Democratic messenger., 1881-10-01
His FIRST WIFE'S RELATIONS.

Hubert Stickney's choice of q second
wife was not generally approved. II
Mr.. Stickney had been an ordinary citi-
zen, there would undoubtedly have been
talk enough in regard to the unsuitable.
ness of the match but Mr.. Stickney
was not an ordinary citizen. H was
selectman, surveyor, master OF the
Grange, general administrator and ad
wiser on all legal, moral aud domestic
subjects. The Governor himself could
scarcely be more in demand than this
well-informed and high-minded Vermont
farmer. Now for such a 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 neighbors shook
their heads sadly, and told each other
that Stickney's 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
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 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
picture but the human figures occupying
the foreground. These were his first
wife's relations, and no one knew better
than Mr.. Stickney 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 home
stead to meet the travellers.
Florence" he said, "allow me.
This is Mrs. Mazonson," presenting the
elderly lady. who certainly diG 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 a funeral-looking party ?
At the ea-table, Mrs. Stickney. fresh
as rose in her pretty summer silk and
dainty laces, 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 a guest for time, and so this
insult was good-naturedly accounted for
The table, though unexceptionalIy ap-
pointed, and covered with every imagin-
able good thing, was waited upon by
her guests. This was doubtless another
act of courtesy, the newcomer told her
self, but the sight of a servant would
have been an inexpressible relief. 1t
was very annoying to be served by ones
visitors, but this being the fashion, she
must make the best of it, After start
ing numerous topics of conversation,
and having them all fall dead-even her
husband seemed suddenly struck dumb
Mrs. Stickney was obliged to give up
the contest. How different was this
from the Homecoming she had so low
lngly anticipated Such good jolly
times as they had had all through their
six weeks wedding tonr, and now, in
the twinkling of an eye," everything
had changed, or seemed to change. OF
course it was all seeming, the young
wife told herself, but it was surely very
disagreeable. After the wretched meal
was over, Mrs. Stickr sy, almost ready
to cry, invited her husband to take a
walk, but here was Mrs. Mazonson al
his elbow.
+" Hiram had to go away this noon, u
she said, $50 / suppose you'll have to
milk, Hubert"
Mrs. Mazonson was very tall, very
thia, very dark, and her voice was SC
unutterably deep and hollow that Mrs.
Stickney could not rid herself of the
notion that it belonged to somebody