Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-06-03

4
she was too frank.
Next day l told mother about it. She
said that she admired Miss Beaufort for
her common sense, if she hadn'tseen her.
Then she referred to my getting married
again.
| Suppose said she, "you pretend for
week or SO that you are married, and
see how it goes"
An imitation wife, . said /.
"Why not2' said she. II will write
the name Of a young lady on card, seal
it in an envelope, and you can lock it in
your desk. Then let us suppose that
you are married to her say for two weeks.
During that time | want you to act just
as if the lady were here in person, and
your lawful y-wedded wife. =
sWhose name are you going to write
on the card, said /.
Never mind, said she. II will
write my preference, and neither Of us
will breathe word about this to living
SOUL
We agreed on this. Mother wrote the
name on the card and sealed it in an
envelope knew it was Vene Wright's
name, SO / decided to imagine that Vene
was there in person, and 50 we started
out the week.
Monday night came. That was the
night of the Bachelors German, but I
staid at home and talked to mother.
Then I played euchre with her for a
while, and we managed to have very
enjoyable evening.
Next morning mother met me at the
table with smiles, and about the best
breakfast / had eaten in long while.
s'You must imagine that your wife saw
to this breakfast, . she whispered.
Going up on the street car that morn
ing, who should get on but Miss Beaufort.
l bowed to her gracefully, deposited her
fare in the nickel box, and was about to
sit down by her when I happened to
think of my imitation wife at home, and
walked to the rear of the car.
''Married men have no business talking
to the young ladies, said to myself.
Miss Beaufort looked at me rather
queerly, hnt said nothing, and l thought
the car never would get up town.
Thursday was my evening to call on
Vene, and forgot to send her an excuse.
Friday, came note from her, which
mother took the liberty Of opening, as
she thought | would not care, and she
felt like representing my wife in the
desk. TWAS tender missive, and some
what surprised me when I saw it. But
what could I do Married men have no
business getting tender notes from young
ladies. Inasmuch as l had contracted to
carry out mothers plan for two weeks. I
left the note for mother to answer. She
is a very truthful woman, but in answer
ing the note she Trevaricated.
She said that was very sick, and as a
natural consequence yene called that
afternoon to see me, but I was up town
and mother had to invent another story.
Then mother had to come all the way up
town so as to keepme from coming down
town my usual way for fear Vene might
catch me-
I laughed good deal at mother, and
vene did not find us out, but the society
reporter Of the paper met her, she told
him was sick, and the next day all of
my society friends came around, among
them Miss Beaufort.
Mother met her rather coldly. but in
yited her to stay awhile.
II suppose Mr.. Silver is almost worn
out with 50 much going out" said the
young lady.
'sHc is much better, " said mother,
"but do not think he will go out for
several weeks. l think shall keep him
at home"
II am so glad," said Miss Beaufort,
'not that you are going to keep him at
home. but that he is not going out so
much. I am getting SO I fairly detest
society,"
Here was woman who had my
mothers views, and they both, there
upon, sat down and had a confidential
talk, and pleased each other nightly.
Then she asked mother to call on her
mother, and this mother did,
Meanwhile was staying home every
evening, and getting pretty tired Of it as
the two weeks were drawing TO close.
'Don't you think man ought to take
his wife out once in while2" said / to
mother
.sWhy not?n said she.
"Then I'll take her to the theatre
tonight" So bought couple of re-
served seats in the parquet for Saturday
night, and mother, who represented my
wife, went with me.
We had hardly taken our seats before
Inoticed that they were adjoining those
Of Miss Beaufort and her mother. Ny
mother was highly pleased when we
changed seats 50 that sat by Miss Beau
fort, and my mother sat BY hers.
We went home together that night
and laughed and talked good deal
I think Mother told Mrs. Beaufort
what we had been doing, but / did not
hear it. know that several days later,
after my two weeks Of married life were
over, went to call on Miss Beaufort
We had q pleasant time together, and
just as was about to leave, the old lady
came in.