The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-07-19
MISCELLANY.
MR.. BIxBY'SBATHING SUIT.

Mr.. Bixbys bathing suit certainly was
very handsome bathing suit, and Mr.. Bixby,
being very handsome man, looked well in
it. It sometimes occurred to Mrs. Bixby
that she would be quite as well pleased if
this were not SO, and if she did not so often
hear of his figuring in the crowd of bathers
who played the mermaid at Splashtown
beach, morning and afternoon.
Mrs Bixby was sure he was not SO fond
of ducking her under the waves. On those
rare occasions when she did Ego in" he al
lowed her to bob up and down, clutching at
the rope for while, and then ask her, very
CURLY, If she g wasn't tired of it 2''
She generally was, to tell the truth I'm
der such circumstances who would not have
beenS Mr.. Bixby was one of those beauty
men who generally snub their relatives, and
keep their charms for society but, besides
this, he bore his wife particular grudge:
She was the niece of seven very old aunts
and uncles, all immensely rich, and all
Every fond of Matilda" But perhaps they
were not as fond of Matilda's husband, for
since her marriage six of them had died
without leaving her penny. With each
demise Mr.. Bixby grew less affectionate
He married me for my expectations, no
doubt, poor Matilda thought to herself, as
she regarded in the mirror a countenance
that had no particularly fine features, and
she, too, thought of the thousands that
might have been hers il she had married
some one more agreeable to her family
She sat ON the porch alone, this pleasant
July day, otter Mr.. Bixby had gone gallant
ly away seward with the little waterproof
satchel in which he carried his bathing-suit
and Turkish Towels, and thought of many
things, and fell into such a deep brown
study that when some one addressed her
with: Your letters, Mrs. Bixby, she
started and gave little cry.
Did I brighten you p said the voice of a
fellow-boarder. 81 didn't know you were
nervous. 1 am dreadfully, but you are
always so composed II is only to give you
your letters. brought them from the
ofice.n
Thank you," said Mrs. Bixby. 81 think
l must have been asleep" and as the other
in her lap There were Eve Of them; one,
letter with black seal. Mrs. Bixby tore
it open. It was as she expected. Her Uncle
Jedidiah, aged ninety, was dead. That was
sad.
Mrs. Bixby took out her handkerchief and
read on Her uncle had left all his money
to the Asylum for Attorneys Orphans. This
was sadder still. The handkerchief was wet
in an instant, and as her tears fell Mr..
Bixby's voice fell on her ear
"pve come back, lilly. 1 promised TO
wait for some one who is going to the beach.
You have letters ?"
Mrs. Bixby wiped her eyes and gave him
those with his name upon their envelopes.
He simply held them, staring at the black
edged paper in her hand.
"How you Like to torment me, Tilly," he
said, at last "What news have You ?"
Uncle is dead, " she answered.
,"Well?
.sHe has left his money to charity"
sobbed Mrs. Bixby.
Mr.. Birby uttered an oath and marched
away.
In the hall of the hotel a lady of fascinat-
ing air, and little penciled lines under her
handsome eyes, met him-probably by ac-
cident. The two went toward the beach
together, talking earnestly.
Certainly, he married me for my expec-
tations, said Mrs. Bixby, and went to her
own room to weep with more freedom. She
did not even go down to dinner that even
ing, and Mr.. Bixby did not come up to ask
why. About midnight there was consterna-
ton in the hotel. Mrs. Bixby was making
inquiries about Mr.. Bixby, and the last seen
Of him was in the water. yarions persons
knew Of his entering it in his handsome
bathing suit. Nobody had seen him come
out. There was great excitement with the
coming dawn. Various young ladies re-
ported him as swimming beautifully at
five O'Clock. He had tried to teach one to
swim.
It was evident that he was drowned. Mrs.
Bixby going from one room into another up
stairs, and calling on her dear, darling,
lovely Augustus to forgive her her coldness-