The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-12

W
to act Just as if the lady were here in
person and your lawfully-wedded
wife"
"Whose name are you going to write
on the cardP" said 1.
'Never mind," said she. 81 will
write my preference, and neither of us
will breathe word about this to a
living soul.
We agreed. on this. Mother wrote
the name on the card and sealed it in
the envelope. | knew it was Vene
Wright's name, so decided to imagine
that Vene was there in person, and so
| we started on the week. Monday night
came. That was the night of the
Bachelors German, but L staid at
home and talked to mother. Then
played eucher with her for a
while, and we managed to have a very
enjoyable evening. Next morning
mother met me at the table with smiles,
and about the best breakfast l had
eaten in long while.
'"You must imagine that your wife
saw to this breakfast" she whispered.
GoinS up on the street-car that
morning, 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
| happened to think of my imitation
wife at home. and walked to the rear
| of the car.
married men have no business
talking to young ladies. said | to my
self
Miss Beaufort looked at me rather
! queerly, but said nothing, and thought
the car never would get up town.
| Thursday was my evening to call on
| Vene, and forgot to send her an eX-
| cuse. 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. 1t was a tender missive, and
somewhat surprised me when | saw it..
But what could do. Married men
have no business getting tender notes
from young ladies. Inasmuch as had
contracted to carry out mothers plan
for two weeks, l left the note for
mother to answer. She is very
truthful woman, but in answering the
note she prevaricated. She said that /
was very sick, and as a natural conse-
quence Vene called that afternoon to
see me, but | was up town and mother
had to invent another story Then
mother had tocome all the way up town
so as to keep me from coming down
town my usual way for fear Vene
might catch us. laughed good deal
/ Of III ~ f,,,1
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
! invited her to stay awhile.
81 suppose Mr.. Silver is almost worn
out with so much going out, said the
young lady.
"He is much BETTER said mother,
"but do not think he will 90 out fol
several weeks. / think | shall keep him
at home"
~ am so glad" said Miss Beaufort
mot that you are going to keep him al
home, but that he is not going out sc
much. | am getting so | fairly detest
society,"
Here was woman who had my
mothers views, and they both, there
upon, had a confidential talk, and
pleased each other nightly.
Then she asked mother to call on hel
mother, and. this mother did. Mean
while | was staying home every even
ing and was getting pretty tired of il
as the two weeks were drawing to {
close.
Don't you think a man ought to take
his wife out once in awhilep" said tt
mother.
"Why notpn said she.
"Then I'll take her to the theater to
night" So bought a couple of re
served seats in the parquet for Satur
day night, and mother, who repre-
sented my wife. went with me.
We had hardly taken our seats before
/ noticed that they were adjoining those
of Miss Beaufort and her mother. My
mother was highly pleased when W.
changed seats so that sat by Miss Beau
fort and my mother sat by her. We wen
home together that night and laughed
and talked good deal. | think
lHOUIeE UOlu MIS-. DedulOII Wudb WI
had been doing, but | did not hear it.
knew that several days later, after my
two weeks of married life were over,
went to call on Miss Beaufort. We haC
a pleasant time together, and just as
was about to leave, the old lady came in
81 forgot to ask you, Mr.. Silver
what you thought of married lifeP" sale
she.
Miss Beaufort looked Mortified, but
laughed.
"Mother has been telling on me, has
she?" said /.
"She has" said She
"Well,' said /, '''during the tive
weeks 1 was married. l read three gooC
books, gained four pounds in weight
and saved eighteen dollars and forty
cents, besides paying my wife's board
and ticket to the theater.'
"And who were you married TOP
asked Mrs. Beaufort.
81 forgot to look" said |. hurried
home to see who my wife had been
The envelope was just as placed it il
my desk drawer.
tore it open and there was the nam'
of Miss Beaufort.
"Well," said |, "mother made he
an imitation wife, now l will try t,
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