River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-11-20
A HOLIDAY MYSTERY.

uel NeWeli were Old friends and cr0n1eS
and, what was really wonderful, their
respective wives had rather cemented
the intimacy by becoming violently at
tached to one another. The conse-
quence was that the two families lived
on the closest terms of friendship and
good will, and not unfrequently went
to the same holiday resort for their
summer vacation. This year they took
adjoining houses at Eastbourne, and
according to custom, Mr.. Battledore
and Mr.. Newell remained in town on the
plea of business, running down to the
seaside from Saturday to Monday, and
occasionally staying for few days at
time. The fact was that these old
gentlemen made business an excuse for
little mild dissipation in the absence
Of their excellent helpmates. The
ladies' naturally viewed the arrange
ment with some uneasiness. and each
had an uncomfortable suspicion that
the others husband might lead her
spouse astray. But nothing ever trans.
PRED of the old gentlemens proceed
ings which was calculated to disturb do
nestle harmony, though they were both
subjected to a rigorous and search
ing cross examination during their
periodical visits to their families at
the expiration of each week spent In
town.
Mr.. Battledore and Sam Newell
it would be affectation to speak of him
as Mr.. Samuel Newell, since everybody
called him Sam, though he was we'll
past sixtv-were seated after dinner
enjoying them wine one Monday eve
ming, having returned from Eastbourne
in the morning, when Mr.. Battledore
remarked:
I'm not sure they haven't got the
best of it down there" nodding vag-
uely over his shoulder in the sup
osed direction of Eastbourne. at is
tare holiday weather-much too hot for
town"
Precious slow at the seaside" re-
Joined the other, as he shifted at his
claret.
well, yes; certainly" acquiesced
Mr.. Battledore.
'Jolly il, Paris, though expect, +"
suggested sam. 1nSldouSlY.
Hot" calculated Mr.. Battledore,
with an distracted air.
''POoh 1t was hotter than this when
we went together three years ago and
set contriyed to enjoy ourselves.
Mr.. Battledore coughed uneasily and
helped himself to wine. The occasion
referred to called forth mingled re-
hectiOns He and Sam Newell had
crossed the Channel for short trip
with the full consent and appreciation
of their wives, and had what the Ameri-
cans call "a high old time" But after
their return Sam Newell, through I'M
due appreciation Of his own claret, has
suffered himself to be beguiled into maxi
ing unguarded admissions of rather an
awkward nature, which he endeavored,
with only partial success, to explain
away the next morning. The wives ac
cordinglv laId their heads together, and
though no unpleasantness ensued, it
was tacitlv understood that an edict
had gone forth which he effectually ban
ished from the breasts of the delinquents
The smallest hope of ever being again
allowed to visit the Continent without
an escort.
II feel very much inclined to run
across, said Sam Newell, tentatively.
al couldn't get away" returned Mr..
Battledore.
"Whv?"
ooh! business, of course" answered
Mr.. BattledoTe.
Wont do, joey. Won't come the
humbug over me-" said Sam, with a
wink.
Mr. Battledore frowned slightly and
then suffered his features to relax into
4 smile. He was rathera pompous and
1ignified old gentleman, but he knew
from experience that it was no use be-
ing pretentious with Sam.
"My wife wouldn't hear of it" he said,
after pause. 'Im sure yours wouldn't
either"
"Why should she?" inquired Sam,
with another wink.
"Ehw exclaimed Mr.. Battledore,
starting.
Let us go and say nothing about it.
We could start to morrow morning and
come back on Friday night, in time to
20 to Eastbourne as usual. We should
get three clear days over there"
Mr.. Battledore leaned back in his
chair, fairly amazed by this audacious
proposal. Had he been staying at home
the suggestion would have appeared i'm
l,ractic file on the face of 1t, but he had
been fortunate enough to let his house.
and was for the time Sans honored
guest. Now, SANS household were de-
voted to their master, who did not dis
lain TO bride them to hold their tongues
about his abnOrmally late hours when
ais wife was absent. Sam might there
lore safely leave for week without fear
of being BETRAYED. and this circumstance
removed a great danger. There would
he no difficulty as regarding his office,
Tor Mr. Battledore had an easy and ac-
eommodating partner, who could be
safely trusted to keep his secret. There
remained only conscientious scruples
about deceiving his wife, AMI these, sad
TO relate, vanished like snow beneath a
MONDAY sun as Sam proceeded to expa-
tiato upon the attractions and gayeties
Of the French capital,
The upshot was that Air. Battledore
and Sam Newell started for Paris the
next morning and enjoyed their brief
trip amazinglv-in an innocent fashion
enough, no doubt. They retur ned to
London ON the Saturday morning as ar
ranged, and were relieved TO find that
no communication awaited either of
hem <om their respective wives. In
the afternoon they took their usual
rain to Eastbourne, as though nothing
bad happened. feeling tolerably easy
in their minds Sam Newell certainly
did, but then he was the more hardened
sinner, being member of the Stock
Exchange. Mr. Battledore's mlsgiyings
we're chiefly attributable to blister on
his nose caused hv exposure to the sun,
and this troubled him good deal, es-
pecially as they approached their des-
sinatIon.
"What shall say if my wife notices
it," he iuluired, gazing apprehensive-
IL at himself in the polished case of his
watch.
ooh she won't notice it, said Sam
N his oiT-hand way.
"But surprising she does" insisted
Mr. Battledore little irritIbly. Tell
her you've been smelling fiat iron to
cure a cold" suggested Sam
This was ali the assistance Mr.. Battle
lore received from his companion, and
he worked himselfup insS quite nerv-
ous state lest his blistered nose
should give rise to awkward
questions Fortunately, however,
Sans opinion turned out to be
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