The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-09-25
C0URTING AGAIN.

Hreamed of a visit to Chautauqua
"spen be found himself at that Mecca
o5 deyout eXcursionists, the brawny
Hlan was tempted to doubt his own
iaentity. The holiday surroundings
were wholly unlikeanything to which
re was accustomed in his prosy New
hpgland home; the rich, crowded
programme offered was in striking
contrast to the dull mOnotony of
farm life. When this son of toll first
entered the auditorium, and saw the
rustic amphitheater crowded with
thousands of people listening breath
lessly to the full, sweet toue of the
grand organ, his ramped, selfish heart
was strangely touched and expanded.
hefal instant the wish crept in that
( kssse5sa kosl Esgaai " asss. wgtifa not
like TO come, too. But there was not
much time for his own thoughts, for,
as the music ceased, a white-haired
gentleman arose, and announced the
name Of an orator who is well known
from Maine to California.
"Well, now, it beats all to think
Pm going TO hear the man I've wan
ted to hear more'n twenty years."
Farmer Tucker whispered to himself.
The lecturer commenced his brief ad-
dress with one OF his inimitable de-
scriptiOns. The story was of a man
who applied for a divorce, and was
advised by his eminent lawyer to try
the effect of making love to his wife,
as he bad done before marrying her,
instead of resorting to the measure
he ha( proposed. 1t included, also,
an account of a late visit, when the
happy husband withdrew his appli.
cation, and, fairly dancing with glee,
assured the lawyer that his expert
ment lad worked like q charm that
sally had become as amiabIe and
affectionate a wife as man could ask
to have" His representation of the
scene dew forth long applause. but
Samuel fuckers interest was of too
serious nature to permit him to join
in the laughter, AS if unconscious
for mQment of the multitude about
him, heIsaid, III an undertone: "I'd
be willing TO take my oath that that
wouldn't work with Jane. All !
have to say is, that mans wife is diff.
ferent from mine; I'd as soon think
Of feeding serrup to mummy as tC
begin sparkling again with her."
At length he quieted his conscience
with the determination to prove that
his estimate of his wife was correct
"When l go home" he said to him.
self, "l'Il just show the woman some
little attentions, and III see they
won't have any more effect on hel
than they would on the old bay mare
James bound to be sullen and Obsti
nate, and | suppose [ may as wei
make up my mind to it,"
| On reaching home the resolution
was not easily carried out. Wher
Mr.. Tucker planned some gallantry
toward his wife, the very thought
made HIM feel so unnatural and fool.
ish that postpOnement resulted bu
the Sabbath offered an opportunity
that he improved.
The farm was nearly a mile from
church, yet Samuel Tucker had fol
years been in the habit of drivins
home alone, leaving his wife to attend
the Sunday School, and then walk
home, as best she could, through muC
or dust. Great was Mrs. Tucker,
establishment, therefore, on the Sab
bath after his return, to find hin
waiting for her at the close Of tht
| Bible service. The faintest suspicion
| that he had driven back TO churcF
for her did not cross the good wO
mans mind ; she supposed he haC
business with some of the brethren
and hesitated whether to walk on a
usual or to suggest waiting for him
when the farmer called out, 'It's jus
as cheap TO ride as to walk" Silently
the woman took her seat in the bugg.
and silently they drove home, mucl
to the husbands satisfaction, for
seemed to him proof of the woman
dull, inappreciatiye nature. "Sh
didn't act pleased, bat was only daZet
like, as / knew she would be-" h
muttered, as he went about the mid
day "chores."
AT the same time Mr.. Tucker wa
conscious of having performed mos
praiseworlhy act. and felt so comfort
able that he resolved to repeat th
experiment.. So, on the following
Sabbath, Jane found her HUSBAND
again in waiting, and. as she mount
ed the high buggy, ventued to ute
a half audible THANK YOU" and t.
ask Samuel if he had been waiting