Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-10-29
Among the smiths.

Il must have been something out of
the common way that could throw a
sedate country merchant. pattern OF
propriety, and > leading citizen OF
marlborough, into such state.
Not 10 make q misery OF il, the
cause was simply this: On returning
from business trip, which had detained
him some days less than he had ex-
pected, Mr.. Smith found on his desk
among some letters brought from the
postoffice in his absence, one addressed
to "Mrs. John Smith" The "Mrs. T"
was not very plainly written, and
might readily have been mistaken for
"Mr" the reason, we surmise, why the
letter was left at the store instead o.
being carried directly to the house
It is possible that Mr.. Smith fell in
to a like error. or 1t may be, that he
took advantage of the ambiguous pre-
6x to crafty little harmless marital
curiosity; for, like other Smishs. he
was but mortal and not exempt from
human weakness.
However it came about, he opened
and read the letter.
1t thunderstruck him.
"My Life's Darling" it began, and
ended 'Your adoring Jack" Between
we're eudearing words OF fondness
which could have emanated only from
an ardent pen and devoted lover. A
photograph and $50 bill were en-
closed. The former, "Adoring Jack"
said, was to keep his stootsie- wootsie"
from forgetting him. and the latter
was merely triffle for present pocket
money. In few days he hoped he
would again see his ''deary, dear"
Mr.. Smith shook his fist at the
young. handsome face that peered
saucily at him from the little paste
board card
"Oh, you villainp' he growled
through his clenched teeth; ''you
thought to take advantage of my ab-
sence, but it was shorter than you
counted on, and | may yet be in time
to thwart the progress OF your devilish
plans" F."
Then jamming on his hat he strobe
rapidly in the direction of his blighted
home.
"Madam!" he exclaimed, polting in
to the presence of his astonished wife,
and fourlshing the obnoxious picture
before her eyes, edo you recognize
that?'
II do not she answered, with un-
feigned astonishment.
"sNor that, either. supposed" he
cried, frantically tossing her the Grim
mating letter.
s'Nor that, either" she replied, with
an undaunted look, after glancing
over the contents.
Such brazen effrontery drove him
to the verge of frenzy. He attempted
to tear his hair, but only brought
away the scratch that covered the
bald spot on his crown.
eFalse womanl' he exclaimed,
"dare you deny the proof of your
guilt? That letter came in an envelope
addressed to you, inclosing also this"
he continued, dashing on the floor the
counterfeit presentment of "Adoring
Jack" and grin1ing it under his heel;
aand this, too," he yelled, shaking the
$50 bill in her face, and then rending
it to atoms.
.sOh!" that's what yon mean, is it?'
Mrs. John Smith, compre-
hending at her husbands words ana
actions. Brute! monsterl IDIOT"
shrieked Mrs. John, who didn't do
things by halves, once she got on the
rampage.
am have the villains b!ood!'' roared
the infuriated husband.
s'Do, and be hanged!7 was the taunt-
ing retort.
''I'll not be hanged, either. to please
you, madam; PlL-l'll plead insanity"
s.And vel. you may!' sneered Mrs.
John, seeing you always were
fool
Maddened at his wife's hardihood in
facing down facts so unanswerable,
the unhappy Smith snatched up his
hat and rushed into the street.
7 As he hurried recklessly along, he
caught sight Of man ascending the
stoop Of a neighboring house. A
glimpse Of the strangers face brought
Smith to q halt. In it he recognized,
beyond mistake, the original of the
picture Of "Adoring Jack!a
For an instant Mr.. John Smith
stood like one petrifed. Then darting
up the steps, he entered the door at
the strangers back.
Say, I must have word with your
he said, in an angry, excited tone.
"WeIl sir, replied the other with
composure
ssDid you write that letter.
81 did" the stranger answered,
d crumpled paper showed in
it to his hand by MIR. Smith; nbut how
came it in your possessIon2'
"a cool question, truly2o exclaimed
the enraged husband.
aBesides, there was money and a
picture in it, continued the other, eye
=. y 4 = 80 -