in due time find companion
for yourself, and mother for your
children
Here the afflicted man had q fresh
paroxysm of grief. and struck some
highly tragical attitudes. favoring his
kindly disposed neighbor with some of
the most iugubrious expressions ever
attempted and successfully achieved,
either on the stage or of.
Il shall never. never marry again!
The sainted Mrs Jones has not her
equal on earth! The bare idea Of q Sec
ond wife seems like the rankcst treason
to departed worth; but forgive you.
Mrs Smith. for d-d.dare say you
M IN -n,ean we'll
The worthy woman now realized that
such woe WAS altogether out Of her
depth, and that she could not possibly
fish up any comfort from the common
waters Of consolation; and so with
sigh she left tho beresved Jones to wal
low alone through the mire Of afflic-
tion.
Everybody said Jones would never
get msr risd. and the idea was Of uni
versal prevalence: a settled question
ceded by all parties by unanimous con-
sent.
In inst ono month from tho day. of
Mrs Jones decease. Mrs Smith. from .
window, saw q remarkably we'll dressed
gentleman driving by quite gaily. with
o youthful looking lady at his side.
Who IN the world can that be- she
asked, turning to her frien1. Mrs Hop |
kins.
That replied the lady, is Mr. Jones.
1T can't be possible. exclaimed the
Questiouer.
And why not = inquired Mrs Hop |
kins.
Because his wifs's death has broken |
his spirit, and he'll never hold up his |
head again. But l do declare. it does
look like him.
And do you recognize the lady with |
him = resumed the other.
It's probably his wife's aunt. said
Mrs Smith, carefully adjusting her
glasses.
Nothing Of the kind; It is the pretty
widow Perkins, whose husband died
last fall
Well, l never expected to see Mr.
Jones look so cheerful or spruce up in
such away. Why. don't remember |
when I've seen Q man Frustrated by any |
bereavement as he was by the death Of |
Mrs Jones. Really. thought he would |
die Of grief
you perceive is wearing OIL pretty |
fast. You see in the young widow Per
kins the future Mrs Jones. probably.
Now. Mrs Hopkins. you are really |
unchsritable. 1t is most likely the |
poor soul has no such idea in his mind. |
Who knows but he is going TO visit
his wife's graves'