The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-01-15
Murder Will Out.
BY JENNIE STERLING.

Benjamin Wheeler was the son of cler-
gyman. The ladies called him "splendid
fellow" but we fancy handsome man is
not describable-his points, however, were
eyes and whiskers. They furthermore de-
clared that he looked as if he "came out of
bandbox," Yankeeism for finical neat
uess. The girls petted him, and thus fed
his vanity, until he became conceitcd fop,
and thought himself irresistible.
Falling IN love with every new face which
pleased HIM his conquess, neither few nor
far between, provoked considerable criticism.
His father took him to task for his flirta-
tions, and advised him to fix upon some
one, and settle for life.
Hattie Granger was his last fame.
She was blonde, with dove-like eyes,
plenteous light brown hair, and an exquisite
complexion-a delicate refined girl, whose
perceptions were all nice and somewhat fas-
tidious.
Benjamin suited her. Whether IL was
because he was her opposite, or that his
manner was softened and subdued by the
elevatng influence of pure love; certain
il is, she loved him with fond devotion, such
as belongs to souls like hers, and invested
him with all good qualities, which were but
the reflection Of her own.
Through his fathers influence he succeed
ed in procuring situation as clerk, with a
moderate salary, in large dry goods house,
therefore, as his fathers advice did nos con-
flict with his own wishes, he asked the gem
tie Hattie to be his wife-she gave willing
consent and with halfthe town as witnesses,
handsome Ben and herself entered into q
joint partnership with love and scant in
come ae capital.
Hattie was quite content; a crust of bread
even, shared with Ben, was far preferable to
joints and roasts without hin-she coddled
him and humored his whims 90 that his
friends called him a "spoiled baby y,"-if
they had said disagreeable puppy, they
would have hit the truth much nearer, for
in his own house Ben was an autocrat-it
was big l, number one, but innocent Hattie
didn't see his selfshness and bore his fret
full tempers with sweet equanimity.
Benjamin needed self-asserting woman
just bit selfsh-enough to put him on
his mettle, he didn't appreciate the inestim-
able value of pure, disinterested love,
Hattie wept il he but chided, said yes to his
yes, and no to his no.
Ben was good business mani with his
fluent, oily tongue he could talk people into
buying, therefore the firm of johnson & Co.
gave him the position Of travelling salesman
at an increased salary, together with liber-
al commission; he told his wife in exhuber-
ant spirits that old johnson was trump,
but when he declared that she must break
up housekeeping and board, for he would
not be at home half of bis time, her eounte-
nance fell, and she could only say "oh, Ben
N.Y." in deprecating tone.
"simpleton," he exclaimed, twill you be
reasonable for once. | no sooner tell you Of
my glorious prospects than you whine out
'oh, Benny"
"But, darling, you forget how lonely
shall be during your absence-and then TO
leave our nice, comfortable cottage" she said
weeping violently.
"Hatte, how often must tell you to in
dulge in less gush. Your red eyes and nosO
make you a perfect fright. Just when
have chance to better my condition, Of
course, you begin your usual howl"
Leaving his obedient, fearful wife--who,
to do her justice, tried at least to conceal her
feelings-he started on business tour for
the far West, made q successful, encouraging
venture, and very soon prosperity came 10
him in the way of rapidly increasing orders,
upon which no realized enough to form a
nucleus for future fortune.
Thus five years passed away, his wife be-
coming accustomed, but not more reconeiled
to his frequent absences she grew thin, and
pined for the society of the man who had
crowned her life with loves sweet expert
ences.
She did net perceive that he become in
different, and more eoneeitsd and arrogant
One of his trips, while staying in Chicago
he passed young lady in the street, who
so attracted him, that he followed her, think
ing that of the many handsome women be
had seen, she was the queen.
Edith oonway's beauty fully justified his
opinion Of it.
She was atall, sparkling brunette, stylish
looking, as If born to the purple, aud al.
though eoausttish dimples lurksd In the