St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-02-23
ST. c5uhnsbrrp Galedunian.
Samuel fuckers Second Woo
ing.

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he actually found himself at that Nee
ca of devout excursionists, early last
August. the brawny man was tempted
Ia doubt his own identity. The holt
day surroundings were wholly unlike
anything to which he was accustomed
in his proSy New England home the
rich, crowded programme offered was
in striking contrast to the dull mOnotO-
NY of farm life. When this son of toll
first entered the auditorium, and saw
that rustic amphitheatre crowded with
thousands of people listening breath
lcssly 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 Mr.. John b. Cough.
At this announcement Samuel Tuck
cr's satisfaction was too great to he
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 years The young lady gave
an amused little laugh, but it fell I'M
needed upon the unsOphisticated speak
or, whose attention was already caught
10y the orator.
Mr.. Cough commenced his brief lect
urc with one of his inimitable descrip-
tiOns. The story was of man who
applied for IA divorce, and was advised
10y 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 pro
posed. 1t included also an account of
"a later visit when the happy husband
Withdrew his application and, fairly
dancing with glee, assured the lawyer
that it had worked like charm, that
"Sally had become as amiable and at
fcctionatc wife as man could ask to
have
Mr.. Coughs representation of the
scene drew forth prolonged applause
but Samuel fuckers interest was of
too serious nature to permit his join
ing in the laughter. As if unconscious,
for the moment, of the multitude about
HIM, he said in an undertone "fd be
willing to take my oath that wouldn't
work with Jane. All have to say is,
that mans wife was different from
mine; I'd rs soon think of feeding sur
rup to Il mummy as to begin sparkling
again with her
1t would seem that this course of rea-
soning did not wholly dismiss from the
farmers mind train of thoughts and
possibilities suggested 10y the lecturers
story. In every treat of the following
days-a 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 illuminated fleet, the ar-away
husband was relentlessly followed by ii
hard worked Jane, looking upon him
with reproachtul eyes. At length he
quoted his conscience with the deter
minatiOn To prove that his estimate of
his wife was correct. When | go
back he said to himself, OH Just
show the woman some 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
not easily carried out. When Mr..
Tucker planned some gallantry to-
wards his wife, the very thought made
him feel 50 unnatural and foolish that
p0stponcmcnt resulted hut the Sab
bath offered an opportunity SO conven
lent thai he improved it.
The farm was nearly mile from
church, yet Samuel Tucker had for
years been in the habit of drifting back
Il.
ing his wife to attend the Sabbath
school, and then walk home as best
she could through mud or dust. Great
was Mrs. fuckers astOniShmcnt, there |
fore. on the Sabbath after her hus- |
bands return, to find him waiting for
her ut the close of the Bible service. |
The faintcst 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 hcsitat- !
ing whether To walk on as usual or to |
suggest waiting for him, when the |
farmer called out, cts Jest as cheap to |
ride aS to walk Silently the wife |
took her seat in the buggy, and silent
" they drove home, much to the huS- |
bands satisfaction, for it seemed to |
him proof of the woman's dull, I'M !
apprcciative nature. "She didn't act
pleased. but was only dazcd like, as |
knew she would be-" he muttered as
he went about his midday CHORES"
At the same time Mr.. Tucker was
conscious of having performed most |
praiscworthy act, and felt so comfort |
able that he resolved to repeat the eX-
pertinent. SO on the following Sab
bath, Jane again found her husband in |
waiting, and as she mounted the high |
buggy. ventured to utter "A half-audi- |
Bile ''thank you,' and to ask Samuel if
he had been waiting long. TO which .
Mr.. Tucker replied that he had Just |
reached the church. and didn't know .
but he might find that she had started /
on foot. This reply seemed to Jane .
positive assurance that her husband /
had really returned for the sole pur-
pose of taking her home and her
chilled heart glowed with "A warmth |
unknown for years. She longed to tell |
her husband how much she appreciated |
his trouble, but imagined it would
sound $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, Il wonder if
Samuel means to come for me this
noon it would be such a help in the
rain I'm half a'mind to ask him -
This resolution was soon stified, how
ever, with the reasoning which had
silenced many similar resolves in the
past ten years NO, | won't ask no
favors if he don't think enough of me
To come, why he needn't" Although
proudly unwilling to seek any atten-
tons. Jane longed for some demonstra-
ton of her husbands love and care
she had walked home in the rain too