Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-02-20
SAMUEL fuckers SECOND WOO
ING.

Although Farmer Tucker had Ions
dreamed Of visit TO Chatauqua, when
he actually found himself at that Mecca
Of deyout excursionis,s, early last Au.
gust. the brawny man was tempted to
doubt bis 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 strik'
ing contrast TO the dull monotony Of farm
life. When this son of toll first entered
the Auditorium, and saw that rustic am
phi,heatre 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
whi,e-haired speaker arose and was in
troduced to the audience as Mr.. John b.
Cough.
AT this announcement Samuel Tuck
er's satisfaction was too great to be
kept to himself. and he said, half aloud,
to his next neighbor - Well, now, | am
beat to think I'm going TO hear the man
I've wanted TO see for more n twenty
wears The young lady gave an
amused little laugh, bu, it fell unheeded
upon the unsophis,icated speaker, whose
attention was already caught by the or
ator.
Mr.. Cough commenced his brief lee
,ure with one of his inimitable descrip-
,ions. The story was of man who
applied 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 re-
sorting 70 the measure he had proposed.
Il included also an account of later
visi, when the happy husband withdrew
his application; and, fairly dancing with
glee. assured the lawyer that his exper'
iment had worked like charm, that
Sally had become as amiable and af-
fec,iona,e a wife as a man could ask to
have"
Mr.. Coughs representation Of the
scence drew forth prolonged applause
but Samuel fuckers interest was Of too
serious nature to permit his joining in
the laughter. As if unconscious, for the
moment. of the multitude about him, h.
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 was different from mine; Id as soon
think of feeding seerup to a mummy as
to begin sparkling again with her
/, would seem that this course Of rea-
soning did not wholly dismiss from the
farmers mind a train Of thoughts and
possibilities suggested by the lecturer
story. In every treat OF the following
days-at sacred service or popular lee
ture, in the museum or by the model Of
the Holy Land, when listening TO concert
or gazing with tbrongs upon the illum-
mated feet, the far-away husband was
relentlessly followed by vision of the
hard-worked Jane, looking upon him
with reproachful eyes. At length he
euieted his conscience with the determ-
instion to prove that his estimate of his
wife was correct. "When | 20 back,
he said to himself, "Ill 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
no, easily carried out. When Mr.. Tuck
er planned some gallantry towards his
wife. the very thought made him feel so
unnatural and foolish that postponement
resulted but the Sabbath offered an op-
portunity so convenient that he improy-
ed it.
The farm was nearly mile from the
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. Tucker S
astonishment, therefore, on the Sabbath
after his 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 not cross the
good woman's 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,
when the farmer called out, :" It's jest
as cheap to ride as to walk" Silently
the wife took her seat in the buggy, ano
silently they drove home, much to thu
hr stands satisfaction, for it seemed Il
him a proof of the womans dull, unap
preciative nature. "She didn't act pleased
but was only dazed like, as l knew sh
would be" he muttered, as he went abou
his midday "chores. ;.
At the same time Mr.. Tucker wa
conscious of having performed a mos
praiseworthy act, and felt so comfortabl
that he resolved to repeat the expert
ment. So, on the following Sabbath
Jane again found her husband in waiting
and as she mounted the high buggy, ven
tured to utter a half-audible THAN
, YOU" and to ask Samuel if he had bee
, waiting long. To which Mr.. Tucker re
piled that he had just reached the churc
, and didn't know but he might find sh
had started ON foot. This reply SCENE