Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-26
zee PLEASURES OF THE COUNTRY
The Man With the Watermelon, the
Peaches, and a Wife.

From the Cincinnati Gazette.
He came painting into the car, tremendous
watermelon poised upon his right shoulder, and
held with the greatest difficulty in position with
one hand, while with the other he dragged a
bushel box OF peaches. Quickly throwing his
load into seat, not even pausing to wipe his
feVered brow, down which poured the perspira-
ton in young Niagara, he ran to the car door,
shouting to mild. inofensive young man and
modest maiden dressed in gray, who sat in the
seat just behind the melon:
Eli there. mister don't let any one take that
seat In front of you. I've got to go aud get my
Wife"
The door slammed and he was gone. In a
moment, just as the whistle blew and the first
jerk PREDATORY to starting had made the pas
stn@ers aH suddenly sit back with a violent
Trump. he reappearcd. bearing i'm one hand an
enormous l.;1iS et basket filed with vegetables
WA.le q roll OF butter and a couple of dozen
o! eggs were visible on top With the other
hand he pulled along pale faced woman who
was evidently his wife. and who was bending
beneath the weight of innumerab!e bundles. He
paced the peach box on the top of the stove.
ia!i the melon away III the coal box, barricaded
the way to the water cooler with dry goods and
blocked the aisle with the basket. Then taking
the seat by the window. he told his wife to sit
down. and slowly wiping his face with his hand
kerc..icf, he appeared perfectly happy. By and
by. after deliberately surveying the occupants
of the car he turned his gaze free on the young
couple who We're sitting behind him. AMI re-
marked
Warm ell -
YES. quite warm
''She your wife," with jerk o. the thumb In
the direction of the modest young lady.
Yes"
''When were you married 2"
''rhis morning."
And you are just starting on your bridal
tour? Allow me to congratulate you You are
| happy. Mister. u happy man. Let me shake
your hand again. Going to housekeeping when
/ you come back Got ] house yet -
| MOI" in freezing tones.
| NO? Then. Mister. you are a happy man.
| Free to build your nest where you like. The
! country is the place: there amid flowers and
! trees, by the messy side of some purling
stream. over which the birds sing and the bees
/ hum, and the soft Zephyrs blow laden with
| the summers sweetness, there to rear thy
| humble cot. and in the invigOrating, life-giving
ar to see the children grow fat and rosy.
/ What happiness can be compared TO such a life?
! With natures fruits fresh every day for the
! table. Think of it. Ones table supplied with
the product of ones own garden. that he has
! titled with his own hand. And 50 reasonable
| Never such 4 chance before. Terms Of lots SIS
| down, and the balance in fifteen yearly INSTALL
ments. Can you. ask in all fairness. imagine
| life more delightful? At the close of day to
| escape from the hustle and heat of the city
/ to the rural quiet and GOODNESS of the country
! Look at me, am not the picture of vigorous
| health?"
] The blushing bridegroom admitted that, to
the best of his knowledge he was.
''LOOkat my wife. what more rosy. healthy
| happy image of wOmanho0d could you i'm
| agne:"
! The young man, who was Just starting on
his wedding trip. looked at the pale. over
worked woman in the front seat. but said moth
| ing
Yes sir. the perfect image of health How
could she help it, living as we do far away from
the noise of the busy world. Our house is
mile and half away from the station so the
rattle of the trains never disturb u.s. We are
happy, transcendently happy
us the road to your house muddy in winter
and dusty in summer" mildly inquired the
young man.
at is sir, very. but in the irresistible march of
progress that road will he improved. In twenty
years. say. we will have nice broad sidewalk
and the road macadamized; there Will be neigh
bors in plenty then"
"BO0m-m -m-OTl-yi!' shouted the brake
man.
Here we are. Wife" said the country resi-
dent. as he began to gather up his various be-
l0nglngs. With infinite labor and difficulty the
box OF peaches, the watermelon the market
basket and the multitUdinous packages Of dry
goods We're got together, and staggering under
their load the couple left the car for their mile
and a hall walk home. Just as the man had
| succeeded in wedging himself and box through
| the narrow door he screwed his head around the
watermelon. and, as a sort of benediction to his
remarks, said to the other:
Young man, IL you ever expect to be happy
live in the country"
Julia" whispered the bridegroom when the
train had again started. IF that is sample of
rural bliss. the Lord preserve US from it,"
Amen" she said, fervently.