Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-26

80 aWAAA
winking all the tiwethe estimate was
being made and finally went out, after
leaving hsi order, in a transport of
merriment and with the promise Of
secrecy he desired.
The schemer let several of his
friends into the secret, and the mail
carrier left q number of letters on his
rounds next morning directed to their
wives.
The schemer, a we'll known steam.
boat passenger agent, went home that
night, looking more than usual like
the image of innocence. His wife met
him at the door for the first time 10
six months, and greeted him with un
usual warmth.
look here" she said, holding a
paper under his nose. "What does
this mean2 How dare you, sir, play
upon my feelings in this mannerP"
Me, my dearl" sweetly chirped the
schemer.
Yes, you, my dear"
why, what's the natter"
Read that" handing him a copy Of
the permit, with a request written on
the margin to sign and send by mail to
President Hidden. ibid YOU write
thai, s;f?Y"
He swOre by the fork of the MaCoa.
romans that he wished he might be
struck dead by dynamite if he had
ever seer 1t before.
II guess Dave Hadden sent that, "
he added.
20 you do, eh2 You guess Dave
Hadden sent it, do you? And what
has he to do with your beastIy habits,
I'd like to know? Now, look here, |
see through this thing. You wanted
me to sign this outrageous document,
and then carryit arOundi in yourpocket
to show to the police. Or maybe you
wanted Mr.. Hadden to have it always
on hand to refer to when you were be
ing tried before him. Well, sir, / won't
sign it, that's certain. | DO not intend
to give my consent to you going around
trying 10 unlock doors with cigar
stubs, crawling up the steps like a
kitten and going to sleep with your
head in the coal scuttle; not that |
care, but | won't indOrse any such
proceedings, and that is all I've got 10
say"
but it is only a joke, my love-"
"YeS, you may say it is only a joke.
now that | refuse to put my meme to
it, but if had signed it you would
never have been too drunk to shake it
under my nose when l get after you
about your conduct. OH you miser.
able wretch, why did l CIV" and
storm Of tears drowned the reIsin6er
Of the cegteuce.
All snow quiet along the Potomac,
but that document is a heap Of ashes.
A jolly transfer man who sent one
of the torpedoea through the mail to
his wife had an equally graphic ex.
%perience. She did not meet him at
the door that night as usual aud vas
very quiet at supper, but when sue
got him cornefed alone opened Gre by
asking in a forced voice, DO you take
me for an imbeoile, that you think l
would sign a thing like that" exhib.
iting the permit.
why, | didn't ask you to sign any.
thing. What is it2'
Some kind friend did il for you,
peFh4ps."
Never saw or heard Of it before"
VERY innocent, as usual. You are
always innocent. One would think to
look at you that you had never heard
or thought Of sRytkiRg but Weslsy's
sermons IN all your life, | don't see
how you manage to get along with the
rough and tumble world as you do,
with all your gushing innocence. /.
suppose you want 10 have that thing
around like a pocket pistol to draw on
me 10 future, do you? Well, l do not
intend to load a gun to shoot myself
With. would not 10 gOese enough to
bring suit for damages for your loss.
No jury in the world would value my
bereavement at Eve cents. They would
be more likely to bring in a verdict Of
luck enough for one woman"
6" am all in the dark"