The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28
A WRErcHED MAN,
And a Woman Who Pressed Her Lipa
 Upon a Fevsrish Brow.

upon . FeVeFASn 6toW.
 When Mir. Bobbington Grappin awoss, he saw his wife sitting by the stove. Grappin had come in late, and was at the time, unsteady and very much itali- cised. He had slipped into bed without having aroused his wife, he knew, and now, as he lay with his hands under his head, contemplating the fair woman and musing on the good fortune of his escape. he decided that after all the fates which from childhood we are taught to deem cruel, sometimes look with com- passionate eyes upon the wsyward steps of an American citizen. His recollection was vague, shadowy and worn out in places. He coald remember getting on q car, but he knew not how he got into the house, yet he must have done 90 skiilfully. He was sick-sick in that ter. rible dread, that awful expectancy of a momentary upheaval.
 "Well," said Grappin, yawning, abe. lieve I'll get up. feel irst.rate this morning"
 Oh, what liar.
 "Yes, feel 6rdsd rade-" He" gagged " aud for a moment remained silent. " Worked pretty late last night" he con. tinued when he had regained little of his lost confidence, "and didn't think that would feel 50 we'll this morning, but do."
 "I am glad to hear it," his wife cheer fully replied.
 Just then Grappin caught sight of his boots, covered with mud, and he grew co sick shat it was some time before he could continue the interesting conver. sation.
 "Some time ago 1 feared tha, 1 vas suffering from the effect of overwork, but 1 am glad 10 see that have such a good constitution. Glad that l got so much work done last night. AS was coming along hobe--" He had to stop again. "As was coming along home l saw a poor little boy stuck in the mud. Wsded out and released him. That's what made my boots so muddy"
 @What made your coa. 50 muddy ?" asked his wife.
 "Hah Y was the only reply he could make, when he looked across the room and saw his coat hanging on the back of chair. It looked as though 1t had been dragged through swamp.
 "Took the boy on my sho-shoulder." 1" faltssed Mir. Crappin.
 "You must take me for a fooi," said his vie.
 "Oh, no, never took you for a fool Smartes9 woman l ever saw"
 "Wsll. what's the use Of trying to fool me. then1"
 @Fool yous Why wouldn't try to fool yod."
 "Do yoa know what time 1t was when you came home ?"
 "'Bout ten o'clock"
 "It was nearly daylight. had gotten up and made fire. heard you trying to open the gate and went out. found you on top of the fence. Said that you had got up there to keep from getting your fees wet. You fell down three times before you could get into the house, and now you lie there and tell me how well you feel. don't care fl you are sick l: It's good enough for you"
 Cant man come home without be- ing scolded p he piteousIy whined. !" Only took one drink because 1 was afraid of pneumonia, and here you are scolding me. Don't think am going to live very long, no how"
 "I kno~ you won't, if you keep on drinking ike you are doing nov."
 You talk like am drunkayd."
 Si don't know what else you could l call yourself. The sooner you go the better t will be for all of us."
 SThsre you go, wishing l was dead" he bIabbered. "Neves expected to live l b sse this day. Nobody in this world l cares anything for me. Used to be loved l but ain't nov. Nobody1l care when m gose."
 "Whst is this~ she asked, taking up | 'Ouething from the floor. 2 z !:1= =>-e s.e=sAs =. Ne-er tno irsnk tc think of yoa. Thought ros-"
 sTbsse, dear, don't talk thstawsyjs