New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-04-14

that the binding was sadly strained,
and that was all he did about It,
Some three months later Shad was
surprised to learn that the court de-
clined to grant the decree. Jeru-
sha had been unable to prove
intolerable cruelty, or drunkenness. or
such other causes for divorce as are
set down in the statutes. But the
Litchfeld county lawyers were able
men In those times, and they bade
Jerusha to despair not. So-and this
much common repute sets down to be
a truth-one Of them, whose genius
| had overcome more difficulties than
one, induced the General Court, Or
Legislature. to add to the causes
wherefore divorces may be granted
this clause, ''Or such conduct as tends
to defeat the purpose OF the marriage
relation"
And with the blue bound copy OF
the new laws this lawyer went into
court and asked whether such con-
duct as the compulsion Of a wife to
ride behind horse, afflicted with the
blind staegers, to church, to the great
dread, modification, and suffering Of
! the wife, were not conduct sufficient
to defeat all harmonious marriage re-
lations. And the Court thought de-
cidedly it was, especially as Shad ap-
peared not in court to deny it.
Shad pursued his calm and patient
manner Of life in peace, but in course
OF a year or two it dawned upon
his neighb.rs that Shad Platt, despite
his peaceful ways and his humble man
ner, was a determined man. No
man could be found who in the long
run had worsted him. Thequiet man
ner in which he had eyened up with
the wicked horse dealer became known,
and there were hints that Shad was
we'll beforehand with the world, and
had obeyed the Scriptures. so that he
had increased his talent till it had be-
come ten talents. And his neighbors
sent him to represent them in the
legislature, and one day elected him
high sheriff Of the county, an honor OF
great esteem in those times.
Once a week Shad saw Jerusha. She
| sat in the Amen pew in the brick meet
| ing house, and he was seated where he
must behold her, and he always spoke
pleasantly to her at the incoming, say.
ing: "I'm glad @see you looking SO
we'll, Jerusha."
One winters night there had been a
donation party at the parsons and
Jerusha was there and Shad, and when
it came time to depart, was it not
Shad that observed that, whereas all
the others were going away in sleighs,
Jerusha must needs walk? So hetook
her gently by the arm and led her to
his sleigh, which was fine one, richly
painted, and stuffed with heavy robes,
and, before the woman realized it,
there she was in the sleigh, we'll tucked
in, with Shad by her side, flying over
the snow like the wind, and she per-
ceived how powerful he was, and how
he mastered the spirited horse, and
how gently, though firmly, he spoketo
the animal.
."The horse hasn't got the blind stag
gers. Jerusha," said he at length, smil-
ing quietly. "Shall 1 give HIM the
bit?''
eyes, il you wish
They flew so she could not see, and
had to hold her breath, aud she per-
ceived that Shad, to hold her firmly,
had passed his arms about her, with
a respectful but powerful embrace,
Nor did she shrink away.
'tShall we ride further?" he asked
eyes," she said in allow voice. eyes,.
it seems
"Seems what?"
cit seems so much like counting,
Shad"
eve never did much counting, Jeru-
sha. That was the trouble, | guess.
Let's begin now. knew all along we
should, sooner later. Didn't your"
II kinder hoped so, Shad."
| And after taat he paid his court to
| her like q young lover, for he had
learned her merit, and perceived that
at last she loved him, as he had al
ways her, and she, with what Joy she
now saw her lever as he was, and with
what reproaches and modification she
recalle1 her blindness.
He lived with: her forty years, and
five sons and daughters had they, and
when he died she could not stay with
out him, and lay down and followed
him within a month.
Thus it happened, though twice d.
vorced and thrice married, Shadrach
Platt had only one wife, and with her
found peace and joy.-New York Sun,
| E. j. f.
A Grecian Bathing-E,oom.