The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-02-08
Samuel fuckers Second wooing.

dreamed of a visit to Chautduqua. when
he actually found himself at that Mecca
of deyout eXcursonists, 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 bis
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
amphtheatre 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 introduced to the
audience as Mr. John b. Cough.
At this announcement Samuel Tuck
ers satisfaction was too great to be kept
to himself, and he said, half aloud, to his
next nelghbOr: "Well, now. | am beat to
think I'm going to hear the man I've
wanted to see for mOTen 1--WE; ty Years"
The young lady gave an amused little
laugh, but it fell unheeded upon the un
sophisticated speaker, whose attention
was already caught 10y the orator.
Mr.. Cough commenced his brief lect-
ure with one of his inmitabe descrip-
tions. The story was of man who APP
piled for a 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 proposed, 1t in
Cluded also an account of a later visit
when the happy husband withdrew his
application and, fairly dancing with
gee, assured the lawyer that his expert
ment had worked like charm, that
'Sally had become as aniable and attec-
tionate a wife as a man could ask to
have
Mr.. Coughs representation of the
scene drew forth prolonged applause;
but Samuel fuckers interest was Of too
serious a nature to permit his Joining i'll
the laughter. As if unconscious, for the
moment, of the multitude about him, he
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 I'd as soon
think of feeding serrup to mummy as to
begin sparkling again with her"
1t would seem that this course of rea-
sonng did not wholly dismiss from the
farmers mind a train of thoughts and
possibilities suggested 10y the lecturers
story. In every treat OF the following
days-at sacred service or popular lect-
ure, in the museum or by the model of
the Holy Land, when listening to con-
cert or gazing with throngs upon the il
| Illuminated fleet, the far away husband
was reentlessly followed by vision of
hard worked Jane, looking upon him
with reproachful eyes. At length he
Quieted his conscience with the deter
mination to prove that his estimate of
his wife was correct. ''When 90 back" :"
he said to himself, 'I'll just show the
woman some little attentions, and iii 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.. Tuck
| Vi PittibNt oUllIC Sttllttull Wv ttlN NAo LIS
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 improv
| ed it.
The farm was nearly a 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 establishment, therefore, on the
Sabbath after his return, to find him
waiting for her at the close OF the Bible
service. The falntest 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 hestating
whether to walk on as usual or to sug-
gest 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, aud silently they drove
home, much to the husbands satisfac-
tion, for it seemed to him Il proof of the
Womans dull, unappreciatiVe nature.
"She didn't act pleased, but was only
dazed like, as | knew she would be-" he
muttered, as he went about his md day
"chOreS.h
At the same time Mr.. Tucker was con-
scious OF having performed most praise
worthy act, and felt 50 comfortable that
he resolved to repeat the experiment
SO on the following Sabbath, Jane again
found her husband in waiting, and as
she mounted the high buggy, ventured
to utter a halfaudible "thank you," and
to ask Samuel if he had been waiting
long. To which Mr.. Tucker replied that
he had Just reached the church, anC
didn't know but he might find she haC
started on foot. This reply seemed tC
Jane positive assurance that her hus
band had really returned for the sole
purpose Of taking her home and hel
chilled heart glowed with warmth un-
known for years. She longed to tell hel
husband how much she appreciated his
trouble, but imagined it would sound "sC
foolish that she kept her pleasure to her
self
The third Sabbath was rainy, and a:
she washed the breakfast dishes Mrs
r Tucker kept thinking, ~ wonder if Sam
uel means to come for me this noon i
would be such a help in the rain; In
half a mind to ask him. This resolu
ton was soon stihed, however, with the
reasoning which had sienced many simi
lar resolves in the past ten years. "No
| won't ask no favors if he don't thinl
enough of me to come, why he needn't.
Although proudly unwilling to seek an,
{ attentions, Jane longed for some demon
. stration of her husbands love and care
: she had walked home in the rain too oftel
greatly to dread such exposure; but ;
week before, the wife had tasted the joy
of being considered, and longed for som,
new and further proof of her companion
affection.
Mrs. fuckers heart leaped for joy
5 when, at noon, she saw the old mare
head from the lecture room window In
f deed, her hungering heart suddenly be
came quite unmanageable, and entering
: the carriage poor, melted Jane sobbe'
out: "I'm sure it's very good of you
Samuel, to come back for me this rain.
day." and then the tears flowed SO fas