The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-05-04
SELECT STORY.
CAUGHT A TARTAR.


ed their premonitory notes through the
leafless branches, he began more sensi
bly, to miss the comforts and endear.
n,ents of an unbroken home circle, and
to think seriously of filling the vacant
seat by bis hearth.
| The doctor, despite the advice of his
elders in the profession, had married
too young, and as a consequence, found
himself at 30 with small family upon
his hands, and an income somewhat
narrower and more precarious than he
could have desired. Still he was a
handsome man, was great favorite
among the ladies, and possessed an ex.
cellent professional reputation. Under
these circumstances ambition whispered
that it would be very possible for him
to contract brilliant alliance; to carry
off some dashing lady whose solid
charms should allay his pecuniary vex.
ations; while her beauty, her wit and
her style should make him the envy OF
half the town TO do the doctor jus
tice, he did not draw on his Imagination
for all these details; they were suggest
ed to him ready-made IN the person of
Miss Minerva Hall, a lady whose ap.
parent age was 25 or 26.
On the other hand, he knew a little
cottage just out of town, embowered
amid roses and honeysuckles and
clumps of evergreens, where dwelt in
the retirement of domestic peace and
tranquility the solace and joy Of wild
owed mother and the pet and idol Of
the small circle of cultivated and warm
hearted people with whom she moved
sweet Annie Huntington.
| Anne was gentle and fair.haired; sh,
had none of the golden graces or sub
tie fascinations of her own rival: bu
she possessed what was better, a refined
and educated mind, an amiable dispos
ton, and warm, loving heart.
| The doctors first wife had been ;
woman of this stamp-quiet and domes
tic in her tastes; gentle and affectionatt
in disposition; and the doctor had som,
rather distinct impressions that thest
same qualities had had much to de
with the happiness of those few year,
of married life. He was domestic
man; he loved his home and home en-
|joyments and home endearments; yet
nevertheless, Amy had come to him
portionless bride, and the consequence,
was he was in debt now, and harrasset
daily for funds.
| One dreary November evening th
doctor came home from round o
most vexatious professional calls to fine
tea not ready, the housekeeper cross
the children in tears Before the clotl
was scarce removed the children wer
sent to bed for some trivial misdemean
or; and shortly afterward the house
keeper, irritated at some sharp remarl
OF the doctors, slammed the door be
hind her and retired to her own room.
THIS left alone to his own medita
tions, the doctor fell very naturally t.
soliloquizing, and his soliloquy tool
very much the tone of the dismal rail-
which beat continually against th
windows.
"What miserable life is this to lead
1t will be the ruin of me and my child
rem soon, that is certain. But how t,
mend it? The truth of the matter is,
ought to marry fortune. I'm bother
ed to death to day with duns. There
the grocers bill hasn't b. en- paid thes
six months. and the butchers bill i
about due; and the interest of the mort
gage on this house must be paid mex
month. To be sure, with the right kin,
OF management, all these things coul,
be put straight in the course of time
but housekeeper at the head of intern
al affairs isn't like a good wife, w
seen that; neither, have a slight gus
picion, are all women like Amy. Poo
soul! she was good wife to me; bu
then | ought not to have married he
when | did. Why couldn't | have wait
ed awhile and not have plunged mysel
headlong into-I know not what? Well
experience is dear school, but fool
will learn in no other There's Mnerv;
Hall, now--that would be mattel
worth talking about; a couple of thous
and at least, | suppose, she will brin!
to the man who is fortunate enough t.
win her, besides her wit and the queen
| ly air she has. 1t does one good to Sc,
hor come walking down the street, hea,
up, and such a bust! and her slende
foot fairly scorning the ground sh,
walks on. They say such women ar,
apt to have temper, but think that
all nonsense; besides no man will obiec
to a little spirit of the right sort, A
to her beiug heartless, that's all non
sense too. Every woman has a heart
only every man hasn't the wit to la,
his hands upon it,
Trust me to find the softin II woman
heart Once get your hand wound il
among the heart strings and you car
manage the proudest of them. Nov
Minerva has sort of weakness for M
ii know that-Ive seen it this Ion!
time, and on the whole don't believ,
| shall do better than to marry her"
| The doctor paused, and | think a Wis
ion OF the pretty cottage aud its faire
inmate fitted across bis brain, for h
grew more deeply pensive, and CLEAN
of tenderness softened his dark eye
But presently he muttered:
'"Pshaw that will never do; she ha
no fortune!"
| Things grew hazy in his brain fo
awhile, ana then, as if just arrived at
sudden resolution, he started up, array
ed himself for walk, and went out
When he came back, it was as the al
fanced husband of Minerva Hall
| A short time elapsed-to the doc;o
it seemed very short-until she wa
brought home to preside as Mrs, Win
throp over his household.
1t may be doubted whether, even o
his wedding night, the doctor felt hin
self supremely blest; but perhaps tn
first real tangible drop of bitterness i
his cup was tasted when he saw hi
handsome wife stand before her miro
and divest herself of a magnificent Sc
of false teeth and two or three heav
braide of hair These slight operation
together with the washing off of a COZ
of rouge and pearl powder, wrougl