The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-10-14
HIS FIRST WIFE'S RELATIONS.

Hubert Stickney's choice of second
wife was not generally approved. If
Mr.. Stickney had been an ordinary cit
izen, there would undoubtedly have
been talk enough in regard to the I'M
Stickney was not an ordinary citizen.
He was selectman, surveyor, master of
the Grange, general administrator and
advisor on ali legal, moral and domes-
tic subjects. The Governor himself
could scarcely be more in demand than
this well-informed and high-minded
Vermont farmer. Now for such man
to choose companion from fashionable
city life was inevitably to cast some
doubt on the soundness of his judgment
in the past, and so friends and neigh
bors shook their heads sadly, and told
each other that Stickney's influence was
q 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
of his income. He had pictured the
fine old homestead with the warmth of
one who loves what he is describing.
His intended wife had known Just how
many elms there were in front of the
house, as well as their ages and histo-
ries. The lawn, the orchards. the
mountains, the little lake in the heart
of the woods, she was perfectly &C.
quainted with. In fact, there was moth
ing omitted from the picture but the
human figures occupying the foreground.
These were the first widows relations,
for no one knew better than Mr.. Stick
ney how prominent were the positions
they occupied.
The gentleman's voice did not seem
quite natural when he presented his
wife to the ladies assembled at the
homestead to meet the travellers.
Florence" he said, "allow me.
This is Mrs. Mazonson," presenting the
elderly lady, who certainly did not look
very gracious, "and Miss Maria and
Miss Susan Mazonson," indicating two
ladies of uncertain age, equally stiff and
uncordial.
Miss Susan Mazonson! The young
wife. whose appreciation of the humor-
Gus was very keen, had all she could do
to keep from laughing in the faces of
the unbending trio with the comical
names. 1t was very good of Mr.. Stick
ney to invite friends to meet her, she
told herself. as she pleasantly greeted
her seeming guests. But why had he
selected such funereal-looking party?
At the tea-table Mrs. Stickney, fresh as
a rose in her pretty summer silk and
daintylaces, sat beside her husband. The
elder Mazonson presided at the tea-urn.
This was more inexplicable than the
rest; but perhaps it was the fashion in
Vermont to treat the lady of the house
as guest for time, and SO this insult
was good-naturedly accounted for. The
table, though unexceptionably appoint
ed and covered with every Imaginable
good thing, was waited upon by her
guests. This was doubtless another
act of courtesy, the newcomer told her
self, but the sight of servant would
have been an inexpressible relief. It
was very annoying to be served BY ones
visitors, but this being the fashion she
must make the best Of it. After start
ing numbe1less topics of conversation,
and having them ell fall dead-even her
husband seemed Suddenly struck dumb
Mrs. Stickney was obliged to give up
the contest. How different this was