Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-02-17
SAMUEL TUCKER'S SECOND OWO-
ING.

Boston Congregauonalist.
Although Farmer Tucker had long
dreamed Of visit to Chautauqua, when
he actually found himself at that Mecca
of deyout excursiOnists early last August,
the brawny man was tempted to doubt
his own identity. The holiday surround
ings were wholly unlike anything to
which he was accustomed in his prOsy
New England home; the rich crowded
programme offered was in striking con-
trast to the dull mOn0tOny of farm life.
When this son of toll first entered the
auditorium, and saw the rustic amphi-
theater crowded with thousands Of peO-
pie listened 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 white haired
speaker arose and was introduced 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 l am 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 unheeded upon the un-
sophisticated speaker, whose attention
was already caught by the crater.
Mr.. Cough commenced his brief lee
ture with one of his iDimitable descrip-
lions. The story was of man who APP
piled for 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 resort
ing to the measure he had proposed. 1t
included also an account of later visit
when the happy husband withdrew his
application, and, fairly dancing with
glee, assured the lawyer that his expert
ment had worked like charm, that
"Sally had become as amiable and at
fecti0nate 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 Sc
rlOus nature to permit his joining in
the laughter. As If unconscious, for the
moment, of the multitude about him, he
said in an undertOne: "Pd 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 num-
my 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 by the lecturers
story. In every treat of the following
days-at sacred service or popular lee
ture, in the museum or by the model Ct
the Holy Land. when listening to a con-
cert or gazing with throngs upon. the
Illuminated fleet, the far away husband
was relentlessly followed by vision of
hard worked Jane, looking upon him
with reprOachful eyes. AT length he
duieted his conscience with the deter
minatiOn to prove that his estimate OF
his wife was correct. "When 60 back"
he said to himself, "I'll just show the
woman some little attentions, and I'll
see they won't have no more effect on
her than they would IN the old bay mare.
James bound to be sullen and obstinate,
and suppose might as well make up
my mind to it."
On reaching home the resolution was
not easily carried out. When Mr.. Tuck
or planned some gallantry towards his
wife, the very thought made him feel SO
unnatural and foolish that postpone
ment resulted; but the Sabbath offered
an opportunity so convenient that he
improved it.
The farm was nearly a mile from
church, yet Samuel tucker had for years
been i'm 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 her husbands return, to
find him waiting for her at the close OF
the Bible service. The faintest suspi-
cion that he had driven back to the
church for her did not cross the good