The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-03-02

The visitor was the worst pOSsibl
one she could have under the cir
cumstances. CroWding herself OF
, terms of the very closest intimacy
with her husband, had moved int
the village q twelvemonth previous
Miss Elvira Simmons had made the
very most Of her opportunities, and
by dint Of great parade over help
ing her in some domestic work, such
as house cleaning, dress-making and
the like, the maiden lady had man
aged TO ply her other vocation, that
Of newsgatherer, at one and the
same time, pretty effectively.
She always called her by her
name, though Betty only resented
| it, and she made great handle of
her friendship on every occasion,
which made John rage violently and
VOW a thousand times that the sold
maid" should walk.
But she never had, and now,
scenting dimly, like a Oarrion crow
after its prey, that trouble might
have come into the pretty little
white house, the make-mischiof had
come to her work, if devastation
had really commenced.
"Been crying?' she said, more
plainly than politely, and sinking
down into the pretty chintz-
rocking chair, with an energy that
showed she meant to stay, and
made her chair creak fearfully.
"Only folks do say that you and
your husband don't live happy-but
la ! / wouldn't mind. / know
taint your fault"
Betty's heart stood still. Had il
come to this ? John and she not
live happily To be sure they
didn't t, and she remembered with a
pang the dreadful scene of words
and hot tempers but had it gotten |
around so sOOn-a story in every
bodys mouth.
With all her distress Of mind she |
was saved from opening her mouth.
So Miss Simmons, falling in that,
was forced to 90 on.
"An' l tell folks so" she said, |
rocking herself back and forth TO
witness the effect of her words,
'when they get to talkin' you can't
blame me fittings don't go easy for
you, I'm sure"
"You tell folks 30 r. repeated Bet
ty, vaguely, and standing quite still.
"What / don't understand"
"%hy, that the blame is all his'n, ;"
cried the old maid, exaspcratsd at
her strange mood and dullness. Il |
say" said /, why there couldn't no
one live with him, let alone that
pretty wife he's got That's what
say, Betty, and then ] tell EN- what
a queer man he is, how cross, an"
"And you dare to tell people such
things of my husband ?" cried Betty,
drawing herself up to her EXTREMIST
highth, and towering so over the
old woman in the chair, as sshej jump
ed in confusion 1t the storm she
had raised, and stared blindly into
the blazing eyes and face rosy with
righteous indignation, her only
thought being how to get away
from the storm she had raised but
could not stop. But she was forced
to stay, for Betty stood just in front
of the chair and blocked up the way,
so she skunk back into the smallest
corner of it, and took it as best she
dould.
My husbandl" cried Betty, |
dwelling with pride on the pronoun
- at least, if they we're to part,
she would say it over lovingly as
much AZ she could till the last mo
ment; and then, when the time did
come, why people should know it
wasn't Johns fault-''the best, the
the nOblest husband that
was ever giving to . woman. I've
made him more truble than you can
guess my hot temper has veKed
him I've been cross, impatient,
and,
"Hold !" cried q voice, "you are
.allIing against my wife !" and in =
big John Peabody rushed
through the door, grasping the little
woman in his arms, and folded her
o his heart, before the old maid and {
I'll.
"Oh |" said Miss Simmons, sitting
ip straight and fitting herspectacles
more firmly.
"And now that you have learned /
III that you can, said John, turning
.round to her, still holding Betty,
why you may CO."
The chair was vacant A dis
diving view through the door was
III that was to be seen of the gossip,
Who started up the road hurriedly !
eaving peace behind
''Betty," said John, some half :
lour afterward, "what was that
Ugh for? / don't care now, but / {
I'D think, dear, and it cut me TO the
leart, how you might have married I
icher. l longed to put ten times
en- in your hand, Betty and il I
allied me because l couldn't.
Betty smiled and twisted away I
rom his grasp. Running into the
she returned, still smiling,
nth a bundle rolled up in a clean :
owel.
This she put on her husbands !
nee, who started at it wonderingly
II didn't mean" she said, unpin- Q
ing the bundle, "tO let it out now, I
ut shall have to. Why, John, I
ay after tomorrow is your birth
ay r.
$50 it is" said John. "Grscious,
as it come around so soon ?" n
"And you, dear boy" said Betty,
haking out before his eyes a pretty
,rown affair, all edged out with
ilk of the bluest shade, thatpresent-
Y assumed the proportions Of a
ressing gown-"this is TO be your :
resent. But you must be dread !.
ally surprised, John, whom you get y
g. ~ IT dsInf ,rror,A v~nv, 20 / II