The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-04-07
SELECT STORY.
A Telegraphic Error.

December and May, in the persons of
| Mr.. Josiah Blend and Miss Barbara Paul,
were united some hlf dozen years ago in
h)y bonds of matrimony. People who
knew them both were much amazed at the
ollNlce; for the refiled and ladylikc Miss
Paul lad she waited might have had
something younger and handsomer than
the venerable, ancient and many wrinkled
Josiah.
Being successful Glasgow merchant, the
aged Josiah was rich and naturally their
ncquaintances concluded that his money
was the chief attraction Perhaps it was
1t is not for us TO impnte motives either
good or bad; but there were not lackng
| prophets enough, even in the small circle
Of their personal friends who ventured to
foretel short, sharp, and decisive mar
iiage campaign, in which the young wife
would punish the old man, and finally come
out of the conflict, under the shelter of q
judicial separation, with spoils sufficient
to maintain her in IL competency for the
remainder of her natural life.
They proved false prophets. Whether
money was at the DO tom of it or not, the
pair lived as happily and as lovingly as any
two lovers could hope to do. This was SO
till certain year. when two different cir
cumstances consp.rod to bring matters to
such IL crisis, tina. the judicial separation
seemed inevitable.
Josiah was on the whole an inoffensive
old fellow but when his usually sluggish
temper was once quickened into action, he
was prone to let it carry him to such an ex-
treme length that no one could defend him.
Barbara was patient to fault, and tended
him with q loving and faithful devotion ad-
mirable in one SO young. The two unhappy
causes which threatened for the time being
to end their married life, were very dis
similar in themselves, though in the end
they got somewhat mixed up. They were
-Barbara's cousin, Charlie Robinson, and a
telegram.
Barbara" said the antique Josiah one
morning. at the breakfast table, 81 wish
that cousin of yours - Dear Charlie as
you call him-would not come here so often
and monopolize SO much of your time"
~ do not think he does take up much OF
my time" responded his wife, in a mildly
surprised tone. "But I do not see very
well how l could prevent him coming, unless
/ shut the door in his face"
"You might do worse" growled Josiah
ga great deal worse. l hate him, with his
pretensions, his stuck-up airs, his general
humbug, Why, | heard him call you his
dear Babs last night, when he wanted
you to sing with him."
"You are not jealous :" laughed Barbara
reproachfully; "surely not That is the
name he called me by when we were chill
dren. But I'll tell him that you dislike it,
and no doubt he'll desist"
d" You would do better to tell him not to
come at all, as his company is not wanted.
overheard him say last night to that emp.
ty-hoaded chum of his that l was an old fos-
sill Worse still, he said, That old fogy,
Blend, has pile of cash but lie is mis-
erable old skiniiint, and won't part with it,
That was gratitude for you, after finishing a
couple of bottles Of my old Burgundy and
smoking half n dozen of my finest cigars.
He is an impudent scamp"
"There surely must be some mistake, ,"
urged his wife. Charlie would never say
that
lie did, though, retorted Josiah, an
grily-" Pm quite certain, Better tell him
never TO come here again.
II would rather not if it please you, "
reasonably replied his wife; sit would be
very unnatural for me to do So"
"You consider it more natural that |
should be abused in my own house! " cried
Josiah, now at white heat Gam /
to understand you positively refuse to do
so?
"Well, do not refuse, replied Barbara,
with considerable tact, going over and kiss
ing him afIecionately on the cheek l do
not absolutely refuse, but I most respect
fully decline
Josiah was forced to smile at his wife's
equiyocation, and resolved to do the thing
himself. He did it neatly, too. He wrote
w NihNiilN' Ntgiib Nhit III ~ MblllNl Dt
esteemed a favor if, at any time he intended
calling, he would 81 send intmation of his
intention beforehand, to prevent disappoint-
ment" Charlie took the hint, and did not
call again.
few months after this, Josiah caught q
slight cold, and got otherwise out of sorts,
SO that the doctor ordered him to 90 down
to the Clyde, for change Of air. 1t SO fell
out that Barb0m's mother took seriously
i'll at the same tme and as Barbara was
an only daughter, she had to remain at
her mothers bedside, and permit her
husband to so away alone, of course, on
the understanding, that when her mother
got better, she would at once hasten to her
good man.
Josiah went to certain town on the
coast which we shall call L., and en-.
gagged rooms with his old friend, Mrs.
Meikle, During the first week, he did not
improve, though Mrs, Meikle was very at
tentiye. Several letters passed between
man and wife, 80 that Barbara was advised
as to his condition, and not little anxious
about him but her mother was still dan
gerously i'll. Next week, her mother rallied,
but Josiah got worse. At last he had Sc.
we're bilious attack, and was confined to bed,
so that the presence of his wife was im-
peralvely necessary. He instructed Mrs
Meikle to telegraph for heri and this was
the telegram which was delivered to his
wife
-, Mrs. MEIKLE, l., To MRs BLEND,
Wood6um House, Glasgow - Your husband
Is dead Come down at once.n
Great CONSERVATION was the result. On
the previous day Mrs. Blend had received a