Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-09-26
A HOLIDAY MYSTERY.

Mr. Joseph BattlGdore ana Mi
Samuel Newell were old friends anC
cronics, aud what was really wonder
ful, their respective wives had rather
cemented the intimacy by becoming
violently attached To one another. The
consequence WAS that the two families
lived on the closest terms of friend
ship and good will, and not unfre
quently went TO the same holiday re
sort for the summer vacation. This
year they took adjoining houses al
Eastbourne, and according to custom,
Mr.. BatlIedOre aud Mr., Newell re
manned in town on the plea of business
running down to the seaside from
Saturday to Monday, and occasionally
staying for few days at a time The
fact wa2 that these gentlemen made
business an excuse for Il little mid
dissipation in the absence of their eX
ceIIent helpmatcs. The ladies natur
ally viewed the arrangement with
some uucaSiuc5s, and each had an
uncomfortable suspicion that the
others husband might lead her spouse
astray. But nothing ever TRANSFERRED
OF the old gantleman's proceedings
which was calculated To disturb do
mestic harmony, though they were
both subjected To II rigorous and
searching cross examination during
their periodical visits to their families
at the expiration Of each week spent
in town.
Mr.. Battlcdore and Sam Newell
for il would be aliectatIOn to speak OF
him ms Mr. Samuel Newell, since
everybody called him Sam, though he
was we'll pas sixty were seated after
dinner cnjoyi.g their VINE ona M)m-
day evening, having returned from
Eastbourne IN the morning, when Mr.
Battlodore ramarked:
Pm not sure they haven't got the
best OF it down there, nOddlng yagu-
ely over has shoulder in the direction
of Eastbourne. ut is rare holiday
weather much too hot FOR town"
"Prcclous slow AZ the seaside re.
Joined the other as he shifted at his
claret.
well, yes; certainly acquiesced
Mr.. Battledore.
Jolly in Paris, though, expect,
suggested Sam, insidlousIy
"Hot,' calculated Mr. Battledore,
with an ab,lractcd air.
pooh IT. was hotter than this
when W" went together three years
ago, and yet We contrivcd to enjoy
ourselves.
Mr.. Battlcdorc caughcd uneasily,
and helped himself to wine. The oc
casi@n referred t.culIcd forth mingled
reflections. He and Sam Newell had
crossed the Channel for a short trip
with the full consent aud appreciation
of their wives, and mad what the
Americans call "a high old time.
But after their return, Sam Newell,
through undue appreciation of his
own claret, had suffered himself to be
beguiled INTO making unguarded ad
missions of rather an awkward nature
which he endravOred, with only par
tial success, To- explain away the ueXt
morning. The wives accordingly LAID
their beads together, and, tnough no
unpieaSluturs, cnSued, it was tacltly
understood that an cdict had gone
forth which cllcctually banlShcd from
the breasts of the dslinqueutS the
smallest hope of ever being again al
lowed To visit the continent without
an escort.
81 feel very much inclined to run
across, +" said Sam Newell, tentatively
Il could not get away returned
Mr.. Battledore
Why"
"Oh, business, of course" answer
ed Mr.. Battledore.
won't do, Joey. Don't come the
huutsug over ne, SAID Sam, with Il
wink.
Mr.. Battlrdorc frowned slightly,
and then suffered his features to relax
into u smile. He was rather pom
pous and diguiied old gentleman, but
he knew from experience that it was
no use being preteutious with Sam.
My wife wouldn't hear OF it; I'm
sure yours won't either he said, after
a pause.
why should She asked Sam with
another wink.
En-" exclaimed Mr.. BattIedore,
starting.
let us go and say nothing about
il. We could start tomorrow morn
ing and come back ON Friday night
in time Ia 20 To EaStbourne as usual
We should get three clear days over
there
Mr. Battlcdore leaned back in his
chair, fair.y amazed by this audacious
proposal. Had he been staying at
home the suggestion would have ap.
peared lmpracticable ON the face of II,
but he had been fortunate enough to
let his house, and for the time was
Sans honored guest. Now. Sans
household was devoted To their master.
who did not disdaln to bride them TO
hold their tongues about his abnormal
ly late hours when his wife was alb
sent. Sam might, therefore, safely
leave for a week without fear of being
betrayed, and this circumstance re
moved a great danger. There would
be no difficulty rs regarded his office.
for Mr.. Bat,ledore had an eaSy and
accommodating partner, who could
safely be trusted 10 keep his secret
There remained only conscientious
scruples about deceiving his wife, and
these, sad To relate, vanished like
snow beneath a MONDAY sun, as Sam
proceeded to eXpatiate upon the at
fractions and gayeties of the French
capital
The upshot was that Mr.. Battle
dore aud Sam Newell started for Paris
the next morning, and enioyed their
brief trip alnazngly-iu an Innocent
fashion enough, no doubt. They re-.
turned to London on the SATURDAY.
morning, AS arranged, and we're
relieved to find that no communities
ton awaited either of them from their
respective wives, In the afternoon
they took their usual train To East.
bourne, as though nothing had hap.
peaed, feeling tolerably easy IN then
minds. Sam Newell certainly did.
but then he was the more hardened
sinner, being a member of the Stock
Exchange. Mr. Battledore's misgiv.
ings were chiefly attributable to a
blister on his nose, caused by exposure
to the sun, and this troubled him a
good deal, especially as they SIP.
preached their destination.
what shall l say if my wife
notices it2' he inquired, gazing