Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-02-28
ONE NIGHT In THE COUNTRY.

happened to come home late that
night, for had dined some old friends
at the club by way of sparing my wife
the trouble of entertaining. Now,
Fanny was the most amiable woman in
the world, and, of course, | never felt
nervous about returning at any hour
chose. But the truth was. she had
given up her happy country life for my
sake, and knew that she secretly re.
GREETED those rural delights. | also
knew that, whenever l was detained
later than usual at the club, that feeling
was especially dominant. SO thrust
my hands deep into my ulster pockets
and tried to think OF some pleasant
topic of conversation with which to be.
guile her into cheerfulness. AS / drew
near home my fingers came in contact
with a crumpled bit of paper in the
depths of my pocket. Tbs knew to
be telegram, which recalled the fact
that my agent had that day. taken a
fruit-farm near Vineland to secure a
debt; and this, in turn. suggested an
idea. would tell my vie about
Cookies bargain, and emphasize the
news by displaying the dispatch.
Softly opening the front door, l
CROPPED my way along the dark hall to
the nursery, where | was sure to fin
Fanny, and almo,t equally sure of
waking baby. "Is that you, George?'
she asked, in discouraged tone, with
out turning her head. The wicked idea
of Disgusting my voice to note the effect
crossed my mind, but thought of the
telegram and resisted the temptation.
''Of course, Fanny. How coy You
are here! TCrn up the lamp have
something to show YOU" said, cheer
hr, rs smoothed out Cooke telegram
before her.
''What do you think of that, Fan?'
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and gave
The cradle little Jog with her foot to
keep the baby quiet.
80, George, how good you aren' she
cried, ioyfully. :" ave YOU really
bought farm? When are we to go?'
why. you you wouldn't move in
March, would you?n / asked, for lack
OF something better to say.
"What shall we do with this house,
George" And the fun ture? Hadn' t
we better sell the horses and carriage
and get something Il little more SUI ted
to country roads?'
saw that my wife was wide awake
now, SO yawned and replied that we
would have plenty of time 10 think about
that. and remarked that it was getting
late.
l suffered an occasional twinre of
conscience the next day, as now and
then L recallel my wife's innocent pratt
tie about our farm. also began to fear
that | had not behaved with my usual
wisdom in the attempt to strew my own
path with flowers on my return from
the club. As dinner time approached
shrank from meeting Fanny, and at
last sent her noe to say that l would
not be at home till late hour, and
begged her not to sit up for me- But
might as well have gone home like a
man. 1t was only deferring the evil
hour. when | must confess that l never
had the remotest idea of living in the
country, even though l might be the
possessor of forty farms.
Still, day after day put it off. while l
was forced to hear myself praised for
unsefishness, or to listen to my wife's
schemes for the education of our BOYS
when they should be out of the reach of
schools. BY and by our friends be-
gan to talk of our departure as if it had
been settled fact. In vain l assured
them that it was all nonsense. and we
were not going away at all. They took
the pang of separation more philosoph-
ically than one would have imagined,
i To ha
Theyseven inquired whether meant to
let or sell the house, what we were going
to do with our servants, and if our pew
in church was for sale.
All this was rather hard: but when.
on our e; ghth anniversary, our neigh
borS gave us little surprise party, pre-
senting us with silver berry-set appro-
priately marked as "a parting testimo-
NAL of esteem and regret" was in
despair. After the company was gone
my wife gently reproached me with a
lack of cordially to our guests. but |
had not the heart to confess the reason.
do not know how l ever managed to
restrain my feelings till she left the
room. Then l locked the door, and.
turning up the gas. critically SURVEYED
l.
mented lunatic? If were still in the
full possession of my mind, why did not
my hair turn white? Twas nearly driven
to suicide. What could it mean? With.
out one voluntary step on my part was
literally driven out OF the city-talked
and smiled out of my own home
1T is past endurance. said. through
my clenched teeth, II have still a
roof over my head and l will have nv
freedom. Twill let my neiyhbors know
George, softly called Fanny through
the nursery door, .'diI tell You that /
showed Mrs. Howe through the house
to-day. and she has as good as promised
to take it at your own terms for five
years. "'
groaned soto voce. and was glad
that Fanny could mol see me at that mo-
ment.
Ibid you hear, dear?" she insisted.
Eyes, but I am too tired to discuss
anything tonight. Do get the lights
out as soon as possible. am com plete-
" worn out" answered, fretfully, but
with great sincerity.
'.PCor &c rge"' sighed she. "You
need the rest and quiet of the country as
much as /.
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