The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-11-20
A HOLIDAY MYSTERY.

:, A nVLlDAI MlNlEkl.
4, MIR. Joseph Battledore and Mr.. Sam
uel Newell were old friends and cronies
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
accordingto custom, Mr.. Battledore
< stand Mr.. Newell remainedin town On the
plea Of business, running down to the
seaside from Saturday to Monday, and
occasionally staying fora few days at
time. The fact was that these old
gentlemen made business IN excuse fol
little mild dissipation in the absence
Of their excellent helpmates. The
ladies' naturally viewed the arrange
ment with some uneasiness, and each
had m uncomfortable suspicion that
the others husband might lead bel
spouse astray. But nothing ever trans
PRED of the, old gentlemen's proceed.
ings which was calculated to disturb do
nestle harmony, though they were both
subjected to a II gorous and search
ing cross examination during then
periodical visits to their families al
v the expiration, Of each week spent IL
= town.
Mr.. Battlcdore and Sam Newell-fo,
it would be atfectation to speak of him
= as Mr.. Samuel Newell, since everybody
called him Sam, though he was vel
past sixty-were seated after dinner
enjoying then 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
nelly over his shoulder in the sup.
oSed direction of Eastbourne ut is
tare holiday weather-mucll too hot fol-
town."
"Prccious slow at the seaside" re.
joined tho other, as he shifted at his
claret.
well, yes; certainly" acquiesced
Mr.. Battledorc.
Jolly in Paris, though I expect. "
suggested Sam. insidouslv.
"Hot," calculated Mr.. Battledore,
with an distracted air.
''Pooh! 1t was hotter than this when
ve went together three years ago and
set contrived to enjoy ourselves.
Mr.. Battlelore coughcd uneasily and
helped himself t, vino. The occasion
referred to called forth mingled re-
Elections. He and Sam Newell had
crossed tho Channel for short trip
with the full consent and appreciation
of their wives, and had what Il re Ameri-
cans call "a high old time" But after
their return Sam Newell, through I'M
duo appreciation Of his own claret, has
suffered himself to be beguled into maxi
ing unglur,led admissions of rather an
awkward nature, which he endeavored,
with only partial success, to explain
away the next morning. The wives &C.
cordingiy LAID their heads together, and
though no unplcasantness ensued, il
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
II couldn't get away" returned Mr..
Battledorc.
"Why?"
ooh! business, of course" answered
Mr.. Battlcdore.
wont do, Joey. Won't come the
numbug over me-" said Sam, with q
wink.
Mr.. Battlelore frowned slightly and
then suffered lis features to relax into
smile. He was rathera pompous and
1ignitied old gentleman, but lie knew
from experience that it was no use be-
ing pretentious with Sam.
my wife wouldn't hear Of it." he said
after pause. "I'm sure yours wouldn't
either"
<"Why should she?" inquired Sam,
with another wink.
CHI" exclaimed Mr.. Battledore,
starting.
"Lct us go and say nothing about it,
We could start to morrow morning and
como back on Friday night, in time to
20 to Eastlourne 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
rractic sSle on the face Of 1t, but he had
70 To 10 1x>+ 4
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
his wife was absent. Sam mightthere-
fore safely leave for week without fear
Of being betrayed. and this circumstance
removed great danger. There would
be- no difficulty as regarding his office,
FOR Mr.. BAttlcdore had an easy and &C
commolating partner, who could be
safely trusted to keep his secret. There
remained only conscientious scruples
abont decciving his wife, AMI these, sad
to relate, vanished like snow beneath a
noonllv sun as Sam proceeded to expa-
0iatc upon the attractions and gayeties
If the French capital,
The upshot was that Mr. Battledore
and Sam Newell started for Paris the
next morning and enjoyed their brief
trip amazingly-in an innocent fashion
enough, no doubt. They retur ned to
London on the Saturday morning as al
ranged, and were relieved to find that
no communication awaited either of
shem = ON their respective wives. In
The afternoon they took their usual
rain to Eastbourne, as though nothing
had 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 mlsgivings
were chiefly attributable to blister on
his nose caused by exposure to the sun,
and this troubled him good deal, es-
pecially as they approached their des-
tinatlon.
tWhat shall say if my wife notices
'it?" he Inquired, gazing apprehensive-
ly at himself in the polished case of his
watch.
"Oh! she won't notice it," said Sam
in his OFF, hand way.
"But supposing she does;;" insisted
Mr.. Bntticdore little irritably. "Cell
her you've been smelling fiat iron to
cure u cold," suggested Sam.
Thi. WOO all tho assistancn Mr. RATTLE