The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-10-28
SMITHS WIFE.

"Mrs. Smith, am astonished at
YOU"
Now. this was not by any means an
assertion sui gcneris. In fact, accord
ing to his own statement, John Smith
was "astonished" at his wife at least
once day on IN average. Mrs. Smith
was used to it.
She was tall, slight woman, scarce
~ moro than child in years, with
shining brown hair, largo dark eyes,
and cheeks that had been as pink as
sea-shclls in tho days of her happy
maiden life. They werc wfite and
wasted nova circumstance that might
perhaps bo easily accounted for by the
lttlo babe on her lap and tho 2-year-
old OF who was tottering about tho
room in aimlcss pursuit Of kittons, sun
beams. and other baby delights.
"Ihings arc all at skies and scvens,"
went on MIR. Smith, tying his cravat
before tho mirror and viciously twist
ing 1t into knot Coal wasted, but
ter thrown into the soap-grcaso jar.
dish-towols takon for stove-cloths, and
my third-bost pants sold to deal
or in tinwaro for funnel and two pio-
platters! never hoard anything so
outrageous in my iiic."
"But, my dear" mcokly irtcrposed
tho much-cnduring wife, 'wc needed
tho tinware, and you had not worn tho
garments for ycar. They wcro full
of moths"
There it is again." said Mr.. Smith.
'Ihe moths would never havo got into
'em if you had taken proper precau-
tions. l ncyor hoard of moth in my
mothers time. And now you are act
ually asking permission to visit your
brother up tho Hudson"
II have not been away from homo
before since we werc married. john"
piteously pleaded Mrs. Smith. II feel
almost worn out, and think tho
change would do m, good"
"And what is to become OF mel"
sonorously demanded tho husband
Mrs. John Smith thought of the
days masonic excursion last week, the
trout-fshing expedition into tho Cats
kills fortnight since, the races at
Jerome Park. and tho drives to High
Bridge with Parker, Belts, and Frisbco
in an opon barouchc. all within the
month. But she said nothing except:
1T don't cost much to GO, John.
And HI only stay away n week. DO
lot mo go! The doctor says tho fresh
air might help baby along with his
teeth. and little Johnny is dropping
this hot weather"
We'll" said Mr. Smith. rs ungra-
ciously rs possible, IL suppose you'll
have to 60. Five dollars ut least 1t
will cost mo, and altogether our OK
!ponscs are ruinous this year. See how
'Georgiana Trottor maEages for her
husband. / don't suppose 1t costs
them half to live that it does us.
might have married Goorgiana Trotter
once. almost wish had. "
1t was on Mrs. Smiths lips to uttor:
$50 do II" But she looked at tho lit
tlo children and was silent
"Yes," went on Mr.. Smith; IL sup
pose you must 90. Only, for PHYS
sake, don't get into tho habit Of run
running all the timo. needn't send
up anythiug from the butchers, l sup
posep | shall dino downtown, and
there'll DO enough loft on tho cold
knuckle of yesterdays ham for you"
Mrs. Smith abstaincd from remind
ing her husband that he had himself
ibreakfasted on the romans of the ham.
She only sighed and was silent.
'It's his way" sho thought 'He
means we'll enough. And I suppose
oil men arc 50. Only wish no had
kissed me- g6od-byl"
Woman nature all over! She could
do without her dinner coDtented, oat-
ing a crust OF bread In stead. but her
heart yearncd hungrily for the omitted
caross, tho ignored word OF tenderness.
Poor Mrs. John Smith! How the
strong-mindod of her sex would have
pitied and dcspised her
No light! no iiro! 1t was droary
enough on that chill August evening,
as Mr.. Smith screwed tho night-key
into the latch and CROPPED his way In
tho hall. Ho sat down In tho bay-win-
dow and stared about tho vacant room.
There was his wifo's work-basket on
tho table, her little rocking-cbrir stand
Ing yacans beside 1t, while Johnny's
forgotten tattlo lay on tho floor clsse
hy.
cts douced lonely" muttered Mr..
Htslfb. with something of q shiver. 81
q k6pe Jenny won't stay song"
And is ho lighted his cigar and
ed away guilty sense OF his own
Sftpomings camo upon him.
S must have bocn rather o stupid
ear her here, poor iittlo thingr'
thought. II might have come
home early keep her company :
great p,any tIncs, didnI on, anc
S. ~ % sow a groaep4 10Y 10, sn" sam. @
nIen, lwish I had Sht hys = soW
M machine whom sASa Ss,,,,S ao ~ ~
na, nns,lson used TO briP y arsnina % I
owsfs for hia afsif AS h5y J, !, vsenias. ss.u
Wcnder IneSg Ael lsaVL Senay. Y =
Inatsess s gsa, i ! 4 min aud psl.