The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-10-20

ed he was taken cher home. There
he became entirely we'll BY his pa
thence and gentleness he won the
hearts Of every one-except the girls.
Hers was won already.
Time slipped away. Hardy was
established in business by the CRATE.
full father. Poor old Tarantula Joe,
who, unaccountably, seemed to be a
great favorite with the young man,
was allowed to sit in the kitchen on
the night Of the wedding Of sophro-
MIA Morris to John Hardy-a brill
liant affair, by the way.
4 x x Il
A few months ago Hardy was read
ing the morning paper, when a
bright ray of sunshine came in
through the door. 1t was Hardy's
wife, the happiest and proudest wo-
man on the Alameda.
"My DEAR he said, shave we lived
happy these two years?"
"Why, John-what question:"
"And you have never regretted the
persistence Of a seedy stranger on
Santa Clara street two years and a
half ago?'
~ regretnothing, John, and you
know it. / didn't know what life
was until | met you. But, oh! that
was terrible night, wasn't it John?"
"Awfulp he calculated, with a
broad look Of mischief in his eyes.
"What makes you look that way,
John? You are so provoking2"
II am villain, dear"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the robbers?"
81 think | do! They nearly killed
you!"
sThey were friends ofmine, dear"
"John!" she exclaimed, stunned.
Absolutely true. Old Tarantula
Joe and l put up the job, so that 1
could clean 'em out, become q hero,
and then marry you"
g||
She stared at him, astonished,
shocked and incredulous.
"John!"
sits fact" he said, laughing, as
he saw her anger rising.
She was utterly stupefed. Then
a quick light came into her eyes,
She kew he was joking.
aYou are fooling me, John. You
know that horrid club nearly killed
you"
sit was made of paper" he ex,
planned, still laughing.
A gloom again stole into her face,
but it was immediately dispelled
by another recollection.
"But your face was really bloody"
"Joe got that for me at the slaugh.
ter-house."
She was thoroughly puzzled, not
knowing what to think.
"But, John, those were real hurts
on your head and face. l saw them
myself. There, now!"
"Yes; and can't you imagine how
l received them?"
She thought she had cornered him
but the look Of confidence in his face
disheartened her.
"Well, how, them" she aked, petu.
liant and despairing.
"Yeu remember the fellow | pitch.
ed into the mud?"
"Yes-well what?"
when l went back to Join the
boys and have q good laugh over the
affair, and to report progress, this
fellow met me, mad as a Turk for
spelling his clothes and nearly break.
ing his neck. You see, it wasn't on the
programme for me to pitch him over
That was going it a little too strong
but | couldn't resist the temptation
Tarantula Joe said I'd have to fight
him, as | hadn't done the square
thing We went at it, and he gave
me the worst licking mortal eyel
had. O'
This was really so rich that the
young wife made the house ring with
her laughter.
"1'm glad he did-you mean old
thing | wish he had beaten Won
half to death! ha! hal ha! So YOU
wouldn't come into the house because
you had no wounds, eh?"
Precisely"
"And after you did get that thrash
ing you turned it to account BY get
ting our doctor, SUPPOSED"
WThof'c tba ;Joo -