Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-09-11
Use of telling you, you wouldn't be.

But, mamma dear, pleaded little
| Bessie, don't be too cross with him,
please-for my sake, dear mamma.
What do you mean, Bessie2" de
manded Mrs. Grim, Indignantly /:
I'm ashamed of youl Have you no
self respect You my daughter If
your father had ever ventured 10 treat
me so disgracefully, do yeu think l
would have asked my mother not to be
cross with hin} No, [ should have
help herl That's what you should
do; but you're unit You're weak,
silly creatures still, thank goodness,
! Pm able TO do ii myself.
And Mrs. Grim marched off, ap,
parently fairly satisfied with the turn
affairs had taken, and determined TO
! talk to Master Joseph in a way he
had never been talked to before.
Poor Bessie, too weak with crying to
make any opposition, heard her
mother, few minutes afterward =,
prance down the hall and slam the
front door after her.
| Mrs. Grim called a cab and drove
straight to the station. She Just ar
rived in time to catch the tram that
Joseph had arranged Bessie should
come by. All the way to Wimbledon
she occupied herself by turning over
in her mind the most disagreeable
things she could think of, and getting
them into the most disagreeable shape
possible, ready for launching at the
head of her offending sonin law. As
the tram drew up to the station she
saw him standing on the platform in
his volunteer uniform, looking as
handsome and innocent as usual.
The moment she got out of the car
riage he noticed her, and came hurry
ing forward, with rather an anxious
expression on his continuance.
Where's Bessie, Mrs GnmW he
cried. Has anything happened to
herr Why is she not here2
eyes, Mr.. Goode," answered Mrs.
Grim, Looking him full in the face,
and refusing his proffered hand.
Yes, Mr. Goode something has hap
pcned to her"
you don't say sol" he said, alarm
ed. "Why didn't you telegraph to
me2 What is it2"
"Oh, only this: she has found you
out"
What are you talking about2" ask
ed Joseph, angrily. is Bessie ILL., or
is she notl Answer me that"
III answer you nothing, sir, till
you first answer me" replied Mrs.
Grim, sternly." How dare you, you
scoundrel, abuse the confidence of my
poor daughter You viper 10 run,
away from your good and faithful
wife to follow wicked actresses and
other disreputable woment''
Joseph gaz'd ON his mother-in-law
in amazement
by Jove" he SAID to himself, II
always thought she was bit touched,
but | never imagined she would 60
raving wild so soon.n Then he said
aloud: Pray, Mrs Grim, be calm.
l really don't quite understand YOU"
''Oh, no; of course you don't, she
answered scornfully. II never i'm
agined you would On, you're a sly
hypocrite, you twofaced villain,
your
Mrs. Grim, dc please keep quiet,
said Joseph, pleadingly See, all the
people are looking at us. COME out
of the station, and we will talk it over
quietly"
mo, sir; I'll do nothing of the
kind, replied Mrs. Grim, Immediately
straight out of the station. They
went little distance in silence. JOS
eph was apparently convinced that his
mother-in-law had gone crazy, and
was wondering how he should get her
quietly back to London. While he
was thus occupied she broke in upon
his meditations.
well, sir" she said, Il suppose
you have induced the wretched WON
am, whom YOU have ruined, to return
to her home? 1t would scarcely do to
have her in your tent when your wife
arrived, "
"Eh2 Woman l had in my tent2
Induced to go home" said Joseph,
with a puzzled look on her face.
What is this2 Pray go on. think
I'm beginning to understand you"
ooh, you are?' said Mrs. Grim.
80, you had lady in your tent this
morning, had you"
Yes, of course | had. How did
you kuow2n
"Whatl" exclaimed Mrs. Grim, in
shocked tone and with look of
horror, whats Do you confess your
perfdy in that barefaced and uEblush-
ing manner Why this is worse
than ever | thoaght you would at
least have the decency to be ashamed
of it.
Ashamed of what, Mrs. Grim2"
inquired Joseph.
ASHAMED of what2 Ashamed of
your conduct, sir How dare you
confess 50 boldly your iniquity to
your wifes own mother"
What the deuce are you thinking
aboutl | have confessed no I'M
putty.
"Oh, indeed so you consider that
it is not iniquitous to deceive a good
and trusting wife Z, | suppose that's the
way lawyers look at such matters. It's
just what one might expect of men
who don't see anything wrong in as
- l. g, a,