The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-05-21
JOE HALLS WIFE.

IT write, my dear old chum, for the purpose
of inviting you to visit us" the letter ran
invitation. All, Tom, she is a jewel-my wife
Iknow If you could meet such one you
She ue is the dearest. sweetest, best tempered,
loveliest-the English language fails me here,
but, as you were always better than at the
Unabridged, > 1 beseech OF you TO look therein
for some endeariug adjectives, and complete
the sentence. You, who sang about the fellc-
my happy home will change your tune. You
must come, Tom. won't take a refusal.
Yours, etc., -. "JoE HALL"
Ianswered his letter thus:
MY DEAR JOE: thought when 1 last saw
my peace Of mind or my bones by again
placing myself at the mercy of your internal
must mus promise prom me, SS my dear fellow. You viii
ought to be more dignified, and. If you do play
any of your tricks on me, warn you 1 shall
board the first train for home; ~, @ Yours:
Invent. was met at the tram by Joe's
servant, a man who had a long body,
dressed in long coat, long waistcoat,
long necktie, long hat, long boots, and
whose name was Long. l instinctively
returned the scrutiny. He watched my
every movement like detective would
supposed criminals; watched his move
ment as q timid man would vicious
canine's. His voice in lntonation was In
length comparable to the length of his body;
my voice in length of intonation when
addressing this Iaan was comparable to the
length of the body of Lilliputian.
We at length reached Joe's house. l
anticipated Joes welcome, but in his place
came the loveliest woman l ever beheld.
It is true, as Joe said, was always fluent
in language, but to this day can not, find
words to satisfy me in describing her sur
passing beauty.
that you met her first''
"You are Mr.. Thurston?' she asked,
timidly approaching me, and shyly glancipg
informed her was that parsonage, and in
quired for Joe.
For answer that gentleman himself
jumped up on horseback, sprang from the
saddle, grasped my hand, and, like the ire
pressibIe Joe of old, cried:
"Glad to see you, old boyI Well have
glorious good times as of old. Well hunt,
fish, smoke, etc, till you grow so fat, hale
and hearty that your most intimate
city friends won't know you Come, let's
me for not introducing you, but supposed
you introduced yourself in my absence.
Apropos, it was inhospitable in me to absent
myself on your arrival, but business called
me away"
So, rattling on, Joe ushered us into the
cozIest little parior that ever poor bachelor
was called upon to envy. But the coy
little wife? What was the envy of the
room, with its adornments, TO the envy oil
such wife? Must l admit it'll may a.
well right here as at any future period ol
recital felt strange thrill at my heart.
1t was thrill of exquisite pain-a thrill o
jealousy of Joe's happiness.
stJoe," mentally cried, "be.ter, far better
for me If had declined your invitation"
Presently we had most refreshing sup
per, after which Joe and strolled out for
walk and smoke.
"Joe,n / exclaimed, enthusiastically
ssyour encomiums of your wife we're mer
tied. She is indeed treasure. By Jove. i
/ could find such jewel would never res
till won and married her."
Joe was on the point of lighting his ciga
when / began, but paused with upraiset
match until had finished-and the mattel
burned his fingers. 1 thought for time b.
was angry at my impetuosity, but his fac
cleared away, and the old wicked tw1nkl
that feared so much sprung to his eyes. h
grasped my hand, saying:
you're right, my boy; she's the deares
little wife IN the universe. I'm glad you lik
her."
After we had finished our cigars an
talked for some time of our college days, W
re-entered the house.
Nellie" cried Joe, opening the piano
sfavor Tom and me with tune. He has
passion for music
perhaps, Mr.. Thurston-" began she, bu
was interrupted by Joe.
.sNo. Nellie, Iprotest! No mistering aroun
here. It's plain Tom. Do you hear, Tom
She's to call you Tom, and you're to call ht