Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-09
From the London TRUTH
A HOLIDAY MYSTERY.

A - SIAC4 - - LII - ~ - 1AS -
Mr.. Joseph Battledore and Mr.. Sam
Uel Newell were old friends and
cronies, and what was rather wonder
full, their respected 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
friendship and goodwill, and not I'M
frequently went to the same holiday
resort for their summer vacation.
This year they took adjoining houses
at Eastbourne, and, according to GUS
tom, Mr.. BattledOre and Mr.. Newell
remained In town on the plea of bust
ness running down to the seaside from
Saturday to Monday, and occasional
The fact was, that these old gentle
men made business an excuse for a
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
transpired of the old gentlemen's pro-
ceedings which was calculated to dis
turb domestic harmony, though they
were both subjected to rigorous and
searching cross examination during
their periodical visits to their families
at the expiration of each week spent
IN town.
Mr.. Battledore and Sam Newell
for it would be affectation to speak OF
aim as Mr.. Samuel Newell. since every
body called him Sam, though he was
well past 6O-were seated after dinner
enjoying their wine one Monday even
ing having returned from East
bourne III the morning, when Mr. Bat
tiedore remarked:
"I'm not sure they haven't got the
best Of it down there" nodding vague
ly over his shoulder in the supposed
direction of Eastbourne. cit is rare
holiday weather-much too hot for
town"
t'Precious slow at the seaside" re-
joined the other, as he shifted at his
claret.
"Well. yes; certainly" acquiesced
Mr. Battledore.
tJolly in Paris, though, | expect, +"
suggested Sam, insidiously.
"Hot!" calculated Mr.. Battledore,
with an abstracted air.
"Pooh 1t was hotter than this
when we went together three years
ago, and yet we contrived to enjoy
ourselves"
Mr.. Battledore coughed uneasily,
and helped himself to wine. The oc-
casion referred to called forth mingled
reflections. He and Sam Newell had
crossed the Channel for short trip
with the full consent and approba-
ton OF their wives, and had 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
5eguiled into making unguarded admis-
sions of rather an awkward
nature, which he endeavored, with
with only partial success, to
explain away the next morning.
The wives accordingly laid their heads
together, and though no unpleasant
ness ensued, it was taci+ly understood
that an edict had gone forth which
teFectually banished from the breasts
of the delinquents the smallest hope
OF ever being again allowed TO visit
the Continent without an escort
~ feel very much inclined to run
across" said Sam Newell, tenta-
lively.
81 couldn't get away returned Mr..
BattIedore.
"Wny?"
"Oh! business, of course" answered
Mr.. Battledore.
"Won't do, Joey Don't come the
humbug over me, }" said Sam, with a
wink.
Mr.. Battledorefr owned slightly, and
then suffered his features TO relax into
d smile. He was rather pompous
and dignified old gentleman, but he
knew from experience that 1t was no
use being pretentious with Sam.
"My wife wouldn't hear Of it," he
said, after a pause. "Im sure yours
wouldn't either
"Why should she?" inquired Sam,
with another wink
CHI" exclaimed Mr.. BattIedore,
starting.
"Let us go and say nothing about it..
We could start to morrow morning
and come back Friday night, in time
to go to Eastbourne as usual. We
should get three clear days over
there"
Mr.. Battledore leaned back in his
chair, fairly amazed by this audacious