The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-03-09
3fliscrl laueums.
Samuel fuckers Second Wooing.

Although farmer Tucker had long dreamed
of visit to Chautauqua, when he actually
found himself at the Mecca of devout cxcur-
sionsts, early last August, the brawny man
was tempted to'doubt his own identity. The
holiday surroundings were wholly unlike
anything to which he was accustomed in his
prosy New England home the itch, crowded
programme offered was in striking contrast
to the dull monotony of farm life. When
this son of toll first entered the auditorium,
and saw that rustic amphitheatre crowded
with thousands of people listening GREATNESS
ly to the full tones of the grand organ, his
cramped selfish heart was strangely touched
and expanded. For an instant the wish
crept in that he had asked Jane if she would
like to come too. But there was not much
time for his own thoughts, for as the music
ceased white haired speaker arose and was
introduced to the audience as Mr.. John B.
Cough
At this announcement Samuel fuckers
satisfaction was too great to be kept to him
self, and he said half aloud, to his next notch.
Dor, "Wcll, now, | am beat to think I'm
going to hear the man I've wanted to see
more'n twenty years" The young lady gave
an amused little laugh, but it fell unheeded
upon the unsophisiicated speaker, whose
attenSion was already caught by the orator.
Mr. Cough commenced his briet lecture
with one of his inimitable descriptions. The
story was of man who had applied for di.
vorce, and was advised by his eminent lawyer
to try the effect of making love to his wife rs
he had done before marrying her, instead OF
resorting to the measure he had proposed
1t included also an account of a later visit
when the happy husband withdrew his
application, and fairly danced with glee,
assured the lawyer that his experiment had
worked like charm, that "Snlly had become
as amiable and atiectionate Il wife MS II man
| could ask to have
Mr.. Coughs representation of the scene
drew forth prolonged applause; but Samuel
! fuckers interest was of too serious a nature
| to permit his joining in the laughter. AS if
| unconscious ofthe movement of the multitude
about him, ne said in an undertone I'D be
willing to take my oath that wouldn't work
| with Jane. All | have TO say is that mans
| wife is different from mine; I'd as soon think
of feeding syrup to mummy as to begin
| sparkling again with her"
1t would seem that this course of reasoning
| did not wholly dismiss from the farmers
| mind train Of thoughts and possibilities
suggested by the lecturers story. In every
treat of the following days--at sacred service
or popular lecture, in the museum or by the
| model of the Holy Land, when listening to a
concert or gazing with throngs upon the il
| Illuminated fleet, the far,away husband was
relentlessly followed by q vision of hard
| worked Jane, looking upon him with re
proachful eyes. At length he quoted his
conscience with the determination to prove
that his estimate of his wife was correct
| "When go back" he said to himself "rl
| Just show the woman some little attentions
and I'll see they won't have no more effect
on her than they would on the old bay mare
James bound to be sullen and obstinate, and
suppose | may as well make up my mind to
it,"
On reaching home the resolution was moi
easily carried out. When Mr. Tucker plann
| ed some gallantry toward his wife, the very
| thought made him feel So unnatural and fool
sh that postponement resulted but the Sab
bath offered an opportunity so convenient
that he improved it.
The farm was nearly mile from church
yet Samuel Tucker had for years been in the
habit of driving back alone after the forenoon
service, leaving his wife to attend the Sab
bath School, and then walk home rs best she
could through mud or dust. Great was Mrs
fuckers establishment, therefore, on the
Sabbath after her husbands return, to find
him waiting for her at the close of the Bible
service. The faintest suspicion that he had
| driven back to the church for her did moi
cross the good woman's mind; she supposed
| he had business with some of the brethren
and was hesitating whether to walk on ms
usual or suggest waiting for him, when the
farmer called out: "It's just as cheap tc
ride as to walk" Silently the wife took hel
seat in the buggy, and silently they drove
home, much to the husbands satisfaction, fol-
it seemed to him proof of the woman's dull
unappreciative nature. "She didn't aci
pleased, but was only dazed like, as knew
she would be-" he muttered rs he went about
his "chores."
At the same time Mr. Tucker was con
scious of having performed Il most praise
worthy act, and felt so comfortable that ht
resolved to repeat the experiment. So on the
| following Sabbath Jane again found hel
husband in waiting, and rs she mounted tho
high buggy ventured to utter n halfaudible
THANK YOU" and to ask Samuel if he lat
been waiting long. To which Mr.. Tucker
replied he had just reached the church, ant
didn't know but he might find she had startet
on foot. This reply seemed to Jane posi-
tive assurance that her husband had really
returned for the sole purpose of taking hel
home; and her chilled heart glowed with
warmth unknown for years She longed Il
tell her husband how much she appreciated
his trouble, but imagined it would sound "st
foolish" that she kept her pleasure to herself
The third Sabbath was rainy, and as sht
washed the breakfast dishes Mrs. Tucker KEEP
thinking, 81 wonder if Samuel means Il
come for me this noon; it would be such ,
help in the rain; I'm halfa mind to ask him.
ornc xpup SfittnI hnlyauar