South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-06-03


bottom came out. But the worst was
to see my husband eonsortin' with
such scum of the earth as that mis-,
cradle, lowlived Hank Slater. l tell
You, squire, was mad. / Just hung
that kitchen door wide open, and
sez L:
Get out of this house, Josiah Gould,
and don't ever let me sec your face
inside ont again
'Sez he, meek as Moses: .Where
shall l go to, Nabby 2
'Sez /, Il don't care where YOU 90
to, SO longs you don't come near me.
I've always been respectable woman,
and don't want none of Hank Sla-
ter's friends round my house,
well 2 queried the squire, as Nab
by's narrative came to a pause.
well, said Nabby, in rather sub
dued tone, 'he went off. And he
hasn't come back. Aud L want a
divorce
Now, Nabby,' demonstrated the
ofd squire, you don't want divorce.
L know you better than that. You
are not the woman to give Josiah uo
and let him go to the bad without a
struggle. You feel a little vexed
with him now, and don't blame YOU.
It's hard-very hard. But YOU know
you took him Ior better, for worse
Do you think, yourself, it's quite right
to break your contract because it
proves the worst for you-because YOU
are the strong one aud he the weak
one of the two? That doesn't strike
me rs good Bible doctrine, Nabby.-
I'VE that are strong ought to bear the
intirmities Of the weak and not to
please ourselves, you know
well, / Dunno said Nabbv, twist
ing the corner of her shawl, dubious.
ly, Il hadn't thought ont in that light.
| must say. It's so aggravatin' to
have such u man for husband Be
sides, | dunno's he'd come back if
wanted him to-
Hasn't he been back at all p
why, yes, he came back once for
n pair OF pantaloons. But | didn't
take no notice of him.
Now, Nabby, you may depend up
on it, it wasn't the pantaloons he was
after. He wanted to see if YOU
wouldn't relent. If lie comes again
be little pleasant to him, ard I'll
warrant he will stay. Give him
another chance, Nabby. Josiah isn't
the worst fellow IN the world. bv any
means. lie has his redeemine traits.
after ALL l believe he will do better
if you will try to help him. You
know that Josiah is one that bears
encouragement, Nabby.'
well, squire, I'll think it over
Anyhow, I'm obleeged to you. You
talk so-sorter comfortin' TO a BODY
Your mothers own son; just the same
good heart. Would you be able to
eat some OF my cheese, squire p
Try me and see, Nabby,' said the
squire, smilingly, not impervious to
Nabby's compliments. Nabby made
her exit just as Mrs. IIosIey rushed in
full of wifely indignation that the
squire had been allowed 10 see Il client.
Nabby's home was ut the Corners
three miles from the village. She
walked rapidly along in the fast
thickening darkness, with the steady
strong gait becoming the selr-roliant
woman that she was. Yet even her
unlmaginativc nature was not proof
against the depressing influence Of the
chilly, raw November evening. The
wind whistled through the bare tree
branches, which creaIied and eroaned
mournfully, and waved wildly in the
dim light overhead. The wind seem
ed to cherish a special spite against
Nabby. 1t blew her bonnet OF and
her hair into her eyes, struggled mad
ly with her for her shawl, took her
breath away and firmly resisted every
step. Finally it began to send spite
tul rain drops in her face-rain that
seemed to freeze as it fell.
Josiah used to come after me with
an umbrella when / was caught out
III the rain thought Nabby. lie
was always real kind and good to me
after all. l dunno's lie ever gave me
a cross word in lis life, even when he's
been drinking
Here the driving slecty rain, and
! piercing wind pouuced down upon
Nabby with renewed fierceness. Lusls
ling her madly in fcndish glcc.
AN awful night to be homeless
Nabby,' something seemed TO say.
q don't care said Na5by TO her
self, beginning to feel cross again, and
generally ill-uscd as she grew wetter
and colder.
III serves him right. Hes made
his bed and he can lie i'm it,
| At the Corners the light stream.
ing out cheerfully into the night from
other homes made Nabby's little
house particularly gloomy aud min
wiling. Nabby fumblcd under the
mat for the door-!iey, fumblcd with
stiff fingers for the key-holc, and final
ly succeeded in unlocking tho door.