Milford chronicle., 1883-02-02
Farmer Tucker C0ITS Ellis Wife

90
Although Farther Tucker had ,2qeg
dreamed Of a visit to Chautauqua, when
lie actually found himself at that Mecca
of devout excursionists, early last Au-
gust, the brawny man was tempted to
doubt his own identity. The holiday
surroundings were wholly unlike any
thing to which he was accustomed in his
prosy New England home; the rich,
crowded programme offered was in strill-
ing contrast to the monotony of farm
life. When this son Of toll first entered
the auditorium, and saw that rustic ann
phitheatre crowded with thousands Of
people listening breathlessly to the full,
sweet 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, a
white haired speaker arose, and was in
troduced to the audience as Mr.. john
B. Cough.
At this announcement Samuel fuckers
satisfaction was too great to be kept to
himself, and he said, half aloud to his
next neighbor:
"Well, now, I am beat, to think I'm
going to hear the man I've wanted to
see for more'n twenty years.
The young lady gave an amused little
laugh, but it fell unheeded upon the nm
sophisticated speaker whose attention
was already caught by the orator.
Mr. Cough commenced his brief lee
ture with one of his inimitable descrip-
tions. The story was of man who ap-
piled for a divorce, and was advised by
his eminent lawyer to try the effect of
making love to his wife as he had done
before marrying her, instead of resorting
to the measure he had proposed. 1t in
cluded also an account of later visit
when the happy husband Withdrew his
application, and, fairly dancing with
glee, assured the lawyer that his expert
ment had worked like a charm, that
"Sally had become as amiable and affec-
tionate wife as a man could wish to
have.
Mr.. Coughs representation of the |
scene drew forth prolonged applause
but Samuel fuckers interest was of too
serious a nature to permit of his joining
in the laughter As if unconscious for
the moment of the multitude about him
he said in an undertone "Id be will
ing to take my oath that wouldn't work
with Jane. All 1 have to say is that
mans wife was different from mine. Id
as soon think of feeding serrup to a
as to begin sparkling again with
her"
II would seem that this course Of
reasoning did not wholly dismiss from
he farmers mind train Of thoughts
md possibilities suggested by the
story. In every treat of the
ollowing days-at sacred service or
popular lecture in the museum or by the
model of the Holy Land when listening
o concert or gazing with throngs
lpon the illuminated feet-the far away
was relentlessly followed by
,ision of hard-worked Jane, looking
lpon him with reproaehful eyes.
At length he quieted his conscience
With the determination toprove that his es- {
innate of his wife was correct. "When Igo
,ack, he said to himself, ''Tll just show
he woman some little attentions, and I'll J
ee they won't have no more effect on her 1
han they would on the old bay mare.
lanes bound to be sullen and obstinate, {
nd I suppose may as well make up my ]
mind to it. /" {
On reaching home the resolution was =
ot easily carried ont.