Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1883-05-31
[From the congiegationalist.l
.COURTING HIS WIFE.

dreamed OF visit to Chautauqua, when
ne actually found himself at that Mecca
OF devout excursionists, early last August.
the brawny man was tempted to doubt
his own identity. The holiday snr-
roundings were wholly unlike anything
to which he was accustomed lii his rrosy
New England home; the rich crowded
programme offered was in striking con-
tras5 to the monotony OF farm life. When
this son of toll first entered the auditor.
um, ana saw that rustic amphitheater
crowded with thousands of people listen.
ing breathlessly to the full, sweet tones
OF the grand organ, his cranped, selssh
heart was strangely touched and ex-
panded. For an Instant the wish crept
IN that he had asked Jane if she would
like to come too. But there was not much
tune Tor his own thoughts, for as the
music ceased white-haired speaker
arose and was introduced to the audience
as NJ. John B. Cough.
At this announcementSamuel fuckers
satisfaction was too great to be kept to
himself, and he said, half aloud to his next
nelghbor, "Well, nowI am beat, to think
I'm going to hear the man I've wanted
to see for more'n twenty years." The
young lady gaze an amusing little laugh,
but 1t fell unheeded upon the unsophis.
ticated speaker, whose attention was al
ready caught by the orator.
Mr.. Cough commenced his brief lee.
tnre with one OF his inimitable descrlp
tlons. The story was of n man who ap-
piled Tor 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
Guided also an account of a later visit
when the happy husband withdrew his
application, and fairly dancing with glee,
assured the lawyer that his experiment.
had worked like charm, that "Sally
had become as amiable and affectionate
wife as q man could wish to have"
MIR. Coughs representation of the
scene drew forth prolonged applause;
but Samuel fuckers Interest was of too
serious nature to permit of his Joining
III the laughter. As if unconscious for
the moment OF the multitude about him
he said In an undertone: "l'd be will
ing to take my oath that wouldn't work
with JaEe. All l have to say is that
mans wife was different from mine. I'd
as soon think of feeding serfup to
mummy us to begin sparkling again with
her."
1t would seem that this course of rea-
sonlng did not wholly dismiss from the
farmers mind Il tram of thoughts and
possibilities suggested by the lecturers
story. In every treat of the following
days--at sacred service or popular lec-
ture in the museum or by the model of
the Holy Land, when listening to con-
cert or gazing with throngs upon the
Illuminated heet-the far away husband
was relentlessly followed by vision of
hard-worked Jane, looking upon him
with reproachful eyes. At length he
quieted his conscience with the determi.
nation to prove that his estimate of his
wife was correct "When | 60 back"
he said to himself, "I'll 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 obstinate,
and suppose | may as well make up
my mind to it."
On reaching home the resolution was
not easily carried out. When Mr..
Tucker planned some gal,aptry towards
his wife, the very thought made him feel
81 uuhtlului uua lOOliSli b!ldb DOSGpOue-
ment resulted; but the Sabbath 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 Sabbath school,
and then walk home as best she could,
through mud or dust. Great was Mrs.
fuckers astonishment, therefore, on the
Sabbath after her husbands return, to
find him waitieg for her at the close of
the Bible service. The faintest sus-
picion thai he had driven back to the
church for her.did not CROSS the good
womans mind; she supposed he had
business with some of the brethren, and
was hesitating whether to walk on as
usual or to suggest waiting for him,
mnen the farmer called OUT Its Jest
IA cheap to ride as to walk" Silently
tho wife took her seat in the buggy and
,ilently they drove home, much to the
husbands satisfaction, for it seemed to
him proof OF the woman's dull, unap-
preciatlve nature. She didn't act
pleased, but was only dazed like, as L
knew she would be-" he muttered, us he
went about his chores.'
AT the same time Mr.. Tucker was
conscious Of baving performed most
praiseworthy act, and felt so comforta-
BILE that he resolved to repeat tile exper-
iment. So Oh the following Sabbath
Jane again found her husband in wait
ing, and a. she mounted the high buggy
ventured to utter half-audible "Thank
you," aud to ask Samuel if he had been
waiting long. To which Mr.. Tucker re-
piled that he had just reached the
church, and did know but he might find
she had started on foot. This reply
seemed to Jane a positive assurance that
her husband had really returned for the
sole purpose of taking her home; and
her chilled heart glowed with warmth
unknown for years. She longed to tell
her husband how much she appreciated
his trouble, but Imagined il would dsound
$50 foolish" that she kept her pleasure
to herself.
The third Sabbath was rainy, and as
she washed the breakfast dishes Mrs.
Tucker kept thinking, 81 wonder if
Samuel means to come for me this noon;
it would be such help in the rain; I'm
half mind to ask him." This Tesolu-
ton was soon stifled, however, with the
:easoningwhich had silenced many similar
resolves in the past ten years. "No,
won't ask no favore; if he don't think
enough ofmeto come, why, he needn't"
Although proudly unwilling to seek any
attentions, Jane longed for some demon-
stration Of her husband s love aud care.
She had walked home in the ram too
often greatly to dread snch exposure, bnt
week befo1Itks wife mad tasted the
Joy of being considered, and longed for
some new and further proofof her com
pauiDn's affection.
airs. fuckers heart leaped for JOY
when, at noon, she saw the old mares