Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-30
lFrom the CongI egationalistI
COURTING HIS WIFE.

Although Farmer Tucker had long
dreamed of visit to Chautauqua, wher
he actually found himself at that Mecca
of devout excursiunists, early last August,
the brawny man was tempted to doubt
his own identity. The holiday sur
roundings we're wholly unlike anything
to which he was accustomed IN ais prosy
New England home; tAe rich crowded
programme offered was III striking con-
trass to the monotony of farmlife. When
this sOa of toll fist entered the aJI3itOri-
UNI, and saw that rustic amphltheater
crowded with thousands OF people listen
ing brea hlessIy TO the full, sweet tones
of the grand organ, his cramped, selfish
heart was strangely touched and ex-
banded. 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 introduced to the audience
as Ill. John B. Cough.
At this announcamentSamue Tucker
satisfaction was too great to be kept TO
himself, andh said, half aloud to his next
neighbor, "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 lazy gave an amusing little laugh,
but 1t tell unheeded upon the ulsophis-
ticated speaker, whose attention was al
ready caught by the orator.
Mr.. Cough commenced his brief lee
ture With one Of his inimitabie descrlp.
u0ns. The story was of a man who APP
piled for divorce, and was advised by
his eminent lawyer to try the effect OF
making love to his wife as he had done
before N srrying her, instead of resorting
to The measure he had proposed. Ii 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 experiment
had worked like a charm, that Sally
had become as aniabIe ard affectionate
a wife as q man could wish to have.
Mr.. Coughs representation Of the
scene Grew forth prolonged applause;
but Samuel fuckers interest was of too
serious nature to permit Of his Joining
ID the laughter. As if unconscious for
the moment Of the multitude about him
be said II an undertone: ED be will
Ing TO take my oath that wouldn't work
wICh Jane. All [ have to say is that
man. wife was different from mine. I'd
as soon think Of feeding ser1up TO q
mummy IS to begin sparkling again with
her"
1T would seem that this course of rea-
sOning cid not wholly dismiss from the
farmers mind tram Of thoughts and
poselb lities suggested by the lecturer
story. In every treat Of the following
days-at sacred service or popular lee
ture III the museum or by the model OF
the Hoy Land, when listening to a con-
cert OF gazing with throngs upon the
Illuminated fee;-the far away husband
was relentiessly followed by vision OF
har3-Borked Jane, looking upon him
with reproachful eyes. At length he
Quoted MS conscience with the deterDi
nation to prove that his estimate of his
wife was correct. When I 60 back. y
he said to himself, "I'Il 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 l may as well make uF
my mind to it.
On reaching home the resolution was
rot easily carried out. When Mr.
Tucker planned some gaIlaI try towards
his wife, the very though made him fee
so unnatural and foolish that postpone
ment resulted; but the Sabbath offered
an opportunity SO convenient that he
improved 1t.
The farm was nearly a mile from
church, yet Samuel Tucker had fol
years been IN the Sblt 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, tC
find him waiting for her at the close o!
the Bible service. The faintest sus-
picion that he had driven back to the
church Tor her did not cross the good
woman's mind; she supposed he had
business with some of the brethren, and
was besitating whether to walk on as
usual or to suggest waiting for him,
when the farmer called out: g It's jest
as cheap to ride as to walk" Silently
the wife took her seat IL the buggy and
silently they drove home, much to the
husbands satisfaction, for it st emed tC
him a proof of the woman's dull, unap-
preciati7e nature. ''She didn't act
pleased, but was only dazed like, as /
knew she would be" he muttered, as he
went about his IS chores"
At the same time Mr.. Tucker was
conscious of having performed most
praieeworthy act, and felt SO comforta.
BILE that he resolved TO repeat the exper.
iment. So on the following Sabbath
ing, and she mounted the high buggy
yentured to utter half-audihle ''Thank
you" and to ask Samuel If he had beer