The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-09-05
From the New York Daily Hews.l
SMITHS WIFE.

Now, this was not by any means an
assertion sal generis. In fact, accord
ing to his own statement, John Smith
was tastonished" at his wife at least
once a day on an average. Mrs.
Smith was used to 1t.
She was a tall, slight woman, scarce
" more than a child in years, with
shining brown hair, large dark eyes,
and cheeks that had been as pink as sea
shells in thedays OF her happy maiden
life. They We're white and wasted
nova circumstance that might per-
haps be easily accounted for by the
little babe on her lap and the two
year old elf who was tottering about
the room in aimless pursuit OF kittens,
sunbeams, and other baby delights.
Things are all at skies and sevens,
went on Mr.. Smith, tying his cravat
before he mirror and yiciously
twitching it into a knot. Coal
wasted, butter thrown into the soap
grease jar, dish towels taken for stove
cloths, and my third best pants sold
to a dealer in tin-ware for a funnel
and two pie platters. A funnel, Mrs
Smith, and two pie platters, | never
heard anything 50 outrageous in my
life"
But. my dear, meekly interposed
the much enduring wife, I'VE needed
the tinware, and you had not worn
the garments for a year. They were
full Of moths"
There it is again, " said Mr. Smith.
The moths would never have got into
EN- il you had taken proper precau-
tlOns. never heard of q moth in my
mothers time. And now you are ac-
tually asking permission, to visit your
brother up the Hudson"
81 have not been away from home
before since We We're married, John, 5"
piteously said Mrs Smith II feel al
most worn out, and think the Change
would do me good.
And what is to become of me?"
generously demanded the husband.
Mrs. John Smith thought of the
days Masonic excursion last
week, the trout-fshing expedition
into the Catskilis a fortnight since, the
races at Jerome Park, and the drives
to High Bridge with Parker, Belts and
t'rlsbee in an open barOuche, all with
IN the month. But she said nothing
except
1T don't cost much to 90, John.
And I'll only stay away a week. Do
let me 90 The doctor says the fresh
air might help baby along with his
teeth, and little Johnny is dropping
this hot weather"
Well, said Mr.. Smith, as ungra-
ciously as possible, 4 suppose you'll
have to 90. Five dollars at least it
wIlIcost me, and altogether our ex-
penses are rulnOus this year. SeehOw
Georgana Trotter manages for her
husband. ! don't suppose it costs
Them hall to live that it does us. |
might have married GeOrgiana Trotter
once. | almost wish / had. !"
1t was on Mrs. Smiths lips to utter:
so do II But she looked at the little
children and was silent.
Yes. went on Mr. Smith: 4 sup
pose you must 30. Only, for PHYS
sake. don't get int o the habit OF run
running all the time. / needn't send
up anything from the butchers, | sup
pose? ! shall dine down town. and
there'll be enough left on the cold
knuckle OF yesterdays ham for you, -
Mrs. Smith abstained from remind
inc her husband that he had himself
breakfasted on the remains of the
nam. She only sighed and was silent.
It's his way. She thought. He
means we'll enough. And | suppose
all men are so. Only | wish he had
kissed me Cood-by :"
Woman nature all over, She could
do without her dinner cOntented. eat.
ing crust Of bread in the stead. but
her heart yearued hungriIy for the
omitted caresS, the ignored word OF
tenderness Poor Mrs. John Smith
How the strOng-minded of her sex
would have pitjed and despised her
No light, no fire, it was dreary
enough ON that chill August evening
a Mr.. Smith screwed the night key
INTO the latch and CROPPED his way il
the hall. He sat down in the bay
window and stared about the vacant
room. There was his wife's work
basket on the table her little rocking
chair standing vacant beside it, while
Iohnny's forgotten rattle lay on the
floor close by.
It's deuced lonely" muttered Mr..
smith, with something of shiver. Il
hope Jenny won't stay long"
And as he lighted his cigar and
winfield away, a guilty sense OF his
own Shortcomings came upon him.
1T must have been rather a STUPID
ilie Tor her here, poor little thing,'
thought he. Il might have come
nome early TO keep her COMPANY a
great many times when | didn't. She
oad TO sew a great deal for the chill
.iren. | wish ] had bought her a sew
ing machine when she asked for it.
Alhson used to bring up fruit and
flowers Tor his wife every, evening. |
wonder | never thought of If for len
ny. And, now | come to reflect upoD
the matter. Jenny has grown thin and
pale of late"
He moved his chair uneasily and
emitted a thread OF blue. spicy smoke
rom his lips very much as If he were
not enjoying 1t particularly.
II suppose they are at BiIbarrv
farm by this time. E" said he to him
sell Il suppose the Youngsters are in
Del and Jenny is sitting ont ON -ba
pare, listening 70 the whippoorwills.
US almost a mind to 90 out there TO-
morrow evening, and take some
peaches and bananas and things. It
would 0e a pleasant surprise for Jenny.
and-heIlO, What's that? A ring AT
the bell go
tinging his cigar into the unused
crate, John Smith shutiled along to
the door in his slippers.
Oh-a telegram, Now | wonder
VINO should telegraph to me-"
Wen, said the shivering and rain