The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-09-24
HIS FIRST WIFES RELATIONS

From Hoiycr'S Bd:"r.
Hubert Stickney'S choice of Il Secont
wife was not generally approved. II Mr.
Sticllney had been an ordinary citizen
there would undoubtedly have been tall
enough III regard to the unSllitahlenes:
of the match: but Mr. Stickney was no
an ordinary citizen. He was selcctman
surveyor. master of the grange, genera
administrator and adviser on all legal
moral, and domestic subjects. The gov
ernor himself could scarcely be more ii
demand than this well informed and ligl
minded Vermont farmer. Now for Suci
Il man to choose a companion from fash
ionable city life was inevitably to cast
some doubt on the soundnesS of bis iudg
ment in the past and so friends anC
neighbors shook their heads sadly, anc
told each other that StickncyS influence
was thing Of the past.
Now this gentleman. honorable as he
had certainly proved himself in every
department OF life. had not been quite
frank with his lady love He had told
her with some pride the exact amount o.
his income He had pictured the fine
old homestead with the warmth of one
who loves what he is describing. Iii:
intended wife had known lust how many
clms there were in front of the house, as
we'll us their ages and histories. The
lawn. the orchards. the mountains, the
little lake in the heart of the woods. she
was perfectly acquainted with. In fact
there WAS nothing omitted from the pie
ture but the human figures Occupying
the foreground. These We're the first
wife relations and 10 one knew better
than Mr.. Stirkney how prominent were
the positions they occupied.
The gentleman's voice did not seem
quite natural when he presented his wifi,
to the ladies assembled at the homestead
to meet the travellers.
Florence. he said. allow me. Thi.
is Mrs. MaZons"n. presenting the elder
Iy lady. who certainly did not look very
gracious. and Miss Maria and Miss
Susan Mazonson, indicating two Ladies
Of uncertain age. equally stiff and I'M
cordial.
Miss Susan Mazonson. The young
wife, whose appreciation of the humor
Gus was very keen, had all she could &c
to keep from laughing in the faces of tn,
uubeuding trio with the cOmical names
1t was very good of Mr.. Stickney to in
vite friends to meet her, she told herself
as she pleasantly greeted her seeming
guests. But why had he selected such ;
funeral looking party At the tea tabl,
Mrs. Stickney, fresh as rose in her pref
ty Summer silk and dainty aces. sat be
side her husband. The elder Mazonsol
presided at the tea urn. This was NOR,
incxplicahle than the rest: but perhaps
it was the fashion i'll ermont to trea
the lady of the house as Il guest for
time and so this insult was good-natured
" accounted for. The table. though un
exceptionally appointed. and covered
with every Imaginable good thing, wa:
waited upon by her guests. This wa:
doubtless another act Of courtesy, tn,
new conner told herself but the sight o
servant would have been an incxpressi
BILE relief. 1t was very annoying to be
served by one 5 visitors. but this being
the fashion, she must make the best o
it. After starting numerous topics O
conversation, and having them all fal
IN struck dumh-MrS. Sticllney wa:
obliged to give up the contest. How
different this was from the home comm!
she had SO lovingly anticipated, Sucl
good Jolly times as they had all through
their six weeks wedding tour, and now
i'll 1.-THE ling Of an eye. cverythin.
had changed. OF seemed to change. O
course it was ali seeming. the young wifi
told herself. hut it was surely very dis
agreeable After the wretched meal wa:
over. Mrs. Stickncy. almost ready to cry
invited her husband to take walk. bu
here was Mrs. Mazonson at his elbow.
" Hiram had To 90 away this noon,
She said so | suppose you'll have II
milk Hubert.
Mrs. MaZons0n was very tall, very thin
l.,
ably deep and hollow that Mrs. Stickne J
could not rid herself of the notion tina
it belonged to somebody else The city
bred young lady knew cows had to b.
! MIXED. but she had never associated he
husband with the one that performed thu
operatiOn and now turned an astonishe,
face to that gentleman and the assemble
MaZonSonS.
. 1t must be fun to milk, she remark
ed. determined to put the best possible
face on affairs. "I'll 60 and see you"
Not in that dress. hope, said Mrs
! Mazonson. as Mr.. Stickney left the room
Il was going IL say. 4 little while ago,
She went on, that seeing as you wa
dressed up, you necdn' mind about th'
dishes.'
The dishes What in the world ,lir
this dreadful woman mean? Before sh,
had time to inquire. her tormentor ha'
left the room; and now. more pcYplexet
than ever. Mrs. Stickney went in Searci
of her husband. She found him at las
in the barn yard, and i'll the eXcitcmcn
of new sensation almost forgot the dis
agreeable things that had preceded it
In a dilapidated straw hat, patched coat
and blue oycrallS, she did not at first rec
ognize her husband: but when she die!
! she clapped her hands like child, an,
| laughed as merry a laugh as was eve
| heard on the Sticknuy farm.