Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-05-07
MRS. JONES' ELOPEMENT.

feeling cross and tired Business had
been dull, and the clerks had been pro-
voking. When he felt out of sorts, as he
did that day, nice supper and his wife's
company were the best antidotes he knew
of, and he hoped to have them effect a
cure in this g. instance, as they often had
in others. -. T
But Mrs. Jones was out, the girl said.
She had been busy in her room all the
afternoon; she did not know what she
was doing. About an hour ago she had
put on her bonnet and gone out, and had
charged her to tell her husband that she
would not be hack till late in the even
ing. "Gone out on particular business,
she said," added Bridget. r,
ooh, particular buslness! growled
Mr.. Jones, "I'd like to know what par
ticular business she has2 I should say it
was wife's business to stay at home.
She knew, of:course, that I was coming
home completely tired out, but that
doesn't interfere with her pleasure in the
least. She can enjoy herself just the
same-probably all the more because I
am out of the way. wish knew whera
she'd gone.'' 4
He went up to her room to see if she
had worn some of her oest clothes: .'7
because if she has," reasoned Jones,
"she has gone off to have a good time
with some one she cares more for than
she does for me.' .~-:
Mr.. Jones' brow was blacker than a
thunder cloud at the thought. He was in
precisely that state of mind that makes
mountains out OF molehilis.
But she hadn't worn any of her new
clothes.
ut can't be she's gone to party" con-
cluded Mr.. Jones, "or she'd have rugged
up more. It must be she's gone some
where else, and wants to keep dark. It
begins to look mysterious. A woman
doesn't generally 60 off in this way with
out saying something to her husband,
and wear her old clothes, without its
meaning something, I've observed, said
Mr.. Jones solemnly to Mr.. Jones in the
glass. "pd like to know what it all
means, anyhow ~ ; 20 ,
1t was at this juncture that Mr.. Jones
discovered letter on Mrs Jones' writing
desk. ltis freshly written page, be-
ginning, "Dear Edward"
Mr.. Jones' hair raised on end wher
his eagle eye caught sight of that name.
Could it be that his wife was in the hab-
it Of writing letters : to gentlemen9 Per
haps she had gone to meet one now.
He read the letter through without
STOPPING to take breath from beginning
to end. It ran Us follows:
DEAR EDWARD:-I have read your
very touching appeal over and over, un-
til every word Of it is stamped upon my
heart. 1t has caused me to fight d ter
rible battle with myself. l love you
and there is no use Of me denying. it.
cannot deceive myself, nor you, by so
doing. My duty is to stay with. my
husband, eloathe him-despise him
as such suppose he has claim on me,
in the eyes OF the world, that you have
not. But my darling, love you and 1
have come TO the conclusion to cast my
lot with yours. Twill do as you, wish
me to. I will meet you at the oak. tree
tonight at ten O'Clock. hope shall
And here, at the bottom of the page,
the letter broke off very abruptly. The
other side of the page was blank. ~
. :, "Great Jehosaphat!" that was the
word that broke from Mr., jones' lips
when he finished. 1t was the nearest. to
swearing of any word he INDUCED in.
If ever he telt justified in using it he
I did now. His face was a. sight to be-
hold. 1t was tull of anger and surprise
and complete bewilderment. Is : So.
''She loves him, does shea" he ejaculat-
ed, family, "and I'm tyrant, am II The
wretched Tcreaturel She loathes me and
despises me, does shea I'll show, her, q
thing or two. Let me see-ten o'clock
at the oak tree. I'll be there, my dear,
and I'll teach your dear Edward some.
thing he won 7 forget. I'll go this bless
ed minute and get a couple Of officers
and we'll wait, for you I fancy we'll
surprise you little. Great Jehosaphat
She's actually been deceiylng me all the
time, and letting some other man talk
love to her, and coax her to elope with
hun. Ican't believe il, and yet can,
doubt it, for here it is in her own writ.
ing. wouldn't have believed it if il
wasn't here in black and white; dear me
wonder if I can bear up under the aw,
fpl blow! What will folks saya I shall
be ashamed to meet anybody. Oh, 1t is
awful-awful." S :. i5s
5 MIR. Jones wiped his, face with his
handkerchief, and looked the very pic
ture Of grief. ALA. isstys
35| Mr.. j Jones was SO nstruck all of heap,
to use his own expression, by the terri.
+ Die intelligence that he did not stop t
s, reason over the matter. He never, ono,
Z thought that sdear Edward couldn'. 81
any possibility have received this letter
! since it had not been sent. He onl,
realized that his wife was going to rm
away, and that she was going to NEE
her lover at ten o'clock. ( =. :
.sI'll be there, my lady, " said Mr.. Jones
significantly putting on his oycrcoat, pre-
paratory to setting out in search Of til
proper officers. Urn be there, and II
give dear Edward something he didR'
bargain for. I'll Edward him. GA.
About nine o'clock Mr.. Jones and
couple of officers came up the road stealth
lily and seated themselves behind clum
Of bushes near the place where the tw
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