River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-06-05
How a Woman Reads a Letter.

Did YOU ever hand woman letter
fast as she was about to sit down to din
nerl If you are married man, and very
careful, you have probably done so about
once a year. If you are not very careful,
you have possibly forgotten yourself and
committed that foolish act several times
year 1t is awtulIy wearing on Il man
to bring home a letter to his wife at meal
time more than once year. Sometimes
it is wearing on a woman, especially II
the husband is quick-tempered or impul-
sive.
At noon Mr.. Pettibone starts for home
and dinner. On his way he stops at the
postoffice, and, perchahce, gets letter
directed to his wife He has been through
the mill, he has, and, with a chuckle,very
carefully places the letters in his inside
pocket, and mentally decides that Mary
Jane will not get that letter unit. after
dinner not if he knows it. Smiling at
the strategem of his little game, he pro-
cecds ioyfully homewarti, his appetite
waxing sharper each moment. As he en-
ters the house the savory smell Of the
Wand salutes him. Little johnny also
salutes him, with kiss, and leaves his
imprint Going into his pocket for his
handkerchief Mr.. Pettibone pulls out the
unlucky letter without thinking. He
makes a quick movement to return it to
his pocket. But his perceptive wife is
too quick for him and successfully reach
es for the missive. She studies the SUI
prescription, and declares it is from her
cousin ANA Then she looks closer and
says:
mo, it isn't either, it's from Mrs
Smith. You remember Mrs. Smith,
John, who used to attend our church
when she resided here. Such nice
woman. She said she would write to me
AZ soon as they got settled in their new
home in-in-where is it, now, they have
locatedl7
John remembers the Smith family with
painful distinctness. They traded at tho
store when they were in town and went
away forgetting TO liquidate good-sized
bin for goods He does not know where
they are now, but knows where he wish
es they were.
His wife refers to the postmark to ascer-
tain the name of the town where the
Smiths live The mark is not plain, and
she has to study some time. John be
comes impatient for dinner, and his wife
tells him it is all ready, and bids him &C
and SIT down, and she will be right along
He obevs and she opens the letter, gus
TO see how long 1t is, She chances Al
the signature and finds it is from hei
Aunt Patience. instead of Mrs. Smith
1t consists Of six pages, and Aunt Pa
ii ence writes such lovely letters that shs
csnnot resist the temptation of begin
mig to read it.
By This time John calls fon the dining
room, requesting her to come and pou
the tea and help Johnny to dinner. Sh,
goes 1c her place at the table mechanically
still reading
~Jane, viii you lay aside that letter
moment, and pour the teal
I'm moment, nv dear Aunt Patienc'
is 50 delightfully."- situated this season.
she had little more room she would in
vite US all down to stay MONTH Ism
she kind.n
By this time John gets quite riIed, 81
To speak. and he exclaimed rather sharp
| IL. ssMary JaDe Peffibone, will you drol
that letter long enough to pour cup Q
tea for me
Mrs. Pettibone flares up instsntly
Throwing the letter down. she turns gu
/ the tea and shoves il across the table
saying John Henry Pettibone yon are tn
most unreasonable man | ever saw Yol
ACT as though sen were ID danger Of Dir
ing III 4 moment for want Of tea Hal
of the time you drink water for dinner
and If II were not for interrupting ne
yon would not sslink Of drinking tea fhi
noon. You know / counot eat mea
IsFifh an unread letter ii the house. Your